You have $50 billion in mostly grade separated transit coming, largely due to the work of a lot of volunteers from 2011-2012 setting Sound transit up for the ST3 vote in 2016.
What Sound Transit calls "light rail" is as high capacity as some subway systems. I named the nonprofit that led a lot of this organizing Seattle Subway because it got attention when we needed it, and it's true anyway. :)
I think your other questions are interesting, but it seems like you have an opinion and you're looking for a way to defend it. If you're actually curious about why we're building a subway network and aren't just looking for a way to disagree, let me know!
I'm not particularly married to an idea here but it is 2020 and I remember exactly what happened with the Coliseum–Oakland International Airport line. It was planned and designed pre-ridesharing and instead of making $2 million in the first two years, it cost $860 million to operate.
Now if technological progress in transportation were to completely stall, I'd agree that it likely would make sense, but the last thing I want as a taxpayer is a very expensive project that is eventually outcompeted by advances in ridesharing in the time it takes to build out the network. Given that there is no lack of public transportation boondoggles that have left taxpayers holding the bag, it's not unreasonable to ask questions and exhibit some skepticism, especially when the population density is below 8000 people per square mile.
In places like NYC, I would be in complete agreement with you as the population density would dictates that only a subway would ever make sense because you simply don't have the road system relative to population density for a ridesharing solution to ever make sense.
Lastly, I commented in good faith, but this condescension, "but it seems like you have an opinion and you're looking for a way to defend it", doesn't exactly help you garner support for what you're trying to achieve. That's also the kind of accusation that comes from someone accusing others of doing something they are guilty of. Perhaps it's you that has an opinion that you're looking for a way to defend?
Generally the people who bring up pod transit will argue you to death. If those systems ever exist (and they’ve been used as anti-transit hobby horses for almost 50 years now) they can’t scale to serve urban environments.
Engaging with them generally just creates visibility for people who can’t tell what’s bullshit.
I cited one very high profile example of ridesharing making a public transport project completely unviable within a few short years leaving taxpayers stuck with the bill and you call such skepticism bullshit even when there is clear evidence for voicing concern? If there is any bullshit here it's more likely to be the person who "hitched their online persona to being an expert with an opinion on the topic" than the person who was raising legitimate concerns supported by evidence.
You've just lost any chance at my support and gained someone who is now more extra dubious of this Seattle Subway project than I was previously all because I now believe it is you that isn't engaging in good faith. It's going to take someone knowledgeable and acting in extra good faith to undo the animosity you're directly responsible for creating.
Whenever Seattle Subway comes up in any discussions, I'll be sure to reference how Ben Schiendelman responded when someone raised legitimate concerns. Good job.
> and they’ve been used as anti-transit hobby horses for almost 50 years now
Because there is so much in common with 1970 vs 2020. Ridesharing only became a thing 10 short years ago. Waymo has been providing autonomous rides in Arizona for a few years now. Companies like Segway and LIT motors have pioneered the use of gyroscopes in transportation such that a completely enclosed motorcycle sized vehicle is nearly viable. The possibility of autonomous pods has never been more viable than is is now. It may have been a bullshit argument 20 to 50 years ago, but it's certainly not a bullshit concern in 2020. Sorry if the future is finally catching up with a career you're heavily invested in, but that's not an excuse to behave as you have here.
What Sound Transit calls "light rail" is as high capacity as some subway systems. I named the nonprofit that led a lot of this organizing Seattle Subway because it got attention when we needed it, and it's true anyway. :)
I think your other questions are interesting, but it seems like you have an opinion and you're looking for a way to defend it. If you're actually curious about why we're building a subway network and aren't just looking for a way to disagree, let me know!