Clang, clang, clang goes the trolley, in 2019

I try not to swear in this blog, but WTF? is the response to this one. The transit folks in Charlotte, NC will be installing streetcar tracks over the next two years, although they don't expect a streetcar system to start running until 2019!

See "Streetcars won't start rolling until 2019," from the Charlotte Observer.

This is because the streetcar system there is priority three, after light rail and commuter rail. I think it's important to set and follow priorities. But I don't see why it will cost $250 million to build a streetcar system. It can be done for as little as $5-$10 million/mile. See "Bring Back The Streetcars" from the American Public Transportation Association.

Although like I recommend for H Street, which will be getting streetcar rails installed also, but DC hasn't yet ordered streetcars for the line, get cars and set up a system independent of buying Inekon cars, Charlotte could go ahead and create their own system.

See "Adding cultural heritage dimensions and expanded service capabilities within commercial districts to DC Streetcar planning."

Also see this link for the Portland Streetcar and this article about the Portland Streetcar system.
And this link for Transit Planning in the Charlotte-Mecklinberg region of North Carolina.
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Thanks to Nigel Foster for pointing out this article.

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