Thesis Idea
Austin Texas doesn't have a rail system because there is, like several other Texas cities, a bias against mass transit. It has been voted down at least once but there is still a movement to get light rail transit (besides buses) going there. Of course, the major obstacle for any massive initiative for a transit system is the incredible bus bias that the general public buys into. And that may be a good thesis topic. Why do people buy into the bus bias ("those" people ride a bus) when "those" people also ride a train. I am still trying to figure out who "those" people are. Buses are the meat and potatoes of any light rail system and are an important part of the entire system.
Plus, this is a state that made it's money on oil and gas. Heaven forbid, you get out of your car/truck/SUV for any reason! BUT..remember, a transit person can't have the attitude of all or nothing...transit is about giving people CHOICES for the choice rider and helping the captive rider get to jobs/schools/etc so they can become choice riders. It's a two-tiered system of serving people, with neither tier having priority over the other.
The attitude, at least here in Texas, is that mass transit is for everybody else. However, here in Dallas, we have managed to pierce through some of the attitudes and when people get on the light rail system, they, for the most part, become big fans. And yes, we are not Chicago or NYC or Washington so I think any comparisons would be grossly unfair. However, with what we started with down here and the general attitude at the beginning of the planning stages about light rail, I would argue that Dallas is successful. I would also argue that because Dallas is successful, Houston, now, has light rail coming and did pass an initiative for an additional build-out of their system.
As for Dallas, well..we have several projects that would make excellent thesis/dissertations for the right candidate. We have entered into new frontiers and I would love to talk to interested parties about these opportunities.
Just some thoughts....
Cheri
Dallas Texas