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| Re: Future expansion wish list? (878515) | |||
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Re: Future expansion wish list? |
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Posted by AEM-7AC #901 on Sat Dec 26 21:22:14 2009, in response to Re: Future expansion wish list?, posted by trainsarefun on Sat Dec 26 15:37:40 2009. The question is whether throwing that money at the Oyster Bay Branch would be wasteful compared to other options.In private chats, I discussed the idea of electrifying the Oyster Bay Branch with 25kV catenary primarily to kill off the entire diesel network. Presuming future electrification, eventually the diesel fleet will become smaller and smaller, with higher capital costs and operating costs as less units are needed, and eventually the point may come where the LIRR isn't interested in maintaining a few locomotives for the meager ridership to Oyster Bay or Greenport. Only mixed use walkable development near transit hubs will result in a role for LIRR in more commutes, and that's not on the radar. I happen to work in Garden City, and arguably, via Mineola station, it's really the only place that's walkable from an LIRR station with offices nearby. As a matter of policy, it would be nice to see some trains from the East* stop there, but as you pointed out, since choice riders are unwilling to ride a shuttle bus, most LI employment destinations are useless for commuting even for those near the railway. The sad part is that Long Island's town and village governments are unwilling to develop anything resembling a TOD whether for residential and commercial real estate out of the desire to pander to local residents who fear "more crowding" and turning into the county on one's west border**. It's sad that there's no equivalent of Metropark, Stamford, or White Plains on Long Island. *Coincidentally, it's the best point to transfer for mall employees headed to Roosevelt Field. The downside is that the riders who would do that don't earn enough to pay for the railroad fares and those that do can buy a car regardless of their driving skills. **Queens suffers from this too, hence why many residents of Eastern Queens successfully secured down zoning to keep out multi-family dwellings. Of course, in all three counties, the illegal apartment seems to be the market's means of dealing with the lack of real estate properties. |
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