Master Plan: This is what JTA needs to do

[thelakelander]

Even Detroit, the epicenter of the auto industry, is now embracing rail.  If this new plan works out, they'll have BRT, commuter rail and light rail up and running by 2015.  Before a dime of the rest of the BJP money is touched, a local comprehensive plan for bus and rail should be developed.  Under no circumstances should Peyton be allowed to stick his fingers in the transit pot.

Regional bus, rail proposal unveiled

Tanveer Ali / The Detroit News

September 25, 2008

DEARBORN -- An ambitious plan to develop a mass transit system for the nation's automotive capital -- featuring both light rail and a high-tech bus system -- was unveiled to the public Wednesday.

Commissioned by Detroit and Oakland, Wayne and Macomb counties, Detroit Regional Mass Transit is proposing hundreds of miles of infrastructure, dedicating lanes to hybrid buses, light rail lines and commuter trains along Metro Detroit's major streets over the next few decades.

The grand plan is yet to have a price tag. John Hertel, chief executive for the transit group, said the network would be built in phases, with changes based on the public's needs.

Initially, hybrid bus routes would be established along the major roads, including connecting downtown Detroit with Detroit Metropolitan Airport via Michigan Avenue, with M-59 via Gratiot, and with Pontiac via Woodward. The plan also proposes to immediately increase the frequency among existing bus lines and improve the roadway.

The transit plan would then connect proposals already in the works, including the $371 million, 8-mile-long Woodward Avenue Light Rail Transit already approved by the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, with an estimated construction date of 2011.

A separate privately funded-plan along a 3.4-mile stretch of Woodward in downtown Detroit is making headway under Hertel's leadership, with likely backing from major business leaders such as Mike Ilitch and Peter Karmanos. A commuter line over track used by Amtrak would connect Ann Arbor with Detroit's New Center, with a potential trial run beginning in 2010.

full article: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080925/METRO/809250404/1409/METRO

[Ocklawaha]

John Peyton? Oh hell man, your killing us with these bright ideas for road funding. No REALLY killing us... bring a shovel, to the council so we can bury transit and our citys future.

SEE: THE DEVIL WENT DOWN TO FLORIDA!
http://jacksonvilletransit.blogspot.com/

Again, check the Transit Blog if you'd like a story on this mess. I think for the first time in history we are making inroads, friends and progress in the area of telling the city that we want rail. Now along comes Peyton and we'll be lucky to salvage 3 buses and a little red wagon.

PEYTON, PULL YOUR HEAD OUT AND KEEP YOUR PAWS OFF MASS TRANSIT MONEY!

OCKLAWAHA