03-13-2015, 02:10 AM
(03-12-2015, 01:13 PM)MidTowner Wrote:(03-12-2015, 12:35 PM)mpd618 Wrote: Kitchener has no particular intention of intensifying every iXpress corridor, and I'm not sure they should, either.
Why shouldn't they? Surely mixed-use along rapid transit corridors is desirable, and a certain amount of intensification, to help drive transit ridership.
A few points, in no particular order:
1) In my opinion, iXpress routes are not rapid transit, regardless of branding. They're bus routes with limited stops, but they don't have dedicated rights of way, transit priority measures, or most importantly the frequency that's needed for rapid transit.
2) I don't think mixed-use or a lot of intensification along every major corridor is necessarily desirable. Spreading growth throughout the region also supports increases in car traffic more so than directing growth to the central corridor and the downtowns, and keeping it relatively limited elsewhere.
3) Transit ridership should not be a goal in itself.