Detroit light rail plan scrapped

[susanna]

From the Free Press:

http://www.freep.com/article/20111213/BUSINESS06/111213071/Detroit-light-rail-plan-dead-buses-will-used-instead?odyssey=mod|breaking|text|FRONTPAGE

I'm speechless, but feel free to comment.

[rogerballard]

1. I am speechless and saddened...

Detroit has been and always will be a great city. I remember when the people mover was put in place and I thought how cool is this? So much music, good food and culture. I was born in Pontiac and lived all around the state, I moved to Colorado because I needed more sunshine. I have lived and worked all over the state of Michigan and when I first heard about light rail I thought this is just what Detroit needed. I check the Freep everyday to stay in touch and this was the headline...WTF? The Chrysler commercials make me both proud and homesick. Brings a tear to my eye every time I see a MADE IN DETROIT ad. Thank you and everyone else who love Detroit and are proud of it. I have not posted much but when it comes to Michigan and Detroit I need to speak out.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

2. It's a little bit disappointing

A light rail line might be sort of nice, but if limited to Woodward from 8-mile to Jefferson, it could only server a small percentage of Detroiters, and however many Oakland County residents who could park at the 8-mile terminal.

If the money is diverted to improved and expanded bus service along all the big artery roads, this might serve many more people more quickly. The suburbs have expanded beyond current bus routes, so jobs at those more distant suburbs are unavailable to Detroit residents who don't have reliable personal transport.

The limited light rail was a gamble, possibly being useful, but just as likely to have the same dismal ridership as the People Mover, or the ill-fated "Down to Cobo and Back Trolley". It might have just been a cute money drain. Buses are actually used.

I wonder what specific improvements to the bus systems are being dreamed up.

[Motown_Johnny]

3. well, you run the first one from Jefferson to 8 mile up Woodward

Then you run one from Woodward up Gratiot to 8 mile and then the third one up 8 mile from Gratiot to Woodward.

Once the loop is complete you can start expanding on it.