I decided to head over downtown after my noon Mass on Friday to ride the streetcar, and I really enjoyed my time!

 

I was for the entire original planned route, and hoping that the success of "stage 1" will somewhat fast track the expansion up to Clifton, UC, some of the hospitals, and the zoo.

 

I went around the entire route once and then jumped off on 12th to try a taco at Gomez Salsa, the taco was good. I then got back on the next streetcar than came along after I ate, I should have waited the extra 2 minutes for the one I saw a few blocks away as that first one was packed, actually saw my next door neighbor on it, about 5 minutes later when some people who were standing got off and I saw her just 5 feet in front of me.

 

The ride was smooth. I was disappointed that I didn't find WiFi on it, especially since Cincinnati Bell sponsors this first route. I didn't find their WiFi signal, but later noticed something on an ad in the car about downloading the Cincy Bell app and having free WiFi. I can see myself using the streetcar a couple times a month, when it eventually goes up to the Clifton area I see myself using it a bit more to attend FCC and UC sporting events.

 

The thing is, sooner or later we will need more transit options, the longer we wait the more expensive it's going to be, just look at the Brent Spence Bridge project, cost is now estimated at just over $2 Billion for the entire project, a heck of a lot more than it would have been just 10-15 years ago when they should have built it!

 

I recall around 1978 that people were proposing such things as light rail which included Northern Kentucky, and to the airport. I often wonder if Cincy at least had light rail from downtown to the airport if Delta would have stopped about 90% (I guess) of the flights at CVG. I was told that a light rail from CVG to downtown "might" have really helped the area and most likely would have won out over Detroit.

 

If this area would have started these transit projects even 15, maybe 20 years ago, think of the savings in the cost that it will cost now. But again I see that we will need more of these projects sometime in the future, may as will bite the bullet now rather than pay a heck of a lot more later when we really need it! Just looking at how I-75 has gotten a lot worse with traffic, heck, even the middle of the day many times I-75 north into downtown is backed up the hill to at least Kyle's Lane, sometimes Dixie or even Buttetmilk, and this isn't rush hour.

Street car was shut down for a while on Saturday due to a bomb threat.

 

Two high school football games were cancelled on Friday due to bomb threats.

Street car was shut down for a while on Saturday due to a bomb threat.

 

Two high school football games were cancelled on Friday due to bomb threats.

 

Zoo had one this week also.

They are getting ready to go into service.

Still can't believe there is no cashier. You are to buy a ticket ($1.00 for 2 hour pass or $2.00 for an all day pass). They will have random inspectors checking for tickets and will fine you if you are on the street car with out your ticket.

Be curious to see how this works and what the fines are.

 

Cincinnati Bell Connector fares begin today - Cincinnati News, FOX19-WXIX TV

From the article:

 

 

If a customer does not have a valid fare ticket:

 

Initial fine: $100

If delinquent: $200

If sent for collections: $275

 

I wonder how they are going to enforce it if I do not have an id.

I rode it on Friday. Outside of being packed, it was enjoyable. Definitely could see the benefits of using it going forward.

I rode it on Friday. Outside of being packed, it was enjoyable. Definitely could see the benefits of using it going forward.

If it goes over to Kentucky it would work. I've said that a million times already, but that's how you are going to get real volume of people riding it.

I rode it on Friday. Outside of being packed, it was enjoyable. Definitely could see the benefits of using it going forward.

 

I don't really go downtown so what is the benefit of it right now. I can understand when it goes up to UC if they ever do that. But the loop is 3 miles or so. Who is the streetcar benefiting. Daytime business people, bar people, both, etc? Will people ride from a bar in OTR to Banks? Is that goal.

This will be a negative financial venture as I've stated from the start.

This will be a negative financial venture as I've stated from the start.

 

I think you could be right unless someone shows us that while the streetcare fares might not be covering operating costs it is somehow leading to more money being spent downtown.

I think you could be right unless someone shows us that while the streetcare fares might not be covering operating costs it is somehow leading to more money being spent downtown.

 

It would have to be a significant difference to make up for what I expect will be a significant operating loss put on the tax payer.

 

Unless you are connecting wealthy areas to employment or recreation from a raw numbers stand point it will never make sense. Cincinnati just isn't as densely populated as other cities with a history of public transportation systems.

It's a strange plan without expansion. The people it will serve best is those living in new construction and renovations in OTR but working downtown.

 

Public transit is most effective in connecting dense residential or commercial areas to one another. I'm not sure the density exists to justify much expansion and I'm skeptical about notions (that some urban planners espouse) that increased transit creates development along those routes. I get the argument, but until such time as auto transit is so loathe some that people want a switch, I don't see it happening.

 

I look forward to taking a test ride next time I'm in Cincinnati.

I think you could be right unless someone shows us that while the streetcare fares might not be covering operating costs it is somehow leading to more money being spent downtown.

 

Saw an interview with a lady who was part of the group that developed the route. She said with the new route she will be able to go to OTR for lunch. Well that will just trade dollars from the places she used to eat to the ones at OTR. Not sure it will bring new dollars, it may just move them around?

I don't work downtown or up town. Is it really that big of a deal to rush to lunch in OTR? Seems like a huge project just so people can eat lunch 10 blocks away. I get that it's new but didn't they invent the transit system for a reason?

They just said on the radio that they already dont have enough money to operate it full go for Oktoberfest this weekend. Took 4 days.

They just said on the radio that they already dont have enough money to operate it full go for Oktoberfest this weekend. Took 4 days.

 

That's a bit of a mis-nomer:

 

Transit authority: We need more streetcars to keep up with Oktoberfest crowds - Story

 

SORTA is asking the city for more money in light of the heavy uptick in folks downtown for Oktoberfest. They're saying they are going to have to increase their rates of service - aka, speed up the streetcars to get from stop to stop faster and thereby move more riders - and SORTA is telling the city that they should have to bear the financial risk for increasing the rate of speed on the streetcar in light of the increase in pedestrian and vehicle traffic for Oktoberfest.

 

If you ask me, SORTA signed a service contract with the City to provide service, and it's their problem if they didn't anticipate and include the costs of any risks to maintain service during events and busy times downtown in that contract.