Texas Transit Association

Might an airborne tram be a possible transit feeder into larger light rail lines in Houston? Full story and video at http://www.click2houston.com/news/2569719/detail.html

Tram Travel Could Cure Traffic Trouble
Aerobus Offers Alternative, Advantages To Light Rail
October 21, 2003

HOUSTON — The first section of Houston’s METRO light rail is expected to open Jan.1. However, not everyone sees it as the answer to the city’s traffic troubles.

For some, the answer is not to tear up existing streets but to actually use an above-ground approach.

The Upper Kirby District is a square section of land between Buffalo Speedway and Shepherd, and Westheimer and Highway 59. According to Upper Kirby District spokeswoman Judy Davis, the growing residential and commercial district would suffer from years of construction if light rail was built there.

Davis said people in the district aren’t worried about people wanting to come to the area, but wonder if the people will be able to get there.

“In the past there have been initiatives to take a rail line or some kind of transit mode down Richmond,” Davis said. “But, when it is jam-packed, it doesn’t get you anywhere.”

Davis said for the people living and working in the Upper Kirby District area, rail is not a real option. She said the small businesses tell her they could never survive the years of closed roads and construction, and would hate to see the trees be torn up to make room for more concrete.

“When you touch those trees, you cause major concern in the area,” Davis said.

So, while trying to think outside of the box, Davis said they began looking into the sky, which is where she found Aerobus.

Upper Kirby District Map”We wouldn’t lose any lanes. We wouldn’t necessarilly lose trees,” Davis said.

The Aerobus company has brought back to life an innovation of the ’70s — a tramlike bus that travels about 35 feet in the air on cables.

“We don’t eat up the street,” Aerobus International Inc. spokesman Dennis Stalling said.

According to Stalling, the five-car buses can travel 60 mph and take up very little land.

“I see Aerobus being an advantage to light rail in spurring off of particular station sites where the light rail is,” Stalling said.

Bissonnet at KirbyDavis said the most frustrating part about coming up with a transportation solution is that officials are not evaluating all of the options possible.

“It isn’t just about rail. It isn’t just about concrete. It’s not just about buses,” Davis said.

Currently, there are no Aerobuses running in the world, although one will soon be built in China.