From The City Fix:
On Tuesday night, PBS premiered the latest installment of its Blueprint America series on the challenges of renewing America’s decaying infrastructure. (We mentioned it the other day in our post about America 2050.) The newest episode, “Beyond the Motor City,” is a broad look at our country’s transportation history through the lens of the experience of Detroit, a city once renowned for its auto manufacturing and now for its extreme deterioration. A compelling mix of documentary filmmaking and advocacy, the episode lays out Detroit’s urban and transportation problems while examining the federal role (or lack thereof) in transportation throughout American history.
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You can also view the documentary in its entirety at OnTrac’s Resources page.
From The Huffington Post:
One of the Capitol Hill newspapers estimated that I’ve taken more than 7,000 round trips on Amtrak over the course of my career. But the one I made on Jan. 17, 2009 was a bit different. When I got there, there were 8,000 people standing in the freezing cold. And I wasn’t racing to reach the 7:46 a.m. Metroliner (later, the Acela) that I had taken thousands of times before.
I was meeting up with the train that would carry President Obama and me to our inauguration.
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From The Topeka Capital Journal:
A financial impact study indicates the proposed Amtrak Northern Flyer through southern Kansas would make money even in its first year.
[...]
The Northern Flyer would provide passenger train service from Newton — with connections to the Southwest Chief there — south through Wichita to Oklahoma City, where it would connect with the existing Heartland Flyer and Texas Eagle trains to carry passengers through to San Antonio. From there, connections could be made to the Sunset Limited either east to Orlando, Fla., or west to Los Angeles along a route following the southwestern U.S. border. Train service already exists over the route — except for the gap between Newton and Oklahoma City.
The economic impact study was commissioned by the K.T. Wiedemann Foundation Inc., of Wichita. It was done by Jayhawk Consulting, of The University of Kansas School of Business. Their conclusion: The train would produce a regional economic benefit of $3.20 for every $1.00 invested.
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Letter to the Editor…Oklahoma Gazette
The Union Station debate brought rail transit to the forefront of public and political awareness. While the matter involved saving a rail yard, of greater importance was changing our mindset and joining peer cities in the 21st century of public transportation. More importantly, it was about ensuring our economic future.
The rail yard issue is now behind us. But the enthusiasm for rail transit that came from the discussion continues to grow. Now is not the time to stand still. We need to take advantage of the momentum and wisely move forward together to develop a rail transit system for the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area.
The light rail streetcar system proposed in MAPS 3 is an important first step toward that system. In addition to providing valuable transit service for those living and working in the Core, it will connect to a future intermodal hub and provide an important means of transit between the hub and locations throughout the Core, including the CBD, Bricktown, Health Sciences Center, Capitol Complex and the new Convention Center and Central Park.
MAPS 3 also includes funding for the hub, the location of which will be determined prior to construction of the streetcar system. At Oklahoma City’s request, ACOG is initiating an intermodal hub study to determine the most effective design and location for the hub.
MAPS 3 and its $130 million commitment for a streetcar system and hub and commuter rail infrastructure is not premature. On the contrary, the time is now. If we wish to improve our quality of life and secure our economic and transportation future, we must boldly move forward and develop a rail transit system.
MAPS 3 is a critical first step toward our rail transit future.
Marion Hutchison
President – Oklahomans for New Transportation Alternatives Coalition (OnTrac)
From The Norman Transcript:
Is there a day in the near future when a commuter rail system will link Norman to Oklahoma City and to surrounding communities? MAPS 3 could lead the way.
It is possible, according to panelists with Oklahoma City’s Modern Transit Project, who held a public forum Tuesday night, hosted by MTP Campaign Director Jeff Bezdek at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art’s Noble Theatre.
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THE MAPS 3 TRANSIT PROPOSAL AND WHY WE NEED TO DO IT NOW
Next Tuesday (November 17th)
Starts Promptly at 7PM
Free to Attend
OKC Museum of Art Noble Museum
A short video and powerpoint presentation will provide visual information on the MAPS 3 Transit Proposal. Twelve panelists have been assembled to answer your questions and discuss the future of the transit system proposed in the MAPS 3 Ballot Initiative.
Please feel free to invite others. No RSVP is required.
PANELISTS & POTENTIAL SUBJECTS
Marion Hutchison (Transit Hub)
Lauren White (Bus System)
Josiah Daniel (Federal Funding)
Rick Cain (COTPA & Metro Transit)
Turner Mann (Midwest City Connection)
Austin Hacker (Wind Power)
Bob Kemper (Commuter Rail and Amtrak)
Steve Nash (Commuter Rail and Amtrak)
Walter Jacques (Bus System)
James Ellison (Transit Oriented Development)
Robbie Kienzle (Urban Planning)
Debbie Blackburn (Historic Neighborhoods)
Jeff Bezdek (Modern Streetcar)
From The Oklahoma Gazette:
Of the nine modes of transit covered in Oklahoma City’s Fixed Guideway Study, which is the city’s blueprint for its transportation future, only one method of transportation could unite them all — the modern streetcar, riding on rails in the street, city planners wrote.
“The flexibility and relative low cost compared to other rail alternatives could allow a modern streetcar system to emerge as a viable alternative in any high-capacity transit corridor,” states the study, undertaken in 2005. “Modern streetcar can also serve to improve the image of public transportation in the region and is an investment in the future that tends to attract community support. As such, it strengthens the appeal of other transit technologies.”
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