[PRCo] Houston Light Rail

[AProchek at aol.com]

Well, they are testing out our new light rail system in Houston.  Its beautiful, the catenary is so unobtrusive you can hardly tell its there (unlike Pittsburgh's ode to the steel industry). real brick pavers in the street. I love rail, but I am still not sure it makes sense here, we're just not a public transit kinda town.  Also they put it along a main street corridor from downtown, thru the medical center, to the stadium, and I don't think many people will use it as a regular commuter line.  Maybe for occasional trips to the doctor or once a week to the stadium (for 3 months).  It really needs to radiate out into the suburbs with park and ride lots, and that's on the table but the expense is horrific.  Plus I don't think its going to get a good rep - it hasn't opened yet and we've already had three (maybe 4) vehicle accidents.  I think the first one was with a reporter who was sent to cover it!  We have this insane "no left turn" rule when you are on main street (yes, you have to right turn yourself around a block to go left), and people don't abide by it and do a left turn into an oncoming train. The planners are all upset that people can't read the no left turn signs, but really why is it so unexpected that people would instinctively try to turn in a direction that's allowed on every other street in the nation?  It also moves pretty fast and silent, and its along the party/club route in downtown.  Its going to take some getting used to but believe me, people will die, and I am afraid sooner rather than later.