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I think Coastal Planner is more saying that even if Gastonia becomes a destination, it's more likely that people would just drive there rather than take a train. Some people would probably ride it, but not likely enough to justify the cost.
No, what he/she is doing is using it as an example of people travelling from a larger metro to a smaller one because it has a niche market.
If Gastonia focused on late night sidewalk cafes, or retail/restaurants... closed off a few streets and had weekend festivals or a farmers market/artist market it could work.
It would have to be something truly unique and niche but its definitely possible.
Yes, anything is possible. Let me know when it actually happens.
Unlike downtown Charlotte, most of Gastonia's old historic buildings are still standing. But when I was there, the area looked pretty seedy and run down. But with the right commitment, it seemed like it could be transformed into a hip, artsy, fun and vibrant place like downtown Asheville. And having a train run between Charlotte and Gastonia would make it possible for Charlotte folks to come into town and have a few drinks without worrying driving back.
I'm not being snarky, just honest: Most folks in Gaston County recognize their detachment from Charlotte, are glad they're detached from Charlotte, and purpose to keep it that way. I don't know that the will exists, to install any type of rail service, to Charlotte.
And I don't blame them.
The legacy if abandoned buildings, is the natural consequence of offshoring industries to other nations.
No one wants abandoned buildings.
But with increased growth comes other issues - traffic, and in many cases, crime.
I'm not being snarky, just honest: Most folks in Gaston County recognize their detachment from Charlotte, are glad they're detached from Charlotte, and purpose to keep it that way. I don't know that the will exists, to install any type of rail service, to Charlotte.
Seems to fit all the long time natives I know. They purposely stay away from Charlotte because of traffic, "crazy drivers" and a perceived high crime rate. For the vast majority of Gaston County residents, Gastonia meets almost all of their needs so they see absolutely no need for Charlotte attachment beyond what's already here. As the county seat serving a population of ~230k (a lot of people from Kings Mtn/Shelby/Lincolnton/Clover also use Gastonia), Gastonia does offer most of what working class people want/need.
Most people I know around here don't seem like recreational train riders. Some (not as many as you'd think) may go to Charlotte for the occasional football or basketball game, but with it being just 20-30 minutes down 85 they just hop in their car and get there. In the time it takes to drive to and from the train station, plus any waiting, paying for a ticket, and being at the mercy of the train's schedule - I don't know if they'd bother with the hassle. Perhaps with $5-6 gas there might be more interest...
Currently I just don't see enough demand for Charlotteans wanting into Gaston and vice versa. Outside of a few attractions/bars/restaurants I don't think either city would draw in a steady diet of people wanting to get to the other city. For Charlotteans, something in Gaston may be a nice day trip once a year. For those in Gaston, Charlotte is a place to go once every couple months (a game/bar/mall).
Last edited by eddiehaskell; 02-14-2016 at 12:46 AM..
Simply put, Light rail will never reach into Gaston Co. for a very, very, very long time.
The density is not there. At all.
Light rail will stretch to the airport. But I think it should be the end of Light Rail line to Matthews.
I'm not a fan of supporting any infrastructure where Mecklenburg pays the majority of the burden for other counties to reap majority of the benefits. Even if majority of a rail line falls within Mecklenburg to Gaston, Gaston has much more to gain and should pay for much more of the cost.
Seems to fit all the long time natives I know. They purposely stay away from Charlotte because of traffic, "crazy drivers" and a perceived high crime rate. For the vast majority of Gaston County residents, Gastonia meets almost all of their needs so they see absolutely no need for Charlotte attachment beyond what's already here. As the county seat serving a population of ~230k (a lot of people from Kings Mtn/Shelby/Lincolnton/Clover also use Gastonia), Gastonia does offer most of what working class people want/need.
Most people I know around here don't seem like recreational train riders. Some (not as many as you'd think) may go to Charlotte for the occasional football or basketball game, but with it being just 20-30 minutes down 85 they just hop in their car and get there. In the time it takes to drive to and from the train station, plus any waiting, paying for a ticket, and being at the mercy of the train's schedule - I don't know if they'd bother with the hassle. Perhaps with $5-6 gas there might be more interest...
Currently I just don't see enough demand for Charlotteans wanting into Gaston and vice versa. Outside of a few attractions/bars/restaurants I don't think either city would draw in a steady diet of people wanting to get to the other city. For Charlotteans, something in Gaston may be a nice day trip once a year. For those in Gaston, Charlotte is a place to go once every couple months (a game/bar/mall).
The driver (no pun intended) for light/commuter rail between Gastonia and Charlotte would be to get commuting traffic off the roads, not to facilitate dinners out and entertainment. Almost 30,000 Gaston County residents commute to Mecklenburg County every day. Getting them off I-85 in order to relieve congestion, lower air pollution, and not have to spend money widening existing roads or building new roads would be the reasons for rail.
Location: The place where the road & the sky collide
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlotte485
Simply put, Light rail will never reach into Gaston Co. for a very, very, very long time.
The density is not there. At all.
Light rail will stretch to the airport. But I think it should be the end of Light Rail line to Matthews.
I'm not a fan of supporting any infrastructure where Mecklenburg pays the majority of the burden for other counties to reap majority of the benefits. Even if majority of a rail line falls within Mecklenburg to Gaston, Gaston has much more to gain and should pay for much more of the cost.
Charlotte residents would see a big benefit in getting most of the cars from Gaston County & Kings Mountain off the road. The best bet for seeing this happen would be approval of the casino. It wouldn't happen overnight, but could happen within a few years. It would mean going to the airport.
The driver (no pun intended) for light/commuter rail between Gastonia and Charlotte would be to get commuting traffic off the roads, not to facilitate dinners out and entertainment. Almost 30,000 Gaston County residents commute to Mecklenburg County every day. Getting them off I-85 in order to relieve congestion, lower air pollution, and not have to spend money widening existing roads or building new roads would be the reasons for rail.
The question is - how many people will actually use it to commute. I don't think many Gaston County folks are mass transit type people. Check out the bus system - the only folks I see at bus stops are one that look like they can't afford a car.
Even with congestion on 85 - how much time is the average person going to save? Seems like driving to the station, getting on the train and walking to your destination would take longer than just driving 10 miles down 85. Can you easily stop off for groceries, restaurant or pick up the kids like you can in your car?
Location: The place where the road & the sky collide
23,814 posts, read 34,666,340 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eddiehaskell
The question is - how many people will actually use it to commute. I don't think many Gaston County folks are mass transit type people. Check out the bus system - the only folks I see at bus stops are one that look like they can't afford a car.
Even with congestion on 85 - how much time is the average person going to save? Seems like driving to the station, getting on the train and walking to your destination would take longer than just driving 10 miles down 85. Can you easily stop off for groceries, restaurant or pick up the kids like you can in your car?
I agree with you concerning commuter rail. More people would use light rail. Heavy rail would be optimal. Stations would attract restaurants, daycares, etc. over time. It's a lot less wear & tear on cars. It could mean less money for car insurance. Not everyone would use it, but ridership would build. If you commute to Charlotte, mileage wear would drop. Gas use would drop. Even if you paid $1 a day to park in a lot parking charges would drop. the state still needs to widen 85 to the state line.
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