urban980

You would think that the expected surge in ridership due to the NE extension would be explanation enough. Crosstown riders could push the current LYNX line to well over 20,000 daily riders. The entire 20 mile line could do as much as 40,000 daily riders. 2,000 passengers per mile is not bad for a light rail line. It has also been said that the NE line may not get built. The truth is that CATS is gonna build the NE line if nothing else. This much I know from a very reliable source (which I won't name). This whole "if it gets built" argument is an attempt to warm the public up to the possibility of more transit funding. CATS is looking at several "creative" ways of funding Charlotte's massive 9 billion dollar transit plan. The 1/2 cent sales tax is proving not to be reliable in this economy. Things such as vehicle sales tax and additional vehicle registration fees are some of the things they are looking at. These things (to my knowledge) does not require a public vote. Only elected officials vote on these issues.

Yeah, you're right about that one. I just know that CATS is reducing their fare inspector budget. That is why we see less inspectors on the train. Since upgrading the stations would be so costly, I can see why CATS is using the honor system. I guess CATS would not need to change over to turnstiles. On another note, does anybody know when CATS is gonna start retrofitting the current stations to 3-car train status? I know the NE line will feature 3-car train length platforms. It would be silly to turn around a southbound 3-car train after 9th street (or uncouple one car from that train). Sorry if this question has been answered already in this thread, but I am new and I haven't read all previous pages.

One word. COST lol!!! Also, it is more difficult to stop free loaders on an "at-grade" Station as a opposed to an underground or above ground station. Turnstiles alone would not be effective. CATS would have to invest more money into the overall design of the stations in order to make free loading more difficult. They figured that fare inspectors and a $50 citation would be cheaper. I think they are wishing now that they had just gone with the turnstiles and a more securely designed station. I expect CATS to convert the LYNX system over to turnstiles before the NE line is built. They will probably do this at the same time they extend the current South corridor platforms to the required 300 plus feet to support 3-car trains.

Rail transit down South Blvd has been a thought every since the 80s when Sue Myrick was Charlotte's mayor. Actually, it was first recommended back in 1984 that a line should go from Charlotte to UNCC. At any rate, Charlotte has been thinking of rail for the last 3 decades. Rail is not a new idea for Charlotte at all. It is just newly built. Also, I grew up in a low income neighborhood near New Bern Station. Take my word for it. Light Rail and Charlotte's trolley changed that side of town. Nobody desired the South End area before the promise of trains. Heck, before trains it wasn't even called South End. It was just a grimy old warehouse district east of Wilmore. I think CATS is focusing on the late evening trains (7 pm to 11 pm). Those are the trains that I see inspectors on most times.

I used to live in Ashford Place which is not far from your rentals. Several of my neighbors (including myself) moved there because of the convience of light rail. There is a new apartment community near Arrowood on Old Pineville that is attracting people because of light rail also. There is also a major development at Arrowood by the Harris Group. Here is an article on this (sorry if this is old news). http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/charlotte.../19/story1.html http://charlotte.bizjournals.com/charlotte.../27/focus1.html Here is that site plan

I was not showcasing Belgate as an example of urbanity because it is far from it lol. It is however an example of what may draw folks to the light rail line. Few folks shopping at Ikea will use the train for obvious reasons. Many folks that work in this area will probably come in by train. The #11 North Tryon bus (the route that currently runs the NE corridor) is one of CATS heaviest bus routes. Ironically, the number 12 and 24 bus routes (the routes that used to run the South corridor) had high ridership too before the light rail was built. Thanks to the bus routes, CATS already knows where the trains need to go. What is most interesting is the # 9 (Central Avenue/Eastside) is and has been CATS most popular bus route for years. I believe the #9 bus carries nearly 1.5 million passengers per year. I really wish Belgate was more urban. I do believe that the NE corridor will bring in at least 30,000 new daily riders to CATS overall system. The NE corridor has more destinations than the current south corridor (ie UNCC, University Hospital, IKEA).

This development near IKEA is just one of many reasons why this line must go past Sugar Creek. Sorry about it's large size on the page but I wanted the details to be visible. BELGATE: In addition to IKEA, the developers plan 390,000 square feet of anchor stores, junior anchors and shops; 50,000 square feet of office-service space, 50,000 square feet of restaurants, 360 residential units and two hotels

I only have videos, not pictures. I hope my videos are not off topic for this thread? Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy!!! New Years Train