Cool News (Birmingham, Homewood, Mountain Brook: unemployment, high school, airport)

[steveklein]

I really don't see this public transit system working. We just don't have the population density in any part of the metro area to warrant it.

[MinivanDriver]

Originally Posted by steveklein

I really don't see this public transit system working. We just don't have the population density in any part of the metro area to warrant it.

I don't know. Was there a study attached to it? Birmingham had quite a transit system until the 1950s, until the city unwisely decided to ditch it. I have an interesting book detailing the hundreds of miles of streetcar routes that were quite viable.

[TimCity2000]

Originally Posted by steveklein

I really don't see this public transit system working. We just don't have the population density in any part of the metro area to warrant it.

I feel like the proposed BRT system is a good step, though. It's not a huge shift in what riders are already used to. It's still buses on roads. Just newer and more modern technology. And I imagine this East-West route through the city already sort of exists with the current bus system. This simply increases the efficiency.

Now if we were talking light or heavy rail up or down 280, I'd agree with you... don't think we're anywhere near that yet.

[Justin Scott]

Starting to think a lot of people in Birmingham prefer the status quo. People are complaining about TopGolf and now the Bus Rapid Transit system. Do some of you not realize that ACCESS to public transportation is the reason Birmingham misses a lot of events, companies, etc.? Smh.

[steveklein]

Originally Posted by Justin Scott

Starting to think a lot of people in Birmingham prefer the status quo. People are complaining about TopGolf and now the Bus Rapid Transit system. Do some of you not realize that ACCESS to public transportation is the reason Birmingham misses a lot of events, companies, etc.? Smh.

Show me a city or metro area with a population density in the same realm as Birmingham's that has a public transportation system that is effective.

I rest my case.

[jero23]

Originally Posted by steveklein

Show me a city or metro area with a population density in the same realm as Birmingham's that has a public transportation system that is effective.

I rest my case.

Actually there are quite a few. Salt Lake City immediately comes to mind. They not only have BRT but a functional LRT system is in operation. Also Jacksonville is another one that I can think of with a functional mass transit system as well. Oh yeah, Jacksonville municipal and metropolitan area density are lower than Birmingham. So that would be yeah there other city and metro with similar density as Birmingham that has a functional mass transit systems.

[jero23]

Originally Posted by Justin Scott

Starting to think a lot of people in Birmingham prefer the status quo. People are complaining about TopGolf and now the Bus Rapid Transit system. Do some of you not realize that ACCESS to public transportation is the reason Birmingham misses a lot of events, companies, etc.? Smh.

I agree and the funny thing is I was apart if the necessary study, analysis, and application that was prepared to be awarded the federal TIGER grant. It funny hearing there is no demand, but the ridership had gone up with BJCTA MAX since the realignment of existing bus routes and the creation of the express routes along US 280 & Downtown to the Airport. This is funny indeed because I feel like some naysayers don't want Birmingham to grow and change for the better.

[_OT]

Originally Posted by Justin Scott

Starting to think a lot of people in Birmingham prefer the status quo. People are complaining about TopGolf and now the Bus Rapid Transit system. Do some of you not realize that ACCESS to public transportation is the reason Birmingham misses a lot of events, companies, etc.? Smh.

Lol and the BRT system is actually better and more convenient for Birmingham instead of light rail. It’s a decent move...

[Justin Scott]

The mindset is like being a millionaire and NEVER wanting to eat something outside of noodles. To my knowledge, Birmingham is the most underutilized city in this country. Do people not realize that the lack of reliable public transit alone, could potentially be the sole reason Amazon overlooks Birmingham?

Here's the deal, either get behind the city or prepare to be represented by Huntsville, which doesn't even have a legitimate skyline nor a proper interstate system.

[Justin Scott]

People that are in Los Angeles, Miami, and Atlanta seem to have more passion for their city (Birmingham) on this board than the people currently living in Birmingham. That is an issue by itself. Birmingham has the unique situation to do things right, and their current citizens start talking regression.