PBS has a good documentary on how one city, Charlotte, North Carolina,  will be using the stimulus money on adding another track to its rail system.

Mayor Pat McCrory of Charlotte  took a lot of heat from other politicians about his proposed rail system that would bring people back to downtown and away from suburbia. Ultimately, the citizens of Charlotte favored the idea.

It makes me wonder what would happen in Vegas if such a system existed. Charlotte and Vegas are comparable in size and population, with Vegas being a hundred square miles smaller. Both of their problems are similar: lackluster downtown (and we’re talking the REAL downtown, not the tourist’s downtown) and endless suburban sprawl.

Charlotte looks amazing. The rail system looks modern and sleek; it reminds of the light rail in Bordeaux. The platforms to get on are inviting and safe. Mayor McCrory emphasized the diversity of people riding – not just the homeless or geriatric, but professionals, students, families, and tourists.

If Vegas’ Mayor Oscar Goodman truly wants to create a downtown lifestyle, he’s got to get rid of the neonopolis and build a rail system for the entire Vegas valley. ACE rapid transit is heading the right direction, but buses to ACE are slow and erratic.

How should Vegas connect its citizens to downtown?

Related posts:

1. Where Should Vegas Start?
2. UNLV Transit Hub Study, Part 2 of 2
3. Las Vegas Transit Projects
4. Why “My Commute Sucks” is Unproductive
5. Stereotyping Bus Riders