LaHood: Streetcars Mean Jobs

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood (R., IL) has this post at his FastLane blog about how streetcars are expanding through the country:

Today, streetcars in New Orleans and Tucson are under construction. Dallas, Atlanta, and Salt Lake City are currently designing their own streetcars. Tampa extended its popular TECO Line Streetcar System, which has already created billions of dollars in economic development. And Cincinnati will break ground very soon on the Queen’s City’s unique streetcar project.

It’s simple: this streetcar revival means greater mobility and more American jobs. DOT will continue to improve public transit services by supporting these critical projects that create jobs today and livable communities and economic redevelopment tomorrow.

Read the rest here.

 

CAC Transit Panel Podcast

For those who were unable to attend the CAC’s transit panel on the launch of the new Cincinnati Metro Frequency map, you can listen to it here.

 

OTR Chamber Discusses the Streetcar

 

Streetcar Speeds Much Faster than Average Walker

The Cincinnati Enquirer has this story stating the 6.7 miles per hour (‘mph’) average speed of the streetcar will be “only slightly faster than a very brisk walk.” The reality, however, is that 6.7 mph is much faster than the speed of the average walker.

According to a recent study, the average walking speed observed in an urban area of similar size to Cincinnati was 3.3 miles per hour for pedestrians under 60 years old and 2.9 miles per hour for those over 60. Even for the faster group, the observed speeds were under half the speed of the streetcar.

To put things in perspective, a 6.7 mph pace would translate into an 8:57 mile. If one were to enter the Flying Pig Marathon and run it at an 8:57 mile pace, they would finish in the top 20% of the field. To say that someone who finished in the top 20% of the Flying Pig finished the race running “only slightly faster than a very brisk walk” is laughable.

Accurate information, not sensationalism, is what is needed for understanding the Cincinnati Streetcar and why it will be beneficial to our City. Cincystreetcar.com would like to thank all of those readers who continue to come to this site to be informed and educated about this transformative project.

 

Cincinnati Transit Map Launch: Monday 5/23 at the CAC

Nate Wessel – ‘citizen activist’ for transportation in Cincinnati – took on a project this year with the help of kickstarterto simplify our city’s transit system and make it more accessible with a newly designed frequent transit guide for Cincinnati.

Join Nate, Colin Groth (Government Relations Director for Metro), Brad Thomas (Founder Cincystreetcar.com) and moderator Peter Chamnberlain (Assistant Professor of Industrial Design, DAAP) for a discussion and launch at the Contemporary Arts Center Monday, May 23rd.

Find out the inspiration for this project, the aspirations for future transit in Cincinnati and check out the freshly printed maps!

Monday May 23, Contemporary Arts Center at Sixth and Walnut.

5:30 pm Doors Open, Cash bar
6:30 pm Discussion with Nate Wessel, Colin Groth, Brad Thomas and moderator Peter Chamberlain

Free and open to the public.

 

Streetcar Already Attracting New Residents to OTR

 

Small Business Owner on the Cincinnati Streetcar

 

Realtor Cathy Frank Discusses the Streetcar