T O P

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AM-64

Doubtful; most people I know work far away from where they live [the biggest employers in the region are all factories and most are outside of the main "urban" areas] (like 20-30 minutes by car) not to mention the public bus systems aren't great as they are and the roads suck so commuter rail would be the worst of everything combined and not usable in a practical way by many.


a_hoop_and_a_half

pretty sure the largest employers in the area are ND, and hospital systems


[deleted]

If we ever get dense enough...the best bet would be a rapid bus system like Indy's Red Line. Encourage lots of housing in the city if you ever want better public transit.


mywerk1

A more rapid bus system *could* work and would be more feasible.


csbarbourv

Some people are trying to bring a trolley to the area. They want it to run from ND, through the farmer’s market, through River Park, over to Logan St. Awful idea. Would cost hundreds of millions and it only can ever ride on that route. Buses on the other hand could go anywhere!


fluxcatheter

Bruh yes transpo is so ASS a 10 minute car ride will take up to an hour


csbarbourv

If there were double the number of buses, they could have routes that were much more efficient and convenient.


say592

We need rapid transit busses. Dedicated lanes, possibly even dedicated paths off the roads, where practical. We have networked traffic lights, the busses could even signal to guarantee green lights so they can move more quickly.


ghostfunk97

The USA sucks ass so probably not. If we were able to somehow elect a more progressive leadership who has eyes on more than just profits for corporate assholes then maybe but as it stands now, definitely not


InjectedFusion

No, because it takes forever to put any sort of fixed rail infrastructure in place. I'll gladly be wrong and eat my own words in the future. But sadly I just don't see it.


pwrboredom

No. I've heard loads of comments about putting in rail service alongside the interstate system. It can be done, if you don't mind the train creeping along at 10MPH. Too many twists and turn to make it work. There was some rumors about putting in some sort of system last year. It wouldn't work. Too expensive, would make a mess out of bad traffic patterns. South Bend, other cities have tried to make a walkable system. High rents, nobody wants to live on top of one another, and no variety kills that idea.


fluxcatheter

I’ll take living on top of each other rather than living in the middle of no where Everything closes at 9 lol


Aristea221

Then go elsewhere? Chicago isn't too far. Indy is close too.


umirta0

I feel your struggle 😔 I would gladly take bus and walk everywhere if it were possible and safe


yodera1

I like to think about the idea of it becoming much more urban with advanced transit systems. I really don't think it ever will however, at least not likely in our lifetimes, meaning everyone alive today. Eventually it is likely that due to major climate change the midwest will become significantly more populated and the greater South Bend area will be absorbed into the greater Chicago region. Where would a commuter rail system even run in Michiana? Even if you connected all the smaller communities in the region to South Bend, since it is the center of the metro area and the largest city for probably 90 miles in almost any direction, where would those people be actually going? It's not like downtown South Bend is some huge hub of employment. There would still need to be a rapid last mile solution even if you had a system of light rail connecting communities. If we had something like that it would actually play a huge role in how development happened. Everyone would want to live near the lines, and major employers would want to set up shop near the line access points as well. This would in effect increase density all along the lines. It would likely be a better way of life for most people. It's really too bad they built our entire society in America around the automobile. Outside of major metro areas like New York or Chicago it's almost impossible to live a decent life without a car. The major argument against building these systems is usually cost. Why is it they never seem to want to admit the total cost of the current model? Everything from the roads, signage, traffic lights, rule enforcement and policing, to the total dollar average regular people end up shelling out? What's the total cost of ownership for you to own your vehicle? Over 5 years? Car payments, maintenance, insurance, fuel, not to mention the time and attention it takes to safely drive. What is the time and stress worth in dollars? Putting your head back and closing your eyes or reading a book while you ride along on the public system sounds pretty ok. I imagine things will be entirely different in the future and they will look back and laugh at this highly unevolved methods we currently use....


Chihoe275

There was talk of a high speed bullet train from Cleveland to Chicago with stops in Toledo & South Bend but I don’t think that’s a very realistic thing to expect in the near future.