Electric streetcars are an old idea that should be brought back, some civic leaders believe.
IBJ reporter Chris Oâ??Malley writes today that heavyweights including Indiana Convention and Visitors Association President Bob Bedell are backing a not-for-profit called Downtown Indianapolis Streetcar Corp.
The group wants to see streetcars zipping around downtown and linking IndyGo buses and other forms of transportation.
The idea is working in a revitalized Portland, Ore., so why not here? goes their reasoning.
Are they on the right track? Would you ride them?
IBJ reporter Chris Oâ??Malley writes today that heavyweights including Indiana Convention and Visitors Association President Bob Bedell are backing a not-for-profit called Downtown Indianapolis Streetcar Corp.
The group wants to see streetcars zipping around downtown and linking IndyGo buses and other forms of transportation.
The idea is working in a revitalized Portland, Ore., so why not here? goes their reasoning.
Are they on the right track? Would you ride them?
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I love the idea of a local street car, or trolley, that you can get on or off, and without a fare. Aside from the obvious value of connecting to other forms of transit, this would be incredible for downtown business, especially during lunch hours and evening events. If there is a fare, the utility (of convenience) is largely lost. The expense should be recovered from taxing downtown businesses/services or maybe via a tax district. Or a Superbowl tax.
The big problem with street trolleys is two-fold. The traditional trolley has overhead electrical lines, which clutter street views (the cuteness of the occasional trolley is outweighed by the ever-presence of the wires) and create logistical nightmares whenever parades or large loads move through downtown. Maybe the civic leaders believe that future downtown construction is unlikely after the stadium is completed.
The other issue is embedding rails into the pavement, and all the sturm und drang associated with repaving streets and servicing rails from time to time. This is less of an issue, in my mind, than the wire jungle above the streets.
Of course, if the trolleys use an alternate power source, such as a clean diesel or battery power, then sign me yesterday.
Requitus, do you think it is possible to use some sort of power that is located in the rails or could that become a danger for pedestrians?
I love this idea and I think it will do wonders for downtown and bring in more high density development. Add lightrails and we would have a great mass transit system! The original ones were closed down by GM. I think it would be great if the original rails were used and properly repaired as it would save money on metal and add charm(if the repair prices don't out weigh replacement).
First the Cultural Trail and now this? Naptown gets better everyday!
I hope they send a line down Virginia Ave to Fountain Square. Mass Ave seems a no-brainer, but it's a bit tight on room. Can't wait to hear more details on routes, technology, etc.
I think that this should start now, and I think this would be a big hit in a convention city like Indianapolis. It will possibly start the spark for larger forms of mass transit.
Everyone I've spoken with concerning the return of streetcars to downtown (and into the city's neighborhoods) is very excited about the prospect. For all of its recent amenities, downtown Indy still has a certain sterility, and lack of cohesiveness that would be greatly remidied by the presence of street rail transporation. Highways link the sections of a city with concrete, but streetcars bond a city together with soul.