Light Rail Blues - Part Four

You know, when I first started this series on the Phoenix Light Rail system, it wasn't supposed to be a series at all. My original intention as for it to be a relatively short rant about how inconvenient the construction of the system was for me, and probably a lot of other people. But, during the writing of that rant, I came to realize that I had a lot more to say about the situation. Naturally, having this forum, I decided to expand upon my little rant, and the result was this series.

Previously, I had promised that here in Part Four of Light Rail Blues, I would describe a system that I think might have been a better option over the current plan. However, I am writing this series as I go along; there was no grand design, no overall plan as to where I would go with it. Therefore, I have granted to myself a certainly flexibility in fulfilling my previous promise, and have decided that in this segment I examine how the Light Rail system might fulfill its promise, at least along a part of the line. My thoughts on a better design will have to wait.

Now look, I'm no expert when it comes to transportation issues. So many of you may think that I'm not really qualified to discuss our Light Rail system in any critical manner. But I am an expert on ME, which means I am qualified to discuss whether or not it will meet my needs, whether or not I would use such a system, and to describe a system that I think would meet my needs. You, too, are probably not an expert on transportation issues. But you, too, are an expert on YOU. Therefore, you, too, are qualified to have an opinion in the matter, even if it differs from that of the experts.

As a cab driver, I've have had the opportunity to discuss the Light Rail system we are getting with literally dozens, maybe hundreds (who the Hell knows, I haven't been keeping records) of my passengers. A fairly large majority of these people have expressed many of the same sentiments that I have written about. Here and there a few of people have told me that they think the Light Rail system will be the greatest thing since sliced bread. Or canned beer. Or readily available porn. Or whatever. However, when I ask those same people to think about the system from the point of view that I have, quite a few of them have come over to my way of thinking, and expressed the same kind of doubts that I have.

You see, once you get past the hype, and really start to examine certain aspects of an issue, it is possible to look at something and decide it won't provide the benefit that it is supposed to, regardless of what the experts say! Everyone has the ability to look at the world around them, and come to some pretty certain conclusions as to how it works, or doesn't, whichever the case, even in the absence of hard numerical data and complicated, rigorous studies. This ability even allows you to make some pretty good predictions about the future, with regards to how the world works. This allows you to open your mind to the possibilities of "what if."

Allow me to give you an example of what I mean. I admit, it's a pretty disgusting example, but it will tend to prove my point. Actually, I think you should just agree with me: you can look at the world around you, think for yourself, and come to reliable conclusions on your own, even in the absence of hard data. If you did this, you could skip the next three paragraphs, to the fourth, which starts with "Welcome back." You could completely ignore my example, and really not miss much. I would recommend that you do this. Right now. Don't read the next section. I'm warning you: my example, although it really makes my point, is gross. Really gross. I mean it. You really would be better off not reading it. Trust me, it's true, and it really, really, makes my point, but you will be a long time getting over the experience. Still with me? Well, here goes...

Did you know that every time you use the toilet, you are flushing away some pretty valuable nutrients? It's true: the waste product of the typical American diet is rich in potential nutritional value. I can prove, through rigorous scientific analysis, that a certain percentage of human waste consists of undigested fats, carbohydrates and proteins, which are the essential components of food. Upon seeing my data, unless you thought I had jiggered said data, you would have to agree that, if properly processed, people could eat poop.

So if I processed human waste, and turned it into food, would you eat it? Do you think others would? I know that your answer to both questions is, "Hell, no!" You know why I know this? It's because, regardless of what the experts say, people won't eat poop!

See, you really can think for yourself, and you really didn't need to look at my "expert data" to do it. You knew the right answer all along. You are qualified to be critical about something, even if you're not an expert on that something.

Welcome back. Either you skipped down to this section, or you just returned from hurling. Either way, allow me to continue, under the assumption that I can be critical of a situation, and, even in the absence of expert data, come up with some valid conclusions. I've shown that you know how to do the same thing, if you're willing to do so.

I want to be open-minded, and re-assert a previous statement of mine: I am in favor of a mass- transit system, if it really will work as advertised. So will the Light Rail really prove to have the benefits that are promised, and actually grow into a system that will move a significant portion of our population from here to there? Maybe. I think that the potential is there, at least along part of the line. So, let's apply a little "what if?" What if the experts are right?

It is presumed by the proponents of the Light Rail system that, once in place, the patterns of civilization will tend to gravitate along the line, which is to say that people will want to live, work, and conduct the business of their lives closer and closer to the line. This probably will happen if the system proves its utility, or people think that it will have utility to them. To be fair to the proponents of the Light Rail system, I actually do think that population density along the line will increase. The evidence?

Well, in Tempe alone, the Light Rail line cuts right through several high-density neighborhoods. Starting on the east, near Arizona State University, the line goes right through the heart of a neighborhood that houses several thousand people, mostly apartment dwellers. Most of these people are students, and live within about a quarter of a mile of the line, so convenient access is certain. Further west, in downtown Tempe, a high-density, 26 story, condominium tower is under construction, virtually across the street from the line. A few blocks further west from this project, within walking distance of the line, several other high-density apartment/condo projects have been completed and are occupied.

Across the river, north and further west, on Washington Street, still in Tempe, even more high-density residential properties have been completed, fronting right on the line. Keep going further west and you will see that downtown Phoenix itself is experiencing tremendous growth in the number of high-density residential properties. I have to believe that, at least along this segment of the line, this trend in residential population density will increase.

Also along the line, the number of high-density commercial properties, such as office buildings, appear to be on the increase, complementing several other high-density properties already in the area, such the headquarters of the Salt River Project.

Along a corridor less than two miles long (Mill Avenue to 48th Street), and a few blocks wide (Salt River to Van Buren Street), probably ten thousand people, or more, already work, with thousands more soon to follow.

And let's not forget the cultural amenities available already in place. Every day, several tens of thousands of people attend Arizona State University, which is right on the line. Access to downtown Tempe, with it's plethora of restaurants, shops, and nightclubs (a virtual Mecca for the party crowd on weekends) is very convenient. In the core of Phoenix, just to mention two venues: Chase Field (formerly Bank One Ballpark, or Bob, a much friendlier name... but don't get me started) and the US Airways Center (formerly America West Arena... but who the Hell cares?) are right on the line. Also easily accessible are numerous nightclubs and other entertainment and cultural venues, such as the Convention Center, the Herberger, Dodge and Orpheum theaters, the Science and Technology Museum (to name a few), as well as several high-density hotel properties. Further north we have the Phoenix Library, Art Museum, Heard Museum, and the whole of the Central Avenue high-rise corridor.

So ridership potential is certainly there, at least along that part of the line (starting at the intersection of Apache Boulevard and Road in Tempe, and ending at the intersection of Central Avenue and Camelback Road in Phoenix). Even people who don't live along the line could certainly commute to a convenient point on the line, and continue their travel to any of a number of destinations along it. However, with all that the Light Rail appears to have going for it, will really use it to any great extent? Well, to be fair and frank, I certainly hope so, if only because some much money and effort has already been expended on its behalf. And because the promise is so tempting.

But... I have my doubts.

As I have stated in a previous segment, people, being people, are creatures of narrow habit. We have gotten into the habit of using our cars to get us from here to there, even if it is not necessarily convenient, or expedient, to do so. Witness the traffic jams on the freeways during rush hour. You and I know darned well that any number of the people in the cars trapped in the jams live on a bus line that can favorably compete with a car, at least as far as transit times and fare costs are concerned, especially where "park and ride" stations are available. But these people still use their cars.

Yes, yes, I did previously describe how I would use the bus, if it was more convenient, but don't do so. Am I being hypocritical? I don't think so. Remember, it was a theoretical example. I do live right on a bus line; the cab company base is on another line; one transfer allows me to get from here to there. But I don't make that commute on any kind of a regular basis. I drive a cab for a living, and my cab is with me, wherever I am, twenty-four hours a day. So I might not make that particular commute for months, maybe years, at a time, and then only then when I am dropping off the cab for an extended period of time, say for a vacation.

And I certainly didn't mean to imply that any great number of people do have a situation where the bus is competitive. But for those who live and work along a freeway corridor, or even along a surface street line with no transfers, the bus can certainly be competitive. But no tremendous numbers of people appear to be taking advantage of it. Is this your situation? If so, are you taking advantage of the bus? If not, why not? Keep in mind, that your reasons are probably not all that different from those of everyone else who shares your situation.

I know that automobiles are an ingrained part of our culture, especially out here West, where we have tended to grow out rather than up. Being able to get in our cars, and go where we want, when we want are huge factors that come into play when it comes to the personal choice of which mode of transportation is likely to be employed in moving from one place to another. But personal choice tends to become a habit, even when circumstances change. The Light Rail system will be a change of circumstance. But will it cause an appreciable change in habit?

Quite a few of you who live, work and play along corridors where the bus is competitive with your car don't use it, whatever the reason. Isn't it fair to assume that the people living along the Light Rail corridor might have the same resistance to using it?

Do you currently do live, work and play along the Light Rail line currently under construction? Will you do so in the future, either along the current line, or any future line? If so, let me ask you a question.

Will you walk from your house, or place of business, or entertainment venue, to a Light Rail station, and wait for the next train? Don't be so quick to answer.

What if it's the middle of Summer, and it's over a hundred degrees outside? Which will you choose?

Car or train?

Sure, it's a rather extreme example. But you're tough. You'll gut it out, for a while at least. But then, maybe, just maybe, you'll go back to your car, at least until it's cooler. But what's cool enough? 90? 95? 85? Okay, let's be brave, and say 90. Anytime the temperature is below 90, you'll wait for the train. If it goes above that, use the car. Seem fair?

So how many days during the year does the temperature rise above 90 degrees? I'll wager that the answer is north of 35 percent. Want to bet against me? How will this play into the habit of using the train? I don't know for sure, but I know that it will have a measurable impact. Thirty-five percent of the time, in my example.

And what about all the other excuses that otherwise reasonable people might have for not using the Light Rail? Will their resolve to use the system prevail? That remains to be seen.

So, "what if" the experts are right? What if a significant number of people really will use the Light Rail system, proving them right and me wrong? Actually, I hope that this is the outcome. You see, the cost isn't much if I am wrong. My pride is damaged, perhaps, and I am out the hours that it has taken me to compose this series. I've been wrong before, and squandered my time in less fruitful ways. It's no great loss to me, or anyone else, for that matter.

But, "what if" the experts are wrong? What of the costs then? Will the system have been worth it?

Just remember: something had to be done!

Sincerely,

The Cab Guy

PS - I have re-read, and re-written, certain parts of this piece, over and over and over again, and I'm still not completely satisfied with how it turned out. It kind of rambles around, here and there, in ways that I did not expect that it would when I started it. So be it. I am hoping, though, that you will forgive me for my imperfect expression of feelings on a subject about which I am passionate. At least I didn't end the last sentence in a preposition. That's something, isn't it?