Mass Transit

[soappedaler]

The failed trolley from several years ago was poorly planned. Right off the bat when I saw the stops I figured they didn't know what they were doing. The western end of the route started near Beach Highlands, just short of The Topsail Preserve RV Park. The RV'rs would have been the the biggest group of riders. At night all bars should be on the route.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I don't want to see 30A become like Disneyland. However, a light rail electromagnetic train running the length of 30 would certainly be interesting to think about. Obviously, several large parking lots would be needed. The thing about having such a beast is that it is counter to the urban design which Seaside started. Of course, that is proving not to work so well as only the wealthy can afford to live in such an area, and a store probably couldn't survive without the public supporting them.

 

[scooterbug44]

Light rail would be the next step after a successful bus/trolley system has been implemented and needs to expand further. The capital outlay and permanent/hard to reroute nature of a light rail makes it a poor choice for implementing a public transportation system. Buses are easy to reroute, divert etc. until you get the routes and rider count working properly.

You don't need large parking lots, you just have to be willing to walk more than 50' to get to your home/destination. The idea is that you don't need a car at each end because you can easily walk to your destination or use other transportation options once you are within the system.

If your destination or home is Seaside you would WALK to your home or destination from the stop, not get in your car and drive because by non-SUV/sprawling suburb standards the walk across Seaside is within the range of a normal person.

The idea of new urbanism is to reduce sprawl and divide areas into relatively self contained quarters that are easily walkable. Seaside or Rosemary is more like an urban quarter with services and businesses within the community, while Watercolor is a developer not grasping the basic concept and copying a working model.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I'm thinking of the need for parking lots for all the people who live north of 98. You are right though, many other steps would come before light rail. We aren't there yet. Speaking of not being there yet, does anyone know WTF the County is waiting on to open up the newly completed parking lot between WaterCooler and Seaside. It has been finished for over two weeks, but the chain is still blocking it off. I guess the County wants people to park in Seaside until they have some sort of grand opening, when the weather warms.

 

[Mango]

There used to be a Jolly Trolley which had an old fashioned appeal in Long Beach Island New Jersey, which has a very similar layout to 30A in many respects. It's 19 miles long and has named beach communities up and down the stretch. The main road running North and South along the Blvd. separates the bay from the ocean side and is 2 lanes on each side. I haven't seen the Trolley in years and I am not sure if it is still running. If not, it probably wasn't successful. It was run by The Alliance for a Living Ocean. There is a successful one in Rehobeth DE which based on their web site runs 8am -2 am during summer season. I have never seen it personally since I've never been there so I can not comment on the density and the stops it makes. But it is dowdy looking to say the least from their web site, unlike the LBI one which had a nostalgic appeal. In my opinion, the only use for a trolley would be for day trippers to Seaside/WaterColor/ Rosemary/Grayton/ Alys where parking is limited with it running and picking up people from Sandestin and Miramar where there is a higher density. I think it would raise revenues for 30A communities.
I like SJ's idea of a light engine train running from Nowal to Sowal down to close to the end of 395 and 30A intersection for commuters. A lower carbon footprint, less accidents, and more economical especially with gas prices. Then from there possibly shuttle transfers to various communities. But the idea of one on 30A seems Disneylandish in my opinion. I also don't think one running West to East on 98 would benefit a majority. Most of the vehicles I see on 98 are contractors with pick ups.

 

[BeachSiO2]

I'm thinking of the need for parking lots for all the people who live north of 98. You are right though, many other steps would come before light rail. We aren't there yet. Speaking of not being there yet, does anyone know WTF the County is waiting on to open up the newly completed parking lot between WaterCooler and Seaside. It has been finished for over two weeks, but the chain is still blocking it off. I guess the County wants people to park in Seaside until they have some sort of grand opening, when the weather warms.

It's not competed yet. Per the TDC Beach Management meeting yesterday, the project should reach substantial completion any day now. They can't open the parking and restroom to the public until it reaches substantial completion as it is an active construction project by the contractor. I think there is a ribbon cutting scheduled for next week though but not sure the day.