Mountain-West & Southwest Transit Systems: How do they rank?

Rwarky · December 20th, 2007, 07:57 AM

How would you rate the mass transit systems in Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Salt Lake City? How are these cities when it comes to pedestrian safety? Overall, which city would be the best option for a non-driver? Any other thoughts, feel free to chime-in!

bob rulz · December 21st, 2007, 09:42 AM

From what I've seen and heard, Denver has the best mass transit system out of any of these, although Salt Lake City isn't far behind. The worst I can say about Salt Lake City's system is that it doesn't have a rail line to the airport (although it's been approved and should be done by 2012, although that's still a while away). Denver's system is pretty impressive and is probably undergoing the most expansion of any mass transit system in the U.S. Phoenix's public transportation is just plain bad for a city of its size. Can't say much about Tucson and Albuqeurque.

***Xusein*** · December 21st, 2007, 08:17 PM

I envy Denver's FastTrax (spelling?) plan. Truly visionary, and cities back east should be taking notes.

Salt Lake City seems to be having successful light rail too. Isn't Phoenix having a LRT line too?

Jayayess1190 · December 24th, 2007, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TenRot

I envy Denver's FastTrax (spelling?) plan. Truly visionary, and cities back east should be taking notes.

Salt Lake City seems to be having successful light rail too. Isn't Phoenix having a LRT line too?

Yes, and Albuquerque and Tuscon want one too. I think western transit systems are evolving into something truly amazing, and it is fun to watch them grow.

bob rulz · December 27th, 2007, 06:15 AM

Phoenix is finally getting light rail?

It should've happened 1 million people ago.

But I guess it's better late than never.

Tcmetro · December 27th, 2007, 01:34 PM

I think Salt Lake City is supposed to have 6 light rail lines and an all-day commuter rail by 2014. There are currently 2 LRT lines there.

Denver has an excellent bus system, and several more LRT lines will open in coming years. So will commuter rail and BRT.

Phoenix will open it's light rail in 2008.

Las Vegas has a large, frequent, 24-hour bus system. There is a monorail and a BRT line, as well as "The Deuce" - A bus line along the strip that uses double deckers.

I am not sure about anywhere like Reno, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Tuscon, Boise, etc.

There is the New Mexico Rail Runner, which is a commuter train that will eventually run from Abq. to Santa Fe.

It is amazing. Some of these systems are the best in the country, and are in the most sprawlicious places.

EtherealMist · December 28th, 2007, 06:41 PM

Phoenix is getting light rail?

About time, considering its a metro of, what 5 mil?

bob rulz · December 30th, 2007, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tcmetro

I think Salt Lake City is supposed to have 6 light rail lines and an all-day commuter rail by 2014. There are currently 2 LRT lines there.

Our first commuter rail line (Salt Lake - Ogden) is opening in April 2008. The next line is planned to open in 2012 (Salt Lake - Provo). Funds permitting, the whole original system could be completed by 2015 (Brigham City - Payson).

December 20th, 2007, 07:57 AM	#1
Rwarky Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 335 Likes (Received): 0	Mountain-West & Southwest Transit Systems: How do they rank? How would you rate the mass transit systems in Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Tucson, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Salt Lake City? How are these cities when it comes to pedestrian safety? Overall, which city would be the best option for a non-driver? Any other thoughts, feel free to chime-in!

December 21st, 2007, 09:42 AM	#2
bob rulz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 557 Likes (Received): 0	From what I've seen and heard, Denver has the best mass transit system out of any of these, although Salt Lake City isn't far behind. The worst I can say about Salt Lake City's system is that it doesn't have a rail line to the airport (although it's been approved and should be done by 2012, although that's still a while away). Denver's system is pretty impressive and is probably undergoing the most expansion of any mass transit system in the U.S. Phoenix's public transportation is just plain bad for a city of its size. Can't say much about Tucson and Albuqeurque. Last edited by bob rulz; December 21st, 2007 at 09:48 AM.

December 21st, 2007, 08:17 PM	#3
*Xusein* Somali Mod Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kingdom Come Posts: 24,543 Likes (Received): 422	I envy Denver's FastTrax (spelling?) plan. Truly visionary, and cities back east should be taking notes. Salt Lake City seems to be having successful light rail too. Isn't Phoenix having a LRT line too? __________________ SkyscraperCity SOOMAALIYA

December 27th, 2007, 01:34 PM	#6
Tcmetro You da man, Circus Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Minneapolis-St. Paul Posts: 293 Likes (Received): 0	I think Salt Lake City is supposed to have 6 light rail lines and an all-day commuter rail by 2014. There are currently 2 LRT lines there. Denver has an excellent bus system, and several more LRT lines will open in coming years. So will commuter rail and BRT. Phoenix will open it's light rail in 2008. Las Vegas has a large, frequent, 24-hour bus system. There is a monorail and a BRT line, as well as "The Deuce" - A bus line along the strip that uses double deckers. I am not sure about anywhere like Reno, Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Tuscon, Boise, etc. There is the New Mexico Rail Runner, which is a commuter train that will eventually run from Abq. to Santa Fe. It is amazing. Some of these systems are the best in the country, and are in the most sprawlicious places. __________________ metrology

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December 27th, 2007, 06:15 AM	#5
bob rulz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 557 Likes (Received): 0	Phoenix is finally getting light rail? It should've happened 1 million people ago. But I guess it's better late than never.

December 28th, 2007, 06:41 PM	#7
EtherealMist The World Is Yours Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Boston / Northern NJ Posts: 1,206 Likes (Received): 0	Phoenix is getting light rail? About time, considering its a metro of, what 5 mil?