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Seattle Link Light Rail and Mayor
Some commuters have expressed to me disappointment in the regional approach to various types of commuting, which local governments profess to endorse, such as the new Sound Transit Light Rail and some associated bicycle issues. One reader informs me that from where he commutes, south of Seattle, there is not enough capacity for all of the cyclists who need to secure their bikes before riding the train. He also informed me that in response to an inquiry officials told him no additional capacity is planned. This seems strange to me that specific methods of commuting would be encouraged in word, but discouraged in deed.
This lack of commuting integration is well illustrated in the new Link Light Rail system, which also makes me wonder about the use of the word, “Link.” According to Linda Byron of King 5 TV News, reporting on vehicle parking near the new Sound Transit Link Light Rail stations, “Seattle will be making it difficult - if not impossible - to park around light rail stations,” ostensibly to encourage people to take the train rather than the car.
But it doesn’t take a genius to realize that some folks who don’t live near the line, and may wish to use it, would like to drive to a connection point to take the train. Apparently Seattle’s mayor believes that people who happen to live conveniently located to the light rail line will actually need to go to exactly where the train goes. Good luck with that.
According to Byron’s report, not only has the city made a conscious decision not to provide additional parking for potential train commuters, they are actually expanding residential parking zones in neighborhoods surrounding light rail stations, and will be enhancing parking enforcement against citizens.
I’d ask the question, if park and rides are essential for busses, which are ubiquitous throughout our communities, how can they not be for a mode of transportation restricted to a single track? Oh, almost forgot…and as I understand it, the light rail stations do not have the facilities to secure bicycles and the trains do not have the ability to carry bicycles.
I'd say that Seattle's anti-car cabal might show a some appreciation for the automobile driver, after all, aren't they the one's being taxed into oblivion for this light rail in the first place?
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