Monsoon, I am new to posting here, but not new to watching. When I hear or see people comment on the failings of CATS and/or the City to bring rail transit to the North and Northeast Corridors in a more timely manner, it disappoints me that they don't see a larger picture. I'm not going to compare NCDOT to CATS, because I would agree that the two are apples and oranges. However, what I will say is that NCDOT's mission is to open the hose and push as many people back and forth as possilbe along a stretch of pavement (or water as you've pointed out). In comparison, what CATS and our City's Planning Dept. have absolutely done right is that they recognized in the late '90s, when they were planning a comprehensive mass transit system, that land-use planning was as important as the transporting of a rider from one end to the other. Rail transit foes would point to the fact that light rail does not pay for itself. I would say first that this is not the point. But, I would also say, that the statement is also false. Because we have married land-use planning with our transit plan, we have effectively catalyzed transit-oriented real estate development up and down our South Corridor. Anyone who believes the type of development we are seeing along the LYNX Blue Line comes automatically with light rail development would benefit from visiting other cities, which have built transit, and have struggled with creating the proper zoning to procure the types of projects that stand the test of time around their transit stations. It's probably also appropriate to point out that none of the currently constructed projects (or those under construction) along the South corridor have required public dollars in the way of public financing, bond issues or rebates of any sort to make them feasible. However, it is my hope that the City will consider TIF and TIF-like proposals in the future to create even more density around stations.
CATS has a plan to develop the entire rail, streetcar and BRT integrated system - it's called the 2030 Plan. Perhaps you mean they do not have a complete understanding of how it will be funded. If that's the point of your statement, ok. Although, I don't think there is much point in arguing it. With each new administration (we will see 4-7 new administrations by 2030 depending on re-elections), and each new Congress (even more by 2030), come different opportunities.
Ron Tober inept? - you lost me there. If you asked transit CEOs across the country, they would tell you exactly the opposite. Did you know that Ron Tober was inducted this fall into the North Carolina Transportation Hall of Fame? Here's a list of their current advisory board...
Ted Alman, NCDOT Aviation Division
Greg Dean, NC Concrete Pavement Association
Mary Meletiou, NCSU-ITRE
Miriam Perry, NCDOT Public Transportation Division
Pat Simmons, NCDOT Rail Division
It appears that several members of the organization, in which you place so much pride, feel largely the same way about Mr. Tober. There are approximately 40 inductees to the NCTHF. You may recognize a couple of them. If you live in NC, a picture of their plane is on your license plate.
Mr. Tober has been courted by several major metropolitan transit authorities and quasi-governmental transit entities like CATS to assist them, because of the successful development of the South Corridor. I'm sure that you read this week in the paper that Ron is leaving his post as director of Charlotte Trolley, to go back to Seattle to help them plan and organize an $18 billion dollar expansion of their transit system, for which they passed a sales tax during the November election. He is somewhat of a guru among transit officials across the country. You don't get that reputation without being competent and effective.
As to building the North line years ago, I'm not sure what your opinion is on how it could have been funded. That aside, there are 4 other municipalities (if you include Mooresville), all of which must cooperate to develop the project. Creating a land-use plan that is effective, protective, and addresses each community's own characteristics is a lengthy and challenging process. That having been completed, at least one town remains apprehensive about the value that rail transit will bring to their community.
Deciding on Northeast over North has less to do with popularity and more to do with ridership. I hope you would agree that obtaining federal dollars for either or both projects would be a welcome event. Very shortly after federal dollars were granted to build the South Corridor, those ridership requirements increased. Despite your politics, with the new administration, there are likely to be more dollars available for projects like the North & Northeast Corridors and the Streetcar Line, although I'm forming the opinion that the first dollars available to us will go to adding value to the existing South Corridor (longer platforms, trains, etc....).
Getting off-topic, now is the time to develop the main section of the Streetcar Line through Uptown Charlotte. It is far less expensive, the City owns all of the ROW it needs to do it, and there are private partners who would likely assist in the funding. Plus, we have the rolling stock available to begin operation tomorrow.
