This was the first thing that popped into my mind when I heard that the convention wasn't coming to Tampa...it has to be the lack of a true mass transit system that Tampa was passed up yet again. It would be nice to actually see the commitee's reasoning behind their choice. Hopefully this is yet another wake up call for the city of Tampa. The city will continue to lose out on large money making events to other cities due to the lack of a rail system here. Put one in and watch the windfall of events come our way!

It saddens me that Tampa is loosing a great oportunity...again. Of course the lack of transit it not the only reason, but it is certainly a big reason. If for the only reason it is a good reason to pin the lose on. Now, I know that there are other reasons,possibly more political ones; however, the lack of a fixed guideway transit system is a, and will continue to be, a reason to point to that Tampa does not have a way to move people efficiently around the city WITHOUT using a rental car.

This becomes even more apparent when you compare cities with their airports linked to DT and other parts of the city. Cities such as Washington DC, Atlanta...and surprise, Mineapolis. A cheap, efficient, and fast mode of transportation will ALWAYS be a point in favor of these cities when they come up against Tampa in issues like this.

Steve

Every time that I look at that line I get jealous. It is such a great transit option. It goes where people want, it is fast, and it is cheap and safe. The trains look great, the stations are nice looking, but not so large that they seem like a waste of money and space. It really is a true success story for that city and light rail in general. If Tampa could meld the lines of Minneapolis and Portalnd to a program that would fit our city it would be sure to be a success.

Steve

While it does have rail, that is not as impressive as you might believe. They have one line, and it runs from the Mall of America, through the airport, to Downtown Minneapolis. The Convention will be at the XCEL Center in St. Paul. So, convention goers will still need to drive cars, walk some distance, or ride busses.

Like they would have had to do in Tampa.

(Source: [user link]

Yes Sunshine, but unlike Tampa, that drive from the airport will be transit-optimized. That's the beauty of transportation choice where one of the choices doesn't involve the road. Those who can leave or arrive at the airport via light rail, and choose to, will be off the road and therefore enable a more comfortable driving experience for everyone else, particularly those attending the RNC. It is almost certain that during periods of anticipated congestion in Minneapolis/St. Paul, the transit agency warns people to better utilize the light rail system. By contrast, the last time there was a major event here in Tampa the best the city could tell us as locals was to avoid I-275. Yeah, thanks.

Dave

So basically one rail line that doesn't get the delegates to where they want to go is better than no rail lines ??

Not sure I buy that. Yes, that may have been a nice addition - but I think both the support of the Republican leaders there versus here, and the psychological effect of the hurricane season, were the real factors.

Both cities had to rely on heavily ground transportation to move delegates to and from hotels that are not right next to the convention venue. Maybe a few more Minneapolis residents will take the rail instead of driving, but those who work in St. Paul will not -- it would be like asking those who work in the Westshore are to ride the rail while the convention is downtown.

(Note: I support a comprehensive light rail system for Tampa - but I think you might read too much into what Minneapolis has.)

Well yes, I think the more transportation choice available to people ultimately improves conditions for those who choose to, or, for lack of any practical alternative in their specific circumstance, must drive. A single rail line that can move 100 more people out of the airport means there are 100 less auto vehicles leaving the same facility to bother the attendees who drive out to reach their hotels. More available rental cars, less congestion, and so on. If this value were not real, highways would not suddenly go gridlock during transit strikes in cities with developed transit alternatives. Any area with a developed mass transit system is more handidly capable of dealing with large crowds on the scale of the RNC or the Olympics. Certainly if this wasn't a factor in decision making, it will be in actual execution, and thus, worthy of focus.

I will admit that there is no analysis I've heard since the decision which explicitely cites mass transit as a factor.

Dave

That is bs. I mean really, all these folks will be comping the charges for rental cars, or taxi/shuttle to their state or national committees for reimbursement anyways. Plus this trains don't go to mons venus.

I'd wager that Minn, has more die-hard repubs that won't rock the boat.

Evryone that has posted here: the key point that is being brushed over is that in Minneapolis, while the light rail line may not be used much by the conference attendees, it CAN be used by residents as they know the roads will have much more traffic than a usual day in the city. That point is what makes that city a little more attractive to big events. While the line does not go to the convention center it can be used by residents instead of cars.

The same would go for Tampa. While our line would go near the convention center and DT from the air port it could be used by residents who otherwise might drive. For example, if on a weekend near the convention I were wanting to go to International Mall I could choose to ride the train instead of driving since I know the roads will likely be more crouded than a usual Saturday morning. The same goes in Minneapolis.


Steve

Actually, I don't think any more people will use the Minneapolis rail line during the convention than use it before or after. The roads into and out of St. Paul will still have the same number of cars because the rail line doesn't go into St. Paul. So I don't see how this rail line would be a deciding factor for the RNC.

Will some people arriving for the conference say in Minneapolis, and this use the rail line to get from the airport to the hotel? Sure. And maybe they'll use it to get from their hotel to Mall of America; but if they aren't staying in Minneapolis or need to go to other parts of the city, they will be in cars.

In both Tampa and St. Paul, conference attendees will need to uses busses and taxis and rental cars to get to the convention.

The original post seemed to infer that because of the single rail line, the RNC decided to hold the convention in Minneapolis. In reality, the rail line is simply coincidental; it had very very little effect on the decision.

Maybe the Hiawatha line wasn't a major factor, but it certainly didn't hurt. It also didn't hurt that Minneapolis, St. Paul and Bloomington all worked together. Minneapolis will have the headquarters hotel and something they're 'the convention experience,' St. Paul gets the actual convention, and Bloomington will have the lion's share of conventioneer hotel rooms. Two archrival cities and a major suburb working together?! Could it happen in the Tampa Bay Area?

Sure it could happen here! Just look at the progress of the Pinellas monorail connection to the Tampa light rail! Sarcasm intended.

Putting that asside, Mayor Iorio is trying, just look at her plan for commuter rail through Pinellas and Manatee counties. I know that St. pete played a role in the bid for the RNC when it came to hotel rooms.

Steve