New light rail proposal breaks a promise to my side of Charlotte | Opinion

East Charlotte

For a generation the Independence corridor of east Charlotte has been promised a fixed rail transit system — one that represents a lasting investment in our future. Rails in the ground reflect a permanence and stability that cannot be easily altered, rerouted or discarded. It is infrastructure that signals a long-term commitment, encouraging development and reliable service for decades to come.

The new transit proposal may relegate the east Charlotte corridor to “bus rapid transit.” That’s a popular term used to make a lesser investment seem significant. Even high-quality BRT fails to provide the commitment implicit in rail investment.

East Charlotte residents should not support a 1-cent sales tax increase for a plan that lacks what we were promised. I urge the city to honor its commitment to our communities and deliver the rail system we’ve been waiting for.

Phillip White, Charlotte

Buses can work

Buses work — once you define Bus Rapid Transit. It is not a lane down the highway. BRT uses a sealed right-of-way so they never intersect with pedestrians or street traffic. Every crossing is a bridge and they only stop at a station.

Buses can be as fast and comfortable but more versatile and much less expensive than rail. The roadways can be built lighter and cheaper than rail and electrification can be put off for later budgets.

William C. Barnes, Charlotte

Light rail

Resistance to a sales tax to fund a regional light rail system is so short-sighted. One only needs to look at what is happening in other metropolitan areas to know that mass transit is necessary.

I recently drove through Atlanta and Dallas, or should I say crept through, at 15 to 20 mph. There is no such thing as rush hour, roads are clogged during all daylight and evening hours.

More roads — the priority of Republicans in Raleigh — are not the solution. More cars means more wasted time, more pollution. More pollution increases respiratory disease and climate change.

Think of how drivers will react if Charlotte gets to the point of instituting congestion pricing to drive in uptown, as London has done and New York City nearly did.

Kent Rhodes, Charlotte

Airport expansion

The writer lives near Charlotte-Douglas International Airport.

Earlier this month, the 110-year-old Steele Creek Presbyterian Church Manse was bulldozed as part of the airport’s ongoing expansion. It was set to be designated a landmark, but never got on the Charlotte City Council agenda.

Areas in the airport’s expansion zone have a rich history dating back to the 1700s. Area residents face threat of displacement, home devaluation and noise pollution.

Airport officials cited “development needs” as the reason the historic home was bulldozed. Those “development needs” are happening at the expense of our communities. All Charlotte residents should be concerned. We need more transparency, to be protected from irresponsible development, and not have our property values negatively impacted by the airport.

Stephanie Lasne, Charlotte

A GOP mistake

The Republican Party made a huge mistake by viciously attacking Joe Biden with TV ads. The GOP had the election won but overplayed its hand by helping the Democrats destroy Biden. Now Vice President Kamala Harris is being portrayed as the best thing since sliced bread. Her running mate recently said: “One person’s socialism is another person’s neighborliness.” It is shocking that the Democratic Party doesn’t even shy away from their progressive values and seems to embrace them over capitalism.

Jim Cherry, Charlotte

Self-centered man

Former President Trump has dismissed comments from supporters calling for him to refocus on policy rather than personal attacks on Kamala Harris. He said he was “entitled to personal attacks” against Harris. Once again he reveals his true nature as vindictive and more concerned about getting his own way than helping Americans prosper. We don’t need another self-centered man in a leadership position in this country.

Albert Guy Dancy, Charlotte