Historical April 1997 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Dear Editor, By both national and local measures MetroLink as it exists today is a great example of a successful light rail system.
In contemplating expansion of our current system I think it is important that we review the reasons why MetroLink has become such a success and apply these same criteria to any proposed expansion.
The current MetroLink alignment carries in excess of 40,000 passengers per day – more than twice as many as was predicted in the original estimates of ridership. MetroLink provides a quick, direct, and frequent mode of transportation that is auto competitive to most of the point to point destinations it serves.
The system is quick and efficient and therefore it is able to gain riders because of its outright speed and convenience for the everyday commuter.
As a matter of fact MetroLink has actually enhanced bus ridership by creating a new backbone to a bus system that has been improved through truncation into and from the MetroLink core.
I support MetroLink’s extension into Clayton along the Northern Route north of the park along Forest Park Expressway/Millbrook because it most closely reflects the already proven characteristics of successful Light Rail in our community.
The local Metropolitan Planning Organization(East-West Gateway Coordinating Council) has commissioned a study that shows the northern route to cam/ in excess of One Million more passengers per year than either of the two southern route alternatives being considered.
This is due In a large part that through the Northern Route’s speed and convenience to the major job centers of our area it is able to attract more daily riders.
The Northern route would also cost approximately $170 Million dollars less to construct and $1.1 Million dollars less per year to operate. Currently Proposition M funds could support the money needed to construct the Northern Route and its operation.
In the absence of any further Federal funding appropriations (highly likely given the current state of affairs in Washington), both Southern Route alternatives are simply unaffordable. Therefore, if we would like to see expansion of MetroLink within any reasonable time frame the Northern Route is the only choice. Funding the Northern Route exclusively through local funds would allow us to avoid most of federal red tape and this could accelerate the construction schedule tremendously.
It is possible that we could have the Northern Route expansion in service by 2001-2002! Since the Northern Route would travel below grade in an open cut and fully covered beneath Skinker and Big Bend the negative impacts to our neighborhood would be minimal.
As a matter of fact there exists no evidence that a Light-Rail system has had negative effects on property values in comparable neighborhoods nationwide and several studies point to increases in property values.
The Northern route would bring our community a true alternative to auto dependancy and could help return our neighborhood to a more pedestrian atmosphere which will enhance our image of a vibrant, forward thinking community. Taulby Roach 6205 McPherson Taulby Roach lives in SD and is a Member of Citizens for MetroLink.
This group meets the first Mon. of the month at 6:00 at Blueberry Hill.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April 1997.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1997_04.pdf, printed page(s) 5; PDF page(s) 5.
