greenville2

Here's a post of mine from 9 years ago. I guess I started reading here about 11 years ago, time flies.

??? I don't understand what is suspect about my posts? I had an older account (maybe 5-6 years old) that I couldn't access, albeit with only a few posts. I am in the Dayton area, but I visit Downtown/OTR any chance I get. It feels like another world outside of Ohio, I spent some time in Europe and it makes me feel like I am back there. The streetcar just adds to that feeling and is a great asset even without major improvements. I just wish a couple of these smaller issues could be ironed out to improve upon that (and its expanded at some point). I have introduced maybe 10-15 people to rail transit for the first time via the streetcar, including some middle-aged suburbanites who only hear mis-information spread by the media. They turned a 180 and try to find an excuse to ride it when they are downtown for any event or at the market or whatever. I just thought that transit fans like me (I lurk a lot here) would be interested in hearing feedback from one of the target crowds, "tourists" who park in the basin somewhere and use it to circulate between attractions or events. I guess you don't have to believe the "dwell time" comment, but I thought I would share it because its the first time that had happened in that location. It was a little painful to sit there in plain view of the Banks stop and just be stuck waiting. The leg from central parkway to the banks on walnut is the most painfully slow part of the system, and the leg I ride the most. (I often park in OTR and eat somewhere there before riding to a Reds game). Main northbound seems to move a lot faster. And, as already posted, Elm/Race are quick enough as well.

This was all after leaving behind about 7 or 8 people at I think 7th street who were struggling with the Ticket-vending machine. The driver made an announcement towards the platform letting them know that she could not wait on them because she had to maintain a schedule.

I was in town again this weekend. The worst spot in the system in my experience is on Walnut street when it switches lanes right here: https://www.google.com/maps/@39.1009173,-84.5112943,3a,72.7y,172.15h,90.64t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sSjgk0vv0lRB9i5tA9mTB4Q!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 For whatever reason, every time I ride, it waits several cycles (5+ minutes) at this light. The weekend as well, after waiting for several minutes at that light, the driver pulled into the transit only lane between 2nd and 3rd and announced that she couldn't pull into the Banks for another 4 minutes to maintain headways, so we parked there for 4 minutes within sight of the stop. Why can't they just layover at the station so people can get on-and-off?

The machine prints them activated now. I actually use a flip phone because I work in a tech field and don't want to walk around with my work with me...but definitely will keep the app in mind for the group as a whole for future visits. I don't live in town, but visit the base for different reasons frequently. Just sharing some out-off-town perspective. The thing is, out-of-towners aren't usually downloading apps for just an occasional visit/ride...its a frustration when the machine is there but doesn't work. I'd love to see the machines just one the vehicle, so you can just board and pay there.

Had some more people on the streetcar the other day when in town. They enjoyed it, but their biggest complaint (like always) was all of the stopping at lights. They feel like they are crawling along, whether real or perceived. Also, its the first time I have had the machine not except credit cards...so it made for some stressful fumbling for cash to feed it while the streetcar was waiting on the station.

^The witnesses won't allow/sell parking in their lot. It is possible they could sell-out and rebuild elsewhere or more likely consolidate to their other buildings in the area, though.

Rode down to the game from OTR...lots of gameday riders before and after the game. Took some first-timers on the streetcar (as I always try to do). They all liked it, though their only complaint was the speed and the red lights. We must have waited at 5+ lights between Washington Park and The Banks. Also, why don't they cue up 2-3 trains after a game? It was crush loads without everyone getting on the first train, so we just decided to enjoy the nice evening and take a walk back.

Hey all, Quick question for you streetcar experts! The opening day parade got moved to the Monday following the game, correct? Does that meant the streetcar will be running on opening day? Got tickets for the first time, but wanted to think ahead about parking and logistics getting into the stadium. Thank you!