Blue Line

Well, unless the old rails they're pulling up are going to the scrap yards (or the dump), I'm wondering what they're doing with all of them. Call it wishful thinking on my part.

I'd be only with the school bus "plan" failing. What needs to happen is a quick regional amends that allows for a regional system of bus transit. Not next year. Not two years from now. Now.

"Ohhh, I haven't rode one of these things in what seems like 30 years!"

Thanks for the feedback. Now I'm wondering if it would be cheaper to recycle the old rails, and melt them down to create what's appropriate for the new streetcar. Then again, you said that the new cars might be too heavy for the old rails, so maybe the quality or alloy would be substandard at this point.

Well, what's so different about old rails? They use old freight rails for new rail projects already. I guess it would depend on cost. I'm just wondering if that's even been proposed here in Cincinnati.

I'm guessing they were buried under asphalt like we have?

I've never heard this question raised before, but what's the possibility of restoring existing streetcar rails to functionality?

So, I'm a bit confused. Does the article mean to say that the Enquirer Buildings will likely sit there as it has for a few more years?

Please please please bring that up to someone with some say in the matter. That's quite a great idea.

Sooooo...how are the trucks supposed to fuel up and not merge right into traffic? To the right is the automobile high-speed lane. I don't know about you, but it seems that's a perfect storm for more accidents.

Here's more information too, if you want it, LincolnKennedy. http://hometown.aol.com/chirailfan/cindate.html

Here's a link to a listing of all the lines running through the city as of 1925. http://homepage.mac.com/jjakucyk/Transit1/mapinfo.html#csr The corresponding map is here: http://homepage.mac.com/jjakucyk/Transit1/map.html

I think that it would come down to short-term vs. long-term investment. Plus, it goes back to the permanence of rail versus bus service. Overhead wires do nothing for the property values along a route if the vehicles don't run along fixed rails.

That or those buses disguised as old-time trolleys. There are also the sightseeing tour vehicles with multiple cars. If you're talking about the modern streetcar with rubber tires...I'm not sure I see the point.

A possibility for what? An NBA team? I think the UC area has enough traffic as it is. I could see that as safety issue as well.

I'd agree with that. It's like thinking about landing a entry-level job before becoming the department supervisor. You need to get the job first, at least. In the meantime, we'll play the waiting game. To get our fix, we'll get out of town and drool over what some other cities already have.

My question is: Why would anyone ever ride the Greyhound between the larger Midwestern cities? Of course I'm referring only to routes that Megabus currently serves. I know the advantage of Greyhound is its depots (I guess) and being able to buy tickets on the spot. I also understand that Megabus' limitation is credit card and online only. However, anyone with a library card (and CC, of course) can log on for a few minutes, reserve a trip, and pay dozens of dollars less. Plus, unlike discounter airlines in comparison to more comfortable airline giant flights, I'd say Megabus is first-class compared to Greyhound. And it costs less. Any feedback? Sorry if any of that came off as me being haughty. I'm just curious and somewhat baffled that megabus trips don't always sell out.

Light rail is mentioned in the draft version of OKI's Long Range Transportation Plan, but since funding hasn't either been secure nor has it been proven that it can be paid for, it's not included in the final version. There are rumblings about it here and there (more than is currently evident), but for now it's just a dream for the future.

Yeah? You must know something about the promise of private funding sources that most of us don't. Or you're just extremely optimistic. Either way, I'm okay with that!

I think that since Over The Rhine is so massive, we should bring back "The Northern Liberties" to the area north of Liberty Street (formerly Western Row). I know that it's all under similar historic status, but I think it might help: Market the area as a whole more effectively Indicate more localized criminal activity, instead of allowing any outsider who has driven down even one street in "OTR" to consider the massive area a wasteland Function as a community [pride] tool (like CUF and its several neighborhoods) Help property values on the fringe of OTR's northern streets (This one is pure speculation on my part.) Open up possibilities in The North Liberties from a historical standpoint The whole area is under historic status, but from a German cultural perspective, it's where they all retreated when Cincinnati wouldn't even tolerate Catholicism or alcohol. Within just a couple decades, the Northern Liberties became the most dense neighborhood in the area. Of course, the neighborhood was the first neighborhood annexed into the city. It's much more evident where the redevelopment is taking place if you break it up into Over-The-Rhine and The Northern Liberties. I think there's still more reluctance to fix up properties up there. My prediction is that it'll be at least another five years until the Vine/McMicken/Findlay intersection gets a a full facelift. The streetcar could add some energy to that.

First things first, but I agree.

I think that since Over The Rhine is so massive, we should bring back "The Northern Liberties" to the area north of Liberty Street (formerly Western Row). I know that it's all under similar historic status, but I think it might help market the area as a whole more effectively. It's much more evident where the redevelopment is taking place if you break it up into Over-The-Rhine and The Northern Liberties. I think there's still more reluctance to fix up properties up there. My prediction is that it'll be at least another five years until the Vine/McMicken/Findlay intersection gets a a full facelift. The streetcar could add some energy to that.

Great idea. It seems that the number of letters/e-mails I should be writing to different entities is growing quite fast. Thanks for the contact.

:clap: Good to hear! Personally, as a Cincinnati resident, I rarely go over to NKY anymore because of the smoke-filled bars, etc. I do remember the days of hazing coffee shops and bowling alleys here in Cincy. It's better kept as a memory. I'm sure people are saving on laundry costs too. ;)

Not sure off the top of my head, but is there an alleyway behind the Kroger store? If so, I'm sure it would still be extremely difficult to load stock through there.