From Swamplot:
The Uptown Property and Business Owners Coalition is out today with a new website (portrayed here) meant to drum up opposition to the Uptown District and Metro’s plans to install dedicated bus lanes down Post Oak Blvd. The lanes, the last vestige of what was once a plan for an Uptown light rail line, would run from dedicated bus lanes linking to the Northwest Transit Center all the way to the proposed Bellaire/Uptown Transit Center near U.S. 59 and Westpark, where they might someday intersect with a University Line traveling eastward from that point. But the team behind the website wants none of it: “Uptown is a Houston masterpiece. Why do they want to ruin it?” reads the copy on the home page. Meanwhile, an introductory blog post on the site encourages readers to attend a friendly “town hall” meeting, [Tuesday] night at the Uptown Hilton, in the company of “hundreds of angry business owners and Uptown area residents.”
Here’s their website; if you scroll down to the bottom, you’ll see the name Daphne Scarbrough, one of the fanatical anti-rail on Richmond types who has long since morphed into an all-purpose rail hater. Given the Metro/Culberson peace treaty, the timing of their launch – the Facebook page was created Friday the 15th – isn’t exactly sublime for them. Remember that Metro has nothing to do with the construction of this line – it’s entirely being done by the Uptown Management District. Metro will eventually operate the buses, but that’s it. As far as what they’re fighting for, I can’t honestly say I’ve ever heard anyone call Uptown a “masterpiece” – hell, twenty years ago I’d have said I’d never heard the term “Uptown” used in conjunction with that part of the city. It’s not like there’s a historic preservation angle in play. My personal description of Uptown is a mess that I try to avoid at all times. I believe this plan will help, and I have no idea what alternative to help alleviate the awful traffic Save Uptown or any other group might have. Doing nothing isn’t an option, it’s just sticking your head in the cement. But here they are, and one should know one’s opponents. We’ll see if they get any traction. KHOU has more.
Dedicated bus lanes? Like the ones downtown? Who cares? No one honors them and the Police rarely enforce them. Just more reason to whine about something. Also who rides the bus to Uptown? Why would anyone ride the bus to Uptown? Who reading this has ever even rode on a Metro bus because it was more convenient than taking a car? In fact who has ever rode on a Metro bus? When was the last time? I moved to Houston from the farm in 1988 and I can tell you I have never rode the Metro bus.
@Paul,
I disagree with dedicated bus lanes, too, but maybe not for the same reason you do. I disagree with building new, “special” lanes. If the taxpayers paid for the lane, then let ALL the taxpayers have an opportunity to use it. Building a new lane, only to have it underutilized from the get go is kind of ridiculous, in my opinion.
Now, as to who might ride a bus in Uptown, I can think of lots of people, namely, the hourly employees at all the businesses in Uptown. Do you think someone who makes $ 10/hour or less can afford a car, insurance, gas, license plate and inspections taxes, etc.? Can they afford to live anywhere close to that area? Probably not. That reminds me of the old joke, “why is the bus service in River Oaks so good?” A: So the maids can get to work on time.
Paul, these lanes would be separated from the regular lanes by a concrete divider.
I rode Metro after TS Allison, because my car was in the shop for flood repairs, and there was a bus stop across the street from my office. Riding the bus turned a 15 minute commute into 45 minutes.
Bill….I believe they can drive uptown for.$10 per hour. Also since when do you have to have insurance to drive your car. Also I agree with your response a out dedicated lanes. Finally, blocking it off by a concrete divider would be stupid.
A lot of people who live in the suburbs of West and Northwest Houston take the Park & Ride. It wouldn’t be a surprise that those same riders work in the uptown area. It also wouldn’t be a surprise that they are seeking alternatives to driving cars. Think of it as rail like infrastructure without the trains, tracks and confusion.
I hate when business owners along with bought and paid for residents invoke the “no one will ride it” card but its even more of a reach to say it will ruin the “masterpiece” that is Post Oak Blvd. The office buildings, retail, restaurants will survive if not thrive after this project is in place. We’re talking about a necessary infrastructure…like roads and bridges.
No one will ride it card? It is amazing to me that everyone will talk about Metro but no one will check the numbers to see if anyone is riding the bus. Please……if Metro is part of your personal transportation plan please just let us know.