By: Richard Matthews

Richard Matthews — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:08:05 +0000

I believe we should be improving the present bus system with more stops at locations with ample parking and room for the bus to wait away from traffic. Make sure all the buses have air conditioning and deep tinted windows. More hybrid buses should be replacing the older, higher polluting, diesel models. Have an HOV/CATS bus lane when interstate 77 is widened. All the citizens should be contacting the NCDOT to expediate the widening of 77 from Huntersville to Moorseville. Using trains in the 21st century doesn’t make economic sense except for the companies involved in the construction of the tracks, financing the bonds, and selling the trains. The bus system seems to work quite well, so let’s build on that success.

By: Robert Maier

Robert Maier — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 02:19:45 +0000

It may not be as much fun, but when tackling the big picture, why not start, or at least include the simple– like benches at existing bus stops. Or maybe a shelter with a bench so you can wait for a bus out of the rain, wind and sun. I’ll believe the transportation force is serious, when it takes care of existing easy transportation issues. By the way, do any task force members ever even ride the bus?

By: David Boraks

David Boraks — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:54:57 +0000

Here’s a followup news release from the mayors after Wednesday’s meeting:

Mayors from Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville and Mooresville Unveil New Regional Transportation Map

For Immediate Release

January 31, 2008 – A new regional transportation map encompassing Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson and Mooresville was unveiled Wednesday evening at the Mayors’ Transportation Task Force meeting.

For the first time ever, task force participants were able to look at the regional effects of each town’s transportation challenges.

The all-encompassing map will be used for ongoing discussions on transportation issues as the Task Force delves into the potential resolutions to be part of the group’s final report in April.

“In my 25 years of experience, I have not seen the level of cooperation between four jurisdictions, “ said Jack Simoneau, Huntersville’s Planning Director.

Task force participants discussed continuing regionalism as well as the need to standardize transportation guidelines. “The State requirements aren’t always consistent with our towns,” said Davidson Planning Director Kris Krider, “but if our four towns can be consistent, we can be very effective.”

“As a retired business person, I think businesses would be supportive of this thinking, “ said citizen Lawrence Kimbrough, “but you’ve got to figure out how to take the ‘politicization’ out of it.”

The detailed map was created by Huntersville planning staff member and GIS expert Brian Richards and can be viewed (as of Monday, February 4th) at http://www.huntersville.org/trans_0.asp, or at the Task Force listserve below.

Task force members include:
Chair: Randy Kincaid
Vice Chair: Gary Knox
Davidson: Brian Jenest, Lawrence Kimbrough
Cornelius: Carol Grey, Jim Bensmen
Mooresville: Mitch Abraham, Chris Ahearn
Huntersville: Charlie Jeter

The next meeting on February 6th will focus on the North Corridor Commuter Rail project, with speaker David Carol from CATS. Citizens are encouraged to attend. All meetings take place at Cornelius Town Hall from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Those wishing to submit a letter or speak at the meetings should contact Randy Kincaid at rkincaidnc@bellsouth.net.

An email subscription listserve has been created for those wishing to receive meeting updates and information at http://www.ci.davidson.nc.us/eventdetail.asp?scheduleitemid=1802.

For Further Information, Contact:

Sara-Lynne Levine in Davidson
704-940-9602
slevine@ci.davidson.nc.us

or
Mayor Jill Swain
Huntersville
jswain@huntersville.org

Comments on: Task force: formalize regional planning

By: Richard Matthews

By: Robert Maier

By: David Boraks

Mayors from Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville and Mooresville Unveil New Regional Transportation Map