Build the Trolley and They Will Come

[daveklepper]

The article clearly states that even before implementation of "The Trolley," parking is going to be improved and expanded.   At the Zoo.

Please reread the article.  Thanks!

[Overmod]

You are right.  I think I could not read enough of the story as the right-hand ⅔ is cut off on a phone

[daveklepper]

Charlotte, NC

Light-rail commuters will get good news in 2018: Trains will run more frequently.

BY STEVE HARRISON

[e-mail]

NOVEMBER 22, 2017 12:09 PM

The Lynx Blue Line will operate more frequently during rush hour next year, with rush-hour trains operating every 7.5 minutes instead of every 10 minutes.

When the Lynx extension to University City opens in March, the Charlotte Area Transit System plans to add more trains at rush hour. CATS said it doesn’t know how long that rush hour window will be, but today CATS considers rush hour from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

“When we open the expansion, we can run more frequent trains,” said CATS chief executive John Lewis in an interview this week.

When the Lynx opened 10 years ago, rush-hour trains operated every 7.5 minutes. But in 2009, during the recession, CATS reduced service to every 10 minutes during rush hour to save money. The 10-minute headways have been in place ever since.For the rest of the day, the train operates every 15 minutes.

CATS said it’s still studying how frequently the train will operate during non-peak times.

From 3-6 p.m. and from 6 to 9 a.m. the train operates every 10 minutes. During other parts of the day it comes every 15 minutes.

The 9.3-mile, $1.1 billion extension is scheduled to open in March. The platforms at the new stations are built long enough to handle three-car trains, and CATS originally planned to operate three-car trains on the entire 20-mile line. That would have relieved rush-hour crowding.

CATS has been lengthening the length of station platforms on the existing Lynx line so they could handle three-car trains. The city spent roughly $17 million lengthening four stations – Seventh Street, Stonewall, Woodlawn and I-485/South Boulevard. That left 11 station platforms that needed to be lengthened.

But in January, CATS told the Federal Transit Administration that it was, for now, opting out of a program to increase capacity on the line. CATS said it hoped to resume work by 2024.

Though three-car trains will not operate for several years, having more frequent service during rush-hour could make trains less crowded.

The main contractor for the extension, Balfour Beatty, is preparing to turn the project over to CATS. After that, CATS has several months of its own testing to make sure the train is safe for riders.

Lewis said earlier this month he’s confident the train will open in March.

 

[end text]

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Edward B. Hsvens

Tucson, Ariz,. 

 

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[Overmod]

You would think they could address the short-platform issue with the New York expedient of yellow stripes on the long platforms marking the zone that will have doors open at the shorter ones.  That would have the effect of making the third car a virtual 'express' (albeit at regular speed) for the rush-hour people who will not often need to get off the train at shorter platforms inbound, and relieving at least some of the congestion in the 'regular' two cars outbound.  

[blue streak 1]

daveklepper

But in January, CATS told the Federal Transit Administration that it was, for now, opting out of a program to increase capacity on the line. CATS said it hoped to resume work by 2024.

Why can't CATS operate 3 car trains and leave the third car  off the platform and not open the doors at short stations ?.  That would be much like NYC subway ?  Probably require some software changes ?

Also some signage at 3 car plaforms.  This poster is constantly puzzled and dismayed why agencies do not provide for fouture extensions of platforms,  It is very easy to provide utility conduits that terminate at the ends of platforms instead of having to dig up platforms to connect to utilities. 

The extensions also sometimes have problems extending because original platforms did not   provide for long enough sidings.  Another problem for some agencies is not providing stations that have future plans for additional tracks that build platforms that will be torn out to accommodate another track(s).  Example is VRE  

Note: TriRail did build platforms for additional track that was installed at FLL Airport station.