January 9, 200916 yr Witte said Councilman John Cranley told him about a poll conducted last summer that indicated up to 70 percent of Cincinnati voters oppose the streetcar plan. LMAO! Seriously? Cranley told him about a poll? How about having Witte actually reference a specific poll? Not that polls are accurate anyway, or that gov't should be dictated by what the polls say. But AT LEAST require him to specify what he's talking about. I could reference a poll that "someone told me about last year" that shows 90% of Cincinnati voters are in favor of the streetcar plan, but that doesn't mean such a poll actually exists!
January 9, 200916 yr ^ Right? About 100% of the time I think Pete Witte is a moron. Now THAT is an accurate poll.
January 9, 200916 yr OK. I'm getting upset. Where are all the pro-streetcar council members right now? Charlie Winburn, NAACP and COAST are dragging this thing through the mud and all we have is Bortz defending himself more than the streetcar plan. I'm getting a little nervous too. You see dozens of cities across the country preparing for streetcar and light rail lines and Obama ready to give billions to mass transit systems and we have the same sticks in the mud who want to fight any progressive steps this city wants, no, needs to take...
January 9, 200916 yr I will move to my rental property in order to vote for Winburn and against the trolley!
January 9, 200916 yr I will move to my rental property in order to vote for Winburn and against the trolley! haha yes!
January 10, 200916 yr yeah.... i think that Winburn's Trolley should be voted for too... then you are more than welcome to move to Cincy and vote against the trolly. Winburn is a hack!
January 10, 200916 yr FYI: Jacksonville Florida just completed a preliminary feasibility study for a downtown streetcar. They proposed an initial system very similar to Cincinnati's plan. It would be a single lane loop about 4.3-4.8 lane-miles long. However, estimated cost is only between $65-$85 million Obviously, this is only a study, not a concrete project. However, you would think that Cincinnati leaders should take the hint when even the sprawliest and most suburban city in the country is planning a streetcar.
January 10, 200916 yr Hey, let's look at the bright side. If somehow the NAACP, COAST, Charlie Winburn, The Dean & DanB get their way, Cincinnati will be able to market itself 50 years from now as the last auto-dependant city in the US! Think of the tourism $$$$!
January 10, 200916 yr ^Hahaha! Very good insight. We could be the Disney World of automobiles and traffic jams! The city is going to grow with or without the SC, but it would sure grow faster and denser if we build one. Most American cities will see thier population numbers increase over the next half century.
January 10, 200916 yr Most American cities will see thier population numbers increase over the next half century. as opposed to what, not growing, or just suddenly falling into decline? am i missing something. . .
January 10, 200916 yr Author ^Hahaha! Very good insight. We could be the Disney World of automobiles and traffic jams! The city is going to grow with or without the SC, but it would sure grow faster and denser if we build one. Most American cities will see thier population numbers increase over the next half century. over the previous half century, Cincinnati's population decreased by 34%, meanwhile the rest of the metro grew by 139%
January 10, 200916 yr ^^Do you think that traditional trends are going to stay the same as the past 50 years? Just like like all of our property values are going to keep rising. The housing issues have brought that into perspective. Everyone will look at it differently though. Cincy is doing pretty good at attracting younger residents and a streetcar will speed that up. IMO, the suburbs have peaked in 95% of the country. They are unsustainable the farther you get from the city centers. All life revolves around oil and thats not a good thing. I personally know more people who grew up in suburbs and ex burbs and have chosen not to live their adult years like their parents driving to the gym. I know Randy and some of the other guys have put this stat on here before, but it sure makes you think! What if oil starts hovering around 3-4 bucks ALL the time? 1950 is the time when streetcars quit running in Cincinnati. Here's the population trends for the Cincinnati region since that time... 1950 2006 Change Cincinnati 503,998 332,458 -34% Balance of Hamilton Co. 219,954 490,138 123% Brown 22,221 44,423 100% Bulter 147,203 354,992 141% Clermont 42,182 192,706 357% Warren 38,505 201,871 424% NKY 225,277 408,783 81% SE Indiana 45,398 77,437 71% Region's Population 1,244,738 2,102,808 69% Cincinnati's % of Region 40% 16% -61%
January 11, 200916 yr This points to the fundamental problem that I think goes the very heart of why this economic situation may take longer to fix than most hope. Everyone knows that the real estate, retail consumption, suburban growth economy of the last sixty years has basically expired, but what comes next . . . It could be a return to the core or it could be something else entirely - a much more internet based economy with even less concentration so that folks who want the rural life could live there without any commute and a massive system of high quality home delivery - anyway, all that is to say that this is a real challenging moment to figure out what's next and to plan accordingly. Including, whether to invest in the core or in something else - I hope it will be a renewed densification with greater transit use, but it could be something else.
January 11, 200916 yr I think working from home is a smart idea, economically - if you're able to. You can make so much money with no overhead, and everyone has computers and telephones at home anyway. I know someone who does conference calls in their bathroom. I think it would catch on to some extent but most people like to physically separate their home life from their work life.
January 11, 200916 yr That prospect scares the crap out of me. Are all forms of social interaction really going by the wayside? It's one of the main reasons I jumped on the mass transit bandwagon. When I gave up my car 4+ years ago, I expected the extra money, but I had no clue how much happier I'd be. I found that when I started communicating with various new people during my commute I gained an appreciation for people. And now that I'm starting to see whole families on the bus, I really love commuting.
January 12, 200916 yr New weblog produced by CincyStreetcar.com: http://cincystreetcar.wordpress.com/ Check it out as there is general information about modern streetcars (about section), detailed route information for phase 1 (route section), and continuous news/data/info about Cincinnati's streetcar proposal. Add it to your blogroll, comment, and share the link with friends. Edit: Fixed Link
January 12, 200916 yr New weblog produced by CincyStreetcar.com: http://cincystreecar.wordpress.com/ Check it out as there is general information about modern streetcars (about section), detailed route information for phase 1 (route section), and continuous news/data/info about Cincinnati's streetcar proposal. Add it to your blogroll, comment, and share the link with friends. Hmm...that link's not working for me. I searched for "cincystreetcar" and "cincy streetcar" also and came up with nothing.
January 12, 200916 yr Witte points to a Jan. 6 letter in which Winburn requests Mayor Mark Mallory and members of City Council to “consider implementing” his $13 million trolley plan as “a two-year pilot test.” He sent a separate letter to some 400 local business leaders, asking them to support his trolley plan as “one of four major initiatives that can improve our local economy.” Winburn also has joined with the anti-tax group COAST and the NAACP in collecting signatures for a ballot issue that would amend the city’s charter to ban spending on “passenger rail transportation” without a public vote. Look, it's obvious that streetcar proponents (including me) consider this a really bad and potentially damaging alternative, and even a cursory reading of the "Book of Streetcar" will explain why. I don't need to get into that because most people on this thread are preaching to the same choir (and hint, it aint Charley Winburn's choir). The robber-tire trolley trucks are just a weak substitute, and ultimately can threaten to permanently kill any prospects of a streetcar if they fail miserably (which is highly likely if they are just going to follow the path of Phase I). It's a dimwitted apples and oranges type proposal, designed to appeal to a lowest common denominator (and, by the way, since when did "it won't tear up our streets" (to use a pet phrase of Winburn) become a policy-driving imperative?....does that mean we need to do away with below ground utilities as well??) My problem is that we are all preaching to the choir. There was a typical ignorant rube letter in the Enquirer this past weekend. Those are the people that need to be reached (if at all possible). And...moreover....those letters should never be allowed to pass without a rebuttal from streetcar proponents (I can only hope one is in the works). What might be more useful is if we find out how other cities may have fared with trolley trucks. To that end, I recall that Detroit once purchased a fleet of these vehicles, as a low cost alternative to a rail line down Woodward. They were an abject failure and pretty much consigned to a storage lot other than being used for special events. I asked a friend who is now involved in the Charlotte rail issues for some feedback on the issue. Here is his response: Yes – Detroit invested in them and completed under-utilized them. The main challenge--fare box revenue on them is terrible. Charlotte has a fleet of identical busses they use here in a system called the Gold Rush (The name actually has some good historical significance. Charlotte had significant gold deposits and had their own little rush in 1749.) http://www.charmeck.org/NR/rdonlyres/efvwps2ymmvhqwejq2li5in2c3c53vwjfelavv23bkpkfoev6vkvfexs73xr4kvrsi4teucs3gu5iy3gb2kqwevn7pa/GoldRushMap.pdf The busses run in three continuous loops – knitting several activity centers together in a free shuttle service. Each route is about 2 -3 miles round trip. Free of charge, weekday hours only. I ride it every morning and afternoon – lots of people in the Government Center use it to expand their lunch time options. SRO between 7:30 and 8:30 AM on 6 minute headways - same from 5:00PM to 6:00 PM. Rest of the day - if you have 6 people on it, its crowded. If there is doubt you can generate ridership, they are not a terrible alternative. Fully funded through the Center City Partnership – akin to 3CDC / Detroit Downtown Partnership. The Red Line loop will be replaced when the 10 mile streetcar system is constructed, but the other two loops will likely continue. I thought they were cheesy, but the bank employees love ‘em. Contractors staying at hotels can jump on them for free and be dropped off. IT guys that have to get between the towers and the back of office buildings ride them all day. Residents of Gateway Village like me use them to get back and forth to work. I think they are a good builder of support for fixed guideway systems as well as a feeder system to fixed guideway. There is also a much better likelihood of converting them to hybrid or hydrogen propulsion systems. Now I disagree that what translates as success in Charlotte will translate to success here, and nobody is proposing that these things will be complimentary (as far as I know), but it is important to know what examples are out there as far as anecdotal evidence is concerned, particularly if the detractors are going to lean heavily on this proposal. But in thinking this through even further...why not try and co-opt their proposal? Suggest that the trolleys service Phase II and feed into the Phase I streetcar system. This would also undercut the detratctors who argue "if it doesn't go to Clifton/Pill Hill why do it at all?"). Slap Wiburn on the back and send him on his way up the hill, hat in hand, to get that minimal funding necessary for his rubber-tired Phase II.....and we can all meet in the middle. Now I am not necessarily suggesting this as a matter of course. I simply find it frustrating that the streetcar proponents (myself included) tend to engage in theoretical in-breeding to an extent. We all join the same groups and exchange the same notes.....while the opponents are out their rolling around in ignorant, ill-advised rhetorical flourishes. The war of public opinion is at hands, people....to the barricades!
January 12, 200916 yr My problem is that we are all preaching to the choir. There was a typical ignorant rube letter in the Enquirer this past weekend. Those are the people that need to be reached (if at all possible). And...moreover....those letters should never be allowed to pass without a rebuttal from streetcar proponents (I can only hope one is in the works). Agreed, but perhaps even better than rebuttals would be if streetcar proponents simply wrote letters praising the plan and all of its various benefits, ignoring negative articles altogether. That way we stand a better chance of seeming to support a program that will obviously work, as opposed to appearing to defend a system that is doomed to fail. I'd rather see streetcar opponents on the defensive side of this battle.
January 12, 200916 yr My problem is that we are all preaching to the choir. There was a typical ignorant rube letter in the Enquirer this past weekend. Those are the people that need to be reached (if at all possible). And...moreover....those letters should never be allowed to pass without a rebuttal from streetcar proponents (I can only hope one is in the works). Agreed, but perhaps even better than rebuttals would be if streetcar proponents simply wrote letters praising the plan and all of its various benefits, ignoring negative articles altogether. That way we stand a better chance of seeming to support a program that will obviously work, as opposed to appearing to defend a system that is doomed to fail. I'd rather see streetcar opponents on the defensive side of this battle. right, right....frame the debate on our terms.
January 13, 200916 yr Greg Harris has been appointed to fill John Cranley's vacated council seat. A big win for streetcar supporters... http://www.urbancincy.com/2009/01/greg-harris-to-replace-cranley-on-city.html
January 13, 200916 yr My problem is that we are all preaching to the choir. There was a typical ignorant rube letter in the Enquirer this past weekend. Those are the people that need to be reached (if at all possible). And...moreover....those letters should never be allowed to pass without a rebuttal from streetcar proponents (I can only hope one is in the works). Agreed, but perhaps even better than rebuttals would be if streetcar proponents simply wrote letters praising the plan and all of its various benefits, ignoring negative articles altogether. That way we stand a better chance of seeming to support a program that will obviously work, as opposed to appearing to defend a system that is doomed to fail. I'd rather see streetcar opponents on the defensive side of this battle. Anybody volunteering to lead the militant/letter-writing pro streetcar task force? I don't have enough time to organize anything, but if we get enough volunteers who are willing to write letters to the editor they'll have to publish some of them. Right? Sound like an idea? Sign me up to write a letter.
January 13, 200916 yr Greg Harris has been appointed to fill John Cranley's vacated council seat. A big win for streetcar supporters... http://www.urbancincy.com/2009/01/greg-harris-to-replace-cranley-on-city.html Greg Harris has done nothing but impress me in all his endeavors. I thought he ran one of the most professional campaigns for city council that I can remember. Only thing that hurt him was lack of name recogntion. Good choice by the council Dems.
January 13, 200916 yr I also heard that Michael Moore the City's project manager for the Streetcar has been named as the interim Director of the Department of Transportation and Engineering. Does anybody know if this is a good sign for the project? I just hope he doesn't get bogged down with everything on the City's plate to devote enough time to the project. I wonder if the city will make public the list of vendors who submit a response to the RFQ?
January 13, 200916 yr I wonder if the city will make public the list of vendors who submit a response to the RFQ? Do an open-records request if you really want that information.
January 13, 200916 yr I think Charlie Winburn's idea for a rubber-tired trolley could work well on a route from downtown to Mt. Adams. Mt Adams is an area ripe for a touristy rubber tired trolley---and I don't think a streetcar path would work well up there.
January 13, 200916 yr http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=blog02&plckController=Blog&plckScript=blogScript&plckElementId=blogDest&plckBlogPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3aec38bb2b-982e-46ba-819a-da01a547e8eaPost%3a4b7d5d2d-bc3f-4891-834a-ab69b2016d9f&plckCommentSortOrder=TimeStampAscending&sid=sitelife.cincinnati.com Cincinnati: More Streetcar Money From Obama? Posted by JanePrendergast at 1/13/2009 10:17 AM EST Cincinnati officials pushing to install a streetcar system hope the Obama administration might free up more federal funds – and faster - for such projects. A new memo from City Manager Milton Dohoney says his staff is working on a report about the viability of a streetcar project and preparing to make a recommendation to City Council in March. A request for qualifications has been issued by the city to determine what possible contractors might be able to design, build, operate and maintain a streetcar line. It also asks potential contractors what financing they can provide. “All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking.” -Friedrich Nietzsche
January 13, 200916 yr I think Charlie Winburn's idea for a rubber-tired trolley could work well on a route from downtown to Mt. Adams. Mt Adams is an area ripe for a touristy rubber tired trolley---and I don't think a streetcar path would work well up there. That's actually not a bad idea. Maybe just a quick shuttle from Fountain Square to that Monk fountain, with no stops in between? Mt. Adams wouldn't feel so isolated from downtown then.
January 13, 200916 yr I think Charlie Winburn's idea for a rubber-tired trolley could work well on a route from downtown to Mt. Adams. Mt Adams is an area ripe for a touristy rubber tired trolley---and I don't think a streetcar path would work well up there. A streetcar could definitely reach the old streetcar landing where Celestial meets Eden Park Drive in front of the Rookwood restaurant. It would be a two block walk to the business district.
January 13, 200916 yr What if the fed starts contributing to a streetcar system, and the clueless degenerates at the NAACP get their 6,000 signatures to put it on the ballot in Nov? Do we then loose out on any federal help?
January 13, 200916 yr I think Charlie Winburn's idea for a rubber-tired trolley could work well on a route from downtown to Mt. Adams. Mt Adams is an area ripe for a touristy rubber tired trolley---and I don't think a streetcar path would work well up there. A streetcar could definitely reach the old streetcar landing where Celestial meets Eden Park Drive in front of the Rookwood restaurant. It would be a two block walk to the business district. I think a streetcar to that spot would be a huge win. Mt Adams isn't that big, most residents who would like to take it downtown wouldn't have more than a 5-10 minute walk to get to that spot, and vice versa.
January 13, 200916 yr Anybody volunteering to lead the militant/letter-writing pro streetcar task force? I don't have enough time to organize anything, but if we get enough volunteers who are willing to write letters to the editor they'll have to publish some of them. Right? Sound like an idea? Sign me up to write a letter. You can count me in a letter writing campaign to whoever necessary. I simply can't fathom the intense backlash to the streetcar and other transportation projects. I guess it's "BANANA" at its best? Sometimes you wonder how anything ever gets built. I do agree it's necessary to frame the argument on our terms, it's tiring defending the plan to the uninformed... EDIT: Fixed quote box
January 13, 200916 yr I think if the Obama investment is going to put money into streetcars, it has to be planned out on a national level. It should include investment in the car production and the tracks. It location that receives should be capable of sustaining continuing local investment and growth. There should a goal to use best practices for planning and placement and the like.
January 14, 200916 yr City to sell street lights to Duke http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090113/NEWS0108/301130032/1055/NEWS Cincinnati likely will sell its 20,263 street lights Wednesday to Duke Energy Ohio, which will pay more than $4 million, most of which will go to the city’s proposed streetcar line. The cost was calculated at $200 per light. It’s unusual for a municipality to own the lights anyway. Everywhere else, Duke Energy owns the lights and the poles from which they shine down, said Johnna Reeder, Duke spokeswoman.
January 14, 200916 yr http://www.wcpo.com/news/local/story/Cincinnati-Looks-To-Revive-Streetcar-Plan-NAACP/OQq_Xzf6IEKxc_p2OyjtSg.cspx
January 14, 200916 yr Anyone know if the NAACP is going to be petitioning Obama for speed bump funding?
January 14, 200916 yr CINCINNATI (AP) -- Cincinnati officials are looking into the possibility of using money from President-elect Barack Obama's economic stimulus plan to revive a $185 million streetcar project already under fire from the NAACP. Revive? When was it dead?
January 14, 200916 yr CINCINNATI (AP) -- Cincinnati officials are looking into the possibility of using money from President-elect Barack Obama's economic stimulus plan to revive a $185 million streetcar project already under fire from the NAACP. Revive? When was it dead? Do they mean the current streetcar proposal or the streetcars of old?
January 14, 200916 yr The WCPO blurb makes my head hurt. Using words like "revive" and giving credence to the NAACP "under fire" agitating just demonstrates how easily the debate can be skewed.
January 16, 200916 yr ^ Guys, unfortunately this "revive" word made its way into the title of AP wire stories reproduced all over the United States. On a different note, I thought I'd share this e-mail I received at Building Cincinnati from a resident of St. Louis. If he has a cogent point, can someone please explain it to me? ------------------- Came across your website. I am from St. Louis, Missouri. St. Louis is much like Cincy in the fact that its an old and cultured city. I am a big fan of BIG AM Radio stations and therefore I sometimes listen to Mr. Bill Cuningham through Podcast at work. In any event, I just wanted to let you know that like Cincy, St. Louis is a very conservative town. Even if you bring street cars and light rail to the region it will not have a dramatic change because there needs to be expansion to the systems and most likely the voters will not vote for it. St. Louis has had light rail now for a number of years. However it has failed to expand through out the metro area. It is located in my opinion where the majority the the metro population can not reach it. It will not do much for the downtown region as well. Back in its hey day St. Louis had 1 million peopole living downtown and in the city. Now its close to 330K. So even if St. Louis has a light rail system, casino gambling downtown, great sports events in the St. Louis Cardinals, Rams, Blues, you still see downtown St. Louis shut down after dark.
January 16, 200916 yr St. Louis just voted down a rail measure so it is very fresh in everyone's minds.
January 16, 200916 yr ^ Guys, unfortunately this "revive" word made its way into the title of AP wire stories reproduced all over the United States. On a different note, I thought I'd share this e-mail I received at Building Cincinnati from a resident of St. Louis. If he has a cogent point, can someone please explain it to me? ------------------- Came across your website. I am from St. Louis, Missouri. St. Louis is much like Cincy in the fact that its an old and cultured city. I am a big fan of BIG AM Radio stations and therefore I sometimes listen to Mr. Bill Cuningham through Podcast at work. In any event, I just wanted to let you know that like Cincy, St. Louis is a very conservative town. Even if you bring street cars and light rail to the region it will not have a dramatic change because there needs to be expansion to the systems and most likely the voters will not vote for it. St. Louis has had light rail now for a number of years. However it has failed to expand through out the metro area. It is located in my opinion where the majority the the metro population can not reach it. It will not do much for the downtown region as well. Back in its hey day St. Louis had 1 million peopole living downtown and in the city. Now its close to 330K. So even if St. Louis has a light rail system, casino gambling downtown, great sports events in the St. Louis Cardinals, Rams, Blues, you still see downtown St. Louis shut down after dark. One of the truest comments in this entire thread. The way St. Louis is described is EXACTLY how it is in St. Louis. STL is surprisingly quiet downtown day and night, even with the Metrolink. Actually, ridership is steady, but it's not dramatic. The cars are slow, and many areas off the train are, well, dilapidated to say the least. The reality of transit isn't economic unless it's a damn good system. Otherwise, you might as well call it a People Mover (no offense Detroit). Citywide streetcars/LRT to Dayton is the only way to get the idea of rail transportation ingrained into thick Cincinnati skulls, as well as cash in on the PROMISE of economic benefit.
January 16, 200916 yr On a different note, I thought I'd share this e-mail I received at Building Cincinnati from a resident of St. Louis. If he has a cogent point, can someone please explain it to me?[/i] ------------------- Came across your website. I am from St. Louis, Missouri. St. Louis is much like Cincy in the fact that its an old and cultured city. I am a big fan of BIG AM Radio stations and therefore I sometimes listen to Mr. Bill Cuningham through Podcast at work. In any event, I just wanted to let you know that like Cincy, St. Louis is a very conservative town. Even if you bring street cars and light rail to the region it will not have a dramatic change because there needs to be expansion to the systems and most likely the voters will not vote for it. St. Louis has had light rail now for a number of years. However it has failed to expand through out the metro area. It is located in my opinion where the majority the the metro population can not reach it. It will not do much for the downtown region as well. Back in its hey day St. Louis had 1 million peopole living downtown and in the city. Now its close to 330K. So even if St. Louis has a light rail system, casino gambling downtown, great sports events in the St. Louis Cardinals, Rams, Blues, you still see downtown St. Louis shut down after dark. I received the same email via UrbanCincy. Here is how I responded... I appreciate your email and would like to thank you for reading UrbanCincy. As you're aware Cincinnati is planning an initial route for what is hoped to be a much larger, city-wide streetcar system. As planning often goes not all visions become reality, but that should not diminish the importance of those plans. Mr. Cunningham is a powerful radio talk-show guy in Cincinnati and obviously beyond. I don't know him personally but his personal opposition to this project shouldn't come as any big surprise as he is an individual who makes his living off of people being in their cars. Roughly 80% of all people turn on their radio when driving. The fewer people driving means the fewer people listening to the radio; it's that simple. The proposed streetcar plan for Cincinnati won't solve our transit issues, or make Cincinnati a car-free city overnight. It will however put Cincinnati in the position to continue to move down that path in the future. I personally do not expect every person to want to live a car-free lifestyle, but by that same token I don't expect every person to want to live an auto-oriented lifestyle either. I hope that one day our transit network is as democratic and free-market driven as the rest of our great nation. Unfortunately for most Americans it is either the car or nothing. That can and should change. Thanks again for your time, and hopefully you come back and visit UrbanCincy in the future.
January 16, 200916 yr Otherwise, you might as well call it a People Mover (no offense Detroit). ...ahem....correction--"Person Mover."
January 16, 200916 yr Hopping on the Obama Train The Obamas and Bidens Will Make a Symbolic Journey by Train From Philadelphia to Washington The incoming president and vice president of the United States won't be arriving at the nation's capital in a private jet or fancy limousine. President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden will arrive in Washington, D.C., via train, making a symbolic "whistle-stop tour" that is reminiscent of past presidents. President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden have chosen a more traditional form of transportation -- the train. FULL STORY HERE: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Inauguration/story?id=6662916&page=1
January 16, 200916 yr I appreciate your email and would like to thank you for reading UrbanCincy. As you're aware Cincinnati is planning an initial route for what is hoped to be a much larger, city-wide streetcar system. As planning often goes not all visions become reality, but that should not diminish the importance of those plans. Mr. Cunningham is a powerful radio talk-show guy in Cincinnati and obviously beyond. I don't know him personally but his personal opposition to this project shouldn't come as any big surprise as he is an individual who makes his living off of people being in their cars. Roughly 80% of all people turn on their radio when driving. The fewer people driving means the fewer people listening to the radio; it's that simple. The proposed streetcar plan for Cincinnati won't solve our transit issues, or make Cincinnati a car-free city overnight. It will however put Cincinnati in the position to continue to move down that path in the future. I personally do not expect every person to want to live a car-free lifestyle, but by that same token I don't expect every person to want to live an auto-oriented lifestyle either. I hope that one day our transit network is as democratic and free-market driven as the rest of our great nation. Unfortunately for most Americans it is either the car or nothing. That can and should change. Thanks again for your time, and hopefully you come back and visit UrbanCincy in the future. Well-crafted response!
January 17, 200916 yr I don't think Bill Cunningham cares about losing ratings. He's already on satellite radio so his job is pretty safe. Even if the streetcar passed, it would probably have a negligible impact on his ratings in Cincinnati - definitely negligible nationwide. The anti- public transit stuff is just part of his act. Some people juggle, some people are mimes - Cunningham bashes anything progessive.
January 17, 200916 yr Jus Cunningham bashes anything progessive. Not fair, Cunningham at least has the guts to stand up and speak his mind. He realizes the ridiculousness of $200MM for a trolley to ferry people from the non-existant banks to Findlay Market. Any system that requires the majority of its riders to DRIVE downtown to get to it is a waste. Make it part of a comprehensive regional rail system and thats another story.
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