From: http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/cincinnati/memo-multiple-streetcar-construction-projects-closed-under-budget

 

The remainder (of the contingency budget) will be used to retime the Downtown signaling system that directs streetcar movements through traffic at intersections as well as to provide specialized equipment for things like street cleaning and snow removal along the tracks.

 

Glad to hear!

^Thanks, I assume that means simulated service weekends too, starting Aug 13&14, since the intent is to replicate the actual schedules and run assignments?

 

Simulated service starts on Sunday, Aug. 7th and will run on the planned schedule 7 days per week until opening.

BTW, the streetcar schedules are now showing up on the now poorly named "Bus Tracker."  Just look up Route 100:  http://bustracker.go-metro.com/hiwire?.a=iRealTimeDisplay

 

NOTE: Realtime tracking is still in testing, so don't trust the "estimated" arrival times shown.

BTW, the streetcar schedules are now showing up on the now poorly named "Bus Tracker."  Just look up Route 100:  http://bustracker.go-metro.com/hiwire?.a=iRealTimeDisplay

 

NOTE: Realtime tracking is still in testing, so don't trust the "estimated" arrival times shown.

 

It's currently showing the streetcar as "Off Route" which seems highly unlikely

 

 

Vehicle #:

Route: Over the Rhine

Status: (Off route)  2 min behind schedule

BTW, the streetcar schedules are now showing up on the now poorly named "Bus Tracker."  Just look up Route 100:  http://bustracker.go-metro.com/hiwire?.a=iRealTimeDisplay

 

NOTE: Realtime tracking is still in testing, so don't trust the "estimated" arrival times shown.

 

It's currently showing the streetcar as "Off Route" which seems highly unlikely

 

 

Vehicle #:

Route: Over the Rhine

Status: (Off route)  2 min behind schedule

 

With water wings I suppose it could go for a swim. 

 

BTW, the streetcar schedules are now showing up on the now poorly named "Bus Tracker."  Just look up Route 100:  http://bustracker.go-metro.com/hiwire?.a=iRealTimeDisplay

 

NOTE: Realtime tracking is still in testing, so don't trust the "estimated" arrival times shown.

 

It's currently showing the streetcar as "Off Route" which seems highly unlikely

 

 

Vehicle #:

Route: Over the Rhine

Status: (Off route)  2 min behind schedule

 

A truck was once again blocking the streetcars near the corner of Walnut and 4th Streets.  I have a window overlooking this area and the blocking of the streetcar happens multiple times a day every single day.  Until they start ticketing better and marking off that location as "no parking/stopping" (even for trucks) then the streetcars will always be off schedule.

I've seen this happen multiple times as well, and I only walk down Walnut twice per day. About a week ago I saw a car parked on Walnut between 5th and 4th blocking the track and a cab driver parked on the corner where they queue in front of the US Bank honked and yelled at them. The driver seemed clueless, so the cab driver got out and pointed to the tracks and told him he was blocking the 'train' and that he would get ticketed or towed. I was very proud of the cabby, and I enjoyed watching the whole thing.

I saw a woman on Elm texting on her phone while blocking the streetcar.  Even when the streetcar came right up to her car, honked, and flashed its brights, she still didn't get it. 

I saw a woman on Elm texting on her phone while blocking the streetcar.  Even when the streetcar came right up to her car, honked, and flashed its brights, she still didn't get it.

 

People are going to get such a dose of reality real quick. Hopefully not on a wide scale, because I don't want to see service interruptions because of people who don't understand how rails work.

Is it possible in the future for every street car stop to have a designated time board panel where we can visually see the projected arrival times of the street car?

Sounds like the streetcar construction officially came under budget. Now with a $2.5M contingency instead of $500K.

From: http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/cincinnati/memo-multiple-streetcar-construction-projects-closed-under-budget

Glad to hear!

...and from the Cincinnati Business Journal: http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/08/03/it-s-official-streetcar-is-under-budget.html

Is it possible in the future for every street car stop to have a designated time board panel where we can visually see the projected arrival times of the street car?

 

Most, if not all, of the stops will have this. Not sure about 5th and Walnut and 14th and Elm because there are no shelters there

 

All 18 station stops have realtime arrival displays.  We've also added IVR numbers to all stops so you can call in for realtime info.  If you're curious about the stop numbers are in sequential order from 9901-9918 starting at The Banks.  We've also added the streetcar to the GTFS-realtime feed, so you'll be able to see it's live location on various mobile apps including Bus Detective, Transit App, and our new Cincy EZRide mobile ticketing app rolling out September 1st.

 

 

Is it possible in the future for every street car stop to have a designated time board panel where we can visually see the projected arrival times of the street car?

 

Most, if not all, of the stops will have this. Not sure about 5th and Walnut and 14th and Elm because there are no shelters there

 

All 18 station stops have realtime arrival displays.  We've also added IVR numbers to all stops so you can call in for realtime info.  If you're curious about the stop numbers are in sequential order from 9901-9918 starting at The Banks.  We've also added the streetcar to the GTFS-realtime feed, so you'll be able to see it's live location on various mobile apps including Bus Detective, Transit App, and our new Cincy EZRide mobile ticketing app rolling out September 1st.

 

Do you know if/when the GTFS feed will show up on Google Maps? It'd be really nice for people to be able to get real time bus/streetcar info straight through Google Maps. I asked somebody at SORTA a year ago and they said they were working on it... but I haven't heard anything recently.

Christian Moer-line / Little Kings Loop

Cintas Circulator

Kroger Checkout Line

Luxottica Loop / Lenscrafters Loop

Medpace Mover

Scripps Circulator

SunnyD Circulator

Totes Trolley / Totes Tram

 

Any other suggestions?

 

What are Jack Casino's odds that naming rights will be sold prior to September 9?

My personal favorite is the "Skyline Streetcar."  We'd call it "The Sky-line" for short.  "Hey, let's take the Sky-line up to Rhinegeist for a few beers!" :clap: :clap: :clap:

 

 

I can't believe that after almost a decade we're 35 days from going live!

Great American Streetcar

5th/3rd Line (of credit)

Macy's Mover

Ruby's Rails

My personal favorite is the "Skyline Streetcar."  We'd call it "The Sky-line" for short.  "Hey, let's take the Sky-line up to Rhinegeist for a few beers!" :clap: :clap: :clap:

 

What about the Skyline Two-Way? Just call it the Two-Way for short.

I think this is a big miss for the streetcar. That it is basically ending up with it's name being "the Streetcar"(Big S) is just such a missed opportunity to build equity. In a city known for its branding talent, that's all we have?  Maybe once we have expansion, then we call it the "A train" or "Number 1" but for now I'd find a way to brand it so it is positioned as the first of several phases. I've even made the (admittedly weak) suggestion that we label it OTR/TBX (in a sort of NYC Metro style) and let transit users interpret that into a phonetic.

Technically it's route 100.

"The JACK Train!"

"The JACK-a-Loop"

 

I think this is a big miss for the streetcar. That it is basically ending up with it's name being "the Streetcar"(Big S) is just such a missed opportunity to build equity. In a city known for its branding talent, that's all we have?  Maybe once we have expansion, then we call it the "A train" or "Number 1" but for now I'd find a way to brand it so it is positioned as the first of several phases. I've even made the (admittedly weak) suggestion that we label it OTR/TBX (in a sort of NYC Metro style) and let transit users interpret that into a phonetic.

 

Other than naming it after a color or letter, which seems pointless given that it's the only line, what precedent exists for giving a transit line a name? I think it'd be corny to have the line named, and it'd further the notion that the streetcar is a frivolous toy rather than a serious transit investment. Now, once we get another line up and running, I definitely think they should be named, either by color, number, or letter. 

 

    "I think it'd be corny to have the line named, and it'd further the notion that the streetcar is a frivolous toy rather than a serious transit investment."

 

      ^ Nailed it.

I absolutely agree. I never understood why the thing has to be named. It's our streetcar system and as it expands it will get line designations.

I tend to agree UNLESS naming rights could generate so much revenue it would completely neutralize political opponents (not likely they'll listen to anything at this point though) or provide funding for planning the next phase.

Pre-revenue service has started. I ran an errand on my way to work today and saw the streetcar six times in about 20 minutes.

Pre-revenue service has started. I ran an errand on my way to work today and saw the streetcar six times in about 20 minutes.

 

It is ubiquitous.

If you look up directions on Google Maps and set the date to Sept. 9 or later, you'll find something interesting happening.

 

 

It's unfortunately telling me to get on at the MOF and then says (not for public use) instead of sending me to Findlay Market or Rhinegeist.

 

Hopefully that can be fixed before the opening.

This Clifton route is a good route. It is a much better route than the proposed OASIS commuter line. It's a better route than the Kingsport Corridor, and a dozen other routes proposed by paid professionals. It has a better chance of getting built than the Over-the-Rhine and Downtown loop. I would use it. I know lots of folks would. Why so much hatred?

 

Throwback!

 

Oh, and, 8th and State if you're still with us, I hope you're not a betting man. Looks like the chances weren't as good as you thought. 30 days!

There was a power surge last night in the 4th street area. Shut off the street lights and shut off the AC to my building on 4th and Race. This wasn't streetcar related was it?

 

 

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I don't know, but the streetcar transformers nearest to there are next to US Bank Arena or Court Street.

 

Also you can see the streetcar from surprisingly far way. I noticed it going down Walnut standing at 7th and Elm.

Anyone still concerned about frequency? I know ideally everyone seemed to want 10 minute head ways, but I've been all around downtown since 8 this morning and I keep seeing cars come by constantly and pretty frequently. Not scientific study by any means, but it seems pretty frequent.

I'm not too concerned about frequency. This morning I saw one passing the Courthouse station on Main Street and another one about to make the turn from Central Parkway to Walnut. That means that the third one was somewhere around Rhinegeist or Findlay Market if the spacing was even. Which seems about right to me. Now, if we could raise enough operating fund to have 4 streetcars going during peak hours, and headway got down to about 10 minutes, that would be amazing.

 

Regarding the Uptown extension, the next few months will be an interesting time to watch. The streetcar will open and blow away everyone's ridership estimates. The opponents will insist that the high ridership only temporary. Mayoral candidate Yvette Simpson will be actively calling for expansion of the streetcar up the hill to UC. Mayor Cranley has been saying we should take a "wait and see" approach, so what does he do once the numbers come in? Does he at least agree to study the Uptown extension to win over some of the streetcar supporters?

There was a power surge last night in the 4th street area. Shut off the street lights and shut off the AC to my building on 4th and Race. This wasn't streetcar related was it?

 

 

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No, that power surge was felt across the entire tri-state area, so it was something much bigger that happened.

In regards to the frequency, I'm sitting at the 6th and Main stop right now (~6:50-7:35 on a Weds) and it's so far erratic. The first train went by and then there wasn't another until ~27 mins later. I started the clock again and the 3rd train arrived 3.5 mins later. Then the 4th train arrived 8.5 mins later.

 

 

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It would be nice to have a bit more frequency around midday so you don't waste your lunch break waiting if you're using the streetcar to get around, but if they can maintain a consistent schedule (even if it's not technically scheduled) then that would help so you can plan ahead a bit.

Get yourself a Commemorative (Orange!) Token for $10 (or $12 if ordered online). Good for unlimited rides for the first week of revenue service.

 

http://www.go-metro.com/news/712/58/Cincinnati-Streetcar-Commemorative-Tokens-Now-on-Sale

 

http://www.go-metro.com/fares-passes/passes-order-page

 

It would be nice to have a bit more frequency around midday so you don't waste your lunch break waiting if you're using the streetcar to get around, but if they can maintain a consistent schedule (even if it's not technically scheduled) then that would help so you can plan ahead a bit.

 

The vehicles have counters at every door, and they will be able to count boarders and de-boarders at every stop. They will an analyze all these data, and I'm sure they will make adjustments as needed.

I wish the token was valid through Oktoberfest... I delayed my trip to Cincinnati by a week all because Oktoberfest moved for the streetcar. Either way, I'm still getting it, this is like the Pennants that WMATA gives out.

Metro / CPD should station someone at the Fountain Square stop weekdays at lunch... Wednesday it was a random SUV waiting to pick someone up, Thursday it was a Panera delivery truck, and today this driver for Wesley Community Services looked at the streetcar driver and waved them off when they blew their horn.

Did they think it was a bus? How are people this stupid?

I wonder if there would be a way to give streetcar drivers the authority to issue parking tickets. The camera on the streetcar could grab a still of the illegally parked vehicle and send it to parking enforcement, who could mail out a ticket.

I sent a message to Wesley Community Services and I would encourage others to do the same.  The only way we'll get these idiots to follow the law and be respectful of others is to make them accountable for their actions.

Did they think it was a bus? How are people this stupid?

 

I have personally witnessed people who quite obviously do not know what the tracks are.  I have no doubt that some people do not realize that the streetcars are confined to traveling on the tracks.   

 

I know this was discussed previously... but I can't remember the answer. Will Cincinnati's streetcars have any batteries installed (and/or capability to add batteries in the future) to allow for stretches of wireless track?

 

I know some stretches of Milwaukee's streetcar won't have overhead wires, relying entirely on battery power: http://www.themilwaukeestreetcar.com/fourth-street-extension.php

 

I'd be curious what the cost of batteries is and how that compares to the cost of installing overhead wires.

Cincinnati's vehicles don't have any ability to operate off-wire using batteries. However CAF Urbos 3 vehicles in other cities have been outfitted with batteries, so it is possible. For example, the Zaragoza tram uses batteries in the historic core of the city but uses catenary on the rest of the system. The batteries recharge when it is connected to catenary. We would have to retrofit our vehicles or buy news ones with off-wire capability. I don't really see any good reason that we would do that since we've already installed catenary in our downtown.

 

Seattle has an interesting situation right now:

 

- The original South Lake Union Streetcar uses a catenary and their vehicles can not go off-wire.

- The new First Hill Streetcar uses catenary while going uphill and then uses batteries while going downhill. So its vehicles have off-wire capabilities.

- When they build the Center City Connector through downtown (which will connect the First Hill and South Lake Union streetcars into a single system), they are not planning to have any wires through downtown. So the city will need to sell its existing SLU streetcars (most likely to Portland) and buy new ones that can go off-wire.

I could swear I remember reading on here about how our vehicles had small batteries that would allow the cars to get back to the car barn (MOF?) in the event of a power outage.

Batteries that would allow cars to get back to the MOF would need to be big enough to run half of the route wireless.  Those would be enormous batteries, which would then raise the question of why install overhead at all.  Small batteries would be enough to keep the vehicle's lights and doors operable, or perhaps to be able to clear an intersection at most. 

Batteries that would allow cars to get back to the MOF would need to be big enough to run half of the route wireless.  Those would be enormous batteries, which would then raise the question of why install overhead at all.  Small batteries would be enough to keep the vehicle's lights and doors operable, or perhaps to be able to clear an intersection at most.

That makes sense. Good point about the safety needs for small batteries, if only for lights/doors.