Streetcars open opportunities for UC

Cincinnati has a new buzzword and buzzword, thy name is streetcar.

The streetcar issue has been debated back and forth for the last year, and now, as Issue 9 poises itself on the November ballot, the topic is hotter than ever.

If Issue 9 passes, the city would have more hoops to jump through before being able to spend money on passenger rail transportation. Proponents of Issue 9 claim it would help prevent wasteful spending and limit the government’s ability to develop the plan without further approval from citizens.

Those who oppose Issue 9 worry if the amendment passes, all hope of a passenger rail in Cincinnati will be slaughtered. The concern is the confusing wording of the amendment and restricting nature will make any plans for a streetcar system virtually impossible to approve.

And while that’s all well and good, the question we’re asking is how would a streetcar line affect students at the University of Cincinnati?

If we want to use Portland’s streetcars as a model (as many are doing), then we should turn to Portland State University to see how they enjoy it.

PSU students are able to utilize all components of the TriMet system, which includes buses, the MAX light rail system, the Westside Express Service commuter rail and the streetcar. A ticket for unlimited riding for two hours costs a little more than $2, while a month-long ticket is around $80.

There are some complaints from PSU students: The streetcar is too slow and has confusing schedules, not to mention traffic delays.

And yet, a streetcar system in Cincinnati gives UC students options they might not have otherwise. The current plan includes a streetcar stop specifically for UC, which would then run from the Cincinnati Zoo to Newport.

Just imagine: Spending a night in downtown, enjoying everything from fine dining to a movie at Newport on the Levee before returning to campus. And no hassle with parking or traffic.

There are also plans for a high-speed rail that could travel to Chicago or Cleveland, similar to those in Europe.

One summer I traveled Madrid to Toledo, Spain, on a that country’s similar system. It was convenient and cost-effective, and such a system would be an asset to Cincinnati.
After Portland built a streetcar line, they saw an increase of $2.8 billion in city value.

Tampa, Fla., implemented a streetcar system and enjoyed $1.1 billion of development as a result. A consulting company predicted Cincinnati could see $1.4 billion in economic activity as a direct result of having a streetcar line.

There are 34 cities in the U.S. with streetcar systems and three more on the way. The cities range from Salt Lake City to Cleveland.

There are those who worry a streetcar would have a negative impact on the Metro system we already have. And yet, Metro’s Chief Administrative Officer Sallie Hilvers told The Cincinnati Enquirer she saw a streetcar system as a complimentary service to Metro.

So a streetcar system in Cincinnati would create jobs: good. It would stimulate the economy during a time when we couldn’t need it more: very good. And it would give UC students a chance to explore the city like never before: even better.

So what are we still arguing about?