opinion

Answering transit skeptics: Letters to the editor, April 12

Answering transit skeptics

I’ve read with curiosity many of the letters from those who are against the transit referendum.

Seems to me that many of the skeptics are not well informed or base their views on myths. Here are some retorts:

1. “Let’s just use the railroad lines that are already there.” In case you haven’t noticed, those belong to CSX and are well used. That argument is like saying we can fix the homeless problem by letting people move into YOUR house.

2. “Once we lay the new rails, it will be impossible to move them.” Well, that’s kinda the idea. When I see new rail lines, I see economic magnets for business and neighborhoods, at every stop. I rode the Music City Star for several years before I retired. Thank goodness they didn’t move the rails!

3. “If you have used the transit system in D.C., Boston, Chicago, Denver, Portland or (fill in the blank), I’ll bet you have some stories to tell.” Indeed, I do. Every time I’ve ridden rail in other cities, whether light rail, commuter rail or subway, I think it’s a shame Nashville doesn’t have something like that. Nashville is years behind.

4. “This plan will take years to implement and won’t make a dent on traffic.” Yes, it will take a while and roll out in phases. But, incoming residents will be better able to make informed choices about where to live and work, with transit being a key consideration.

5. “What we need instead are more buses, or express bus lanes, or better traffic signals, or private ride-sharing, or 840 completed.” Sure, we need all those things, plus the improvements that will come from approving this referendum.

If you vote against this referendum and it fails, ponder that the next time you are stuck in our infamous rush-hour(s) traffic. You lose your right to complain and your right to road rage.

Steven Smartt, Mt. Juliet 37122

When buses worked

When in Scotland, I took the Megabus into Edinborough from an outlying, free parking lot.

Buses are clean, with Wi-Fi and electric outlets, and the station was a short distance from the Royal Mile to the castle, in the heart of town. Buses run every 15 minutes. Easier than driving in and trying to find a parking spot. You could get e-tickets online. We saw only buses that were completely full.

Will the planned tunnel construction disrupt the Broadway tourist area? Would conventions and other large groups cancel? What about the impact on businesses along the route, during years of construction?

Joyce Miller, Mt. Juliet 37122

Parking prices outrageous

Well, perhaps us old folks are out of touch, but my loving wife wanted to go downtown by herself to go to the Southern Women's Show.

She tried to get some of her friends to go with her, but they were busy. I was proud of her for going by herself. I was dismayed when I got a text from her saying that the closest parking lot outside the convention center wanted $32 to park. There was no parking available at the convention center.

She guessed the trip would have cost her $50 to see the show. So she came home. Really, you can have all this downtown stuff if this is the cost. It's not worth it and, oh by the way, we are not voting for the transit plan.

There is nothing downtown worth paying for at these prices. I have one doctor at the Frist Clinic and I never schedule an appointment unless it is between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Chase Adams, Madison 37115