Streetcar System Moves More Than People

For less than the cost of a recent school levy, Tacoma, Washington, could have a brand new old-style streetcar system.

1 minute read

June 1, 2006, 7:00 AM PDT

By David Gest

The first round of the resolution is expected to go before the City Council in two weeks.

"Several phenomena make the return of streetcars a logical 21st century strategy:

*Rising gas prices versus lower-cost electricity.

*Environmental friendliness of electricity versus gas.

*Lack of parking -- and the high cost of building new parking -- downtown and in business districts.

*The popularity of vintage streetcar networks in other cities -- for tourists, commuters and residents.

*Ridership of Tacoma's Link light rail, which has far surpassed original projections.

*Transit rider preference for rail over buses.

*Population projections that show Tacoma could double in size by 2040.

*The revival of business districts and urban living over suburbanization."

Thanks to morgan alexander

FULL STORY: Streetcar network not just nostalgic - it's practical, too

Friday, May 26, 2006 in Tacoma News Tribune

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