I’m going to Vancouver on Thursday for a conference. I’m presenting the first chapter of my next book on neoliberalism in black politics. Vancouver has a Skytrain that traverses 33 miles through the city. It’s the longest rail of its kind in the world. Thirty years ago Detroit sought to be the first, by creating a People Mover that would extend from Detroit to Ann Arbor (over 40 miles). Although the money was there, suburban angst nixed the deal. The People Mover was built but it is barely used and travels only 3 miles around the city. I’ve probably ridden it five times in 30 years.
News comes today that the state legislature is seriously considering building a high speed rail line from Detroit to Lansing (over 50 miles).
Thirty years too late. Right now in Vancouver there is talk of extending the rail to the University of British Columbia, Vancouver…because people have seen the benefits of public transportation. Furthermore, Vancouver has a significant ridership (as well as a growing population). Metro Detroiters are conditioned to use cars, no matter what the price of gas is. But even if they could be conditioned to use public transportation…given the state of the region’s economy where would they take a Skytrain to? The region may have another chance to live together, but I don’t think some type of high speed rail line is going to be part of it. Folks in Lansing are living a pipe dream. Or maybe, smoking one.
I sadly have to agree, There seems to have been talk about it for so long, but some people are so opposed to the idea, I don't get why. I was only the Detroit area for 1.5 years but this issue came up and Michiganders were like, “um, yeah, right.”
A (light) rail system would do much to revive Detroit and connect it to the surrounding areas… but maybe that's what scares people.
Most of the country missed the boat on rail. Somewhere is a book that describes how GM and Standard Oil of California (now Chevron) conspired to remove light rail from Los Angeles in the early years of the 20th century to ensure that they could sell a lot of cars and a lot of gas. Funny thing is, having rail would not have dramatically impacted the growth of the car (and petrol) culture of California, in my opinion. But the corporatists weren't going to risk it.
I bet if you scratch below the surface, information would emerge that shows the unseen hands of the Big 3 made sure that the rail project was just another white elephant.
Detroit exemplify your point BroBrown,more than anyplace in America.At present there's no need,no jobs,and no funds for mass transit
Detroit region NOW thinks about light rail? http://t.co/JXlVZPje