Atlanta Streetcar Opening Crowds

[Keith-N-Jax]

Coolyfett I don't that think that was the intention of this thread about the hype.

[Ocklawaha]

Now move the Atlanta 'idea' to Jacksonville, we lay a 'heritage streetcar,' across Water/Independence to Newnan, North on Newnan to Duval, West on Duval to Lee, South on Lee to Water/Independence. Just a big circle and nobody's idea of ideal... That is unless you are wise enough to see that right-of-way up through the Springfield Parks to UF, or up Newnan to Beaver to the Stadium, or from Beaver to Gateway, or from Lee at Water south to Riverside. The key is you can do that most critical part of the system, as a 'cute historic downtown circulator,' on the cheap. The good thing about this strategy is that it can lead to gradual acceptance of the idea and ongoing implementation.

The bad thing about this strategy is that it will fail to pull in enough riders to demonstrate initial success, thus losing public support to expand. If success is partially determined by high ridership, forget the loop where a few people live and go with a single line that stretches into adjacent neighborhoods like Springfield and Riverside. In this scenario, for just about the same cost as building a circle in downtown, you'd have something penetrating areas of high employment and residential population, with DT in the middle. The higher usage from that initial segment can then fuel the push to expand or increase capacity where needed.

No argument here, which is why I said; "and nobody's idea of ideal... " Just responding to the idea that Atlanta is somehow stupid for moving ahead of us and we are somehow brilliant for standing in our own, comfortable little mud hole. I had much rather us build that box through downtown using one 'L' or 'I' link at a time and actually connect something.

I do still feel, if you want modern streetcar, full blown LRT or a heritage line, you are far better off starting with the 'heritage concept' as Charlotte, Tampa and Tucson did. Get the minimalist track down, with minimalist simple trolley wire and no other furnishings but trolley stop signs and a metal shed to cover a small work space. DONE. Once the system is operating on one of those links, you've got rail and it is going to be easier to improve on that then to shift from flying buses to real rapid transit.

[thelakelander]

Oh I don't feel bad, Cooly. I'm happy for Atlanta and any other city enjoying the benefits of investing in itself.

[spuwho]

Per Trains:

Atlanta plans streetcar expansion

ATLANTA – Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed has shared plans to expand the new Atlanta Streetcar line, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Speaking at the annual State of the City business breakfast, Reed says the city is taking the "first steps" to connect the Atlanta Streetcar's downtown track eastward three-quarters of a mile, ultimately connecting the streetcar line with the Beltline trail.

The mayor did not say how the expansion to the streetcar, which cost $96 million in its first phase, would be funded.

Plans for the streetcar to connect to the Beltline's eventual 22-mile loop of parks and trails have long been in the works, but many are skeptical it will become reality because of lack of funding.

Atlanta's new 2.7-mile streetcar line opened Dec. 30, 2014 with passengers riding the line free for the first three months of operation. The line loops from Centennial Olympic Park to the King Center. It uses four streetcars built by Siemens under a $17.2 million contract based on the company's S70 low-platform vehicle.

[spuwho]

First projected to be free for just 3 months, due to a benefactor, it will be free for the remainder of 2015.

Per Trains:

Atlanta Streetcar to operate fare-free for reminder of 2015

ATLANTA – The new Atlanta Streetcar Line will operate fare-free for the rest of 2015. The city will take additional time to review system attributes and determine how the streetcar's fare system can best interface with the Marta Breeze fare system, while also taking advantage of emerging technology.

"The fare collection system should be easy for commuters and visitors, and in this case, we can do better. We want the Atlanta Streetcar to be a habit for Atlanta's residents and visitors, and streamlining the fare process will benefit our riders," Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed says.

The city is looking at smartphone apps that would include trip-planning tools, including alerts and schedule information, and the ability to check real-time arrivals and find information about streetcar-accessible activities and events.

The original budget for the streetcar projected $304,000 in ticket revenue this year. Private, philanthropic support and operational savings will supplement these funds, the city says.

Atlanta's 2.7-mile streetcar line opened Dec. 30, 2014. The line loops from Centennial Olympic Park to the King Center. It uses four vehicles built by Siemens under a $17.2 million contract based on the company's S70 low-platform vehicle.