I hate to point this out, but aside from lunch times for the CBD, and the weekends (bar hopping crowds) I don't really see a practical use for this street car.

 

It reconnects 2 neighborhoods in The Banks, and OTR which is awesome in itself. But I'd hardly call either neighborhood bustling. Both are still struggling, but will continue to increase in population over the years. I still feel that the residences that use the street car on the OTR/CBD side on a daily basis is still a very slim number of riders.

 

I feel it's mostly used for outside surburban tourists to experience OTR/Findley Market, and a quicker way to reach the stadiums at the Banks on gamedays. I feel that the weekdays its going to struggle because our urban neighborhoods are still not their yet in terms of population, and we still struggle with this issue that so many employees who work in the CBD are people who would rather live in the comfortable suburbs than live in downtown.

 

I ultimately feel its incredibly imperative to connect this to Uptown, because at its current state it's essentially a tourist sight seeing bus on a track for suburban weekenders.

 

I hate to point this out, but aside from lunch times for the CBD, and the weekends (bar hopping crowds) I don't really see a practical use for this street car.

 

It reconnects 2 neighborhoods in The Banks, and OTR which is awesome in itself. But I'd hardly call either neighborhood bustling. Both are still struggling, but will continue to increase in population over the years. I still feel that the residences that use the street car on the OTR/CBD side on a daily basis is still a very slim number of riders.

 

I feel it's mostly used for outside surburban tourists to experience OTR/Findley Market, and a quicker way to reach the stadiums at the Banks on gamedays. I feel that the weekdays its going to struggle because our urban neighborhoods are still not their yet in terms of population, and we still struggle with this issue that so many employees who work in the CBD are people who would rather live in the comfortable suburbs than live in downtown.

 

I ultimately feel its incredibly imperative to connect this to Uptown, because at its current state it's essentially a tourist sight seeing bus on a track for suburban weekenders.

 

 

Repopulation takes a while, but it will happen. In the meantime, I'm happy with whoever is using the streetcar. If just 1% of the 200,000 people who've used it so far decide to move downtown or to work downtown on account of the streetcar, that's huge over time. Think of all the young kids who are being exposed to trains, to our terrific riverfront parks, to the diversity of Findlay Market -- that's gonna pay off big for Cincinnati as they grow and decide where and how they want to live

Using rail transit only a few times can get people hooked.

I hate to point this out, but aside from lunch times for the CBD, and the weekends (bar hopping crowds) I don't really see a practical use for this street car.

 

It reconnects 2 neighborhoods in The Banks, and OTR which is awesome in itself. But I'd hardly call either neighborhood bustling. Both are still struggling, but will continue to increase in population over the years. I still feel that the residences that use the street car on the OTR/CBD side on a daily basis is still a very slim number of riders.

 

I feel it's mostly used for outside surburban tourists to experience OTR/Findley Market, and a quicker way to reach the stadiums at the Banks on gamedays. I feel that the weekdays its going to struggle because our urban neighborhoods are still not their yet in terms of population, and we still struggle with this issue that so many employees who work in the CBD are people who would rather live in the comfortable suburbs than live in downtown.

 

I ultimately feel its incredibly imperative to connect this to Uptown, because at its current state it's essentially a tourist sight seeing bus on a track for suburban weekenders.

 

 

Those "suburban weekenders" are kind of the important people to get riding.

 

Someone who already lives in OTR or Downtown already sees the benefits firsthand daily. It's the people we haven't captured (the suburbanites who haven't been Downtown recently and haven't ridden a train in years/ever) who are important to impress. Convincing just a tiny percentage of that crowd that OTR / Downtown is a great place to live / work / visit means more long-term success.

I live in the CBD on 4th street and I use the streetcar for my grocery shopping on weekends. I do most of my shopping at Findlay and the streetcar makes this gem "closer" to me. In addition, I've used Red Bike to go to the Vine street Kroger and then used the streetcar to get back home. There are plenty of other uses for this than just lunch crowds/tourists. Pretty much whenever I want to go to OTR and it's not nice enough to bike/walk, the streetcar is a welcome transit option. I think the idea that as the weather turns colder that people will use it less is not completely true, since it's going to be great to have when it's freezing and I need to get to Findlay. Unfortunately, I work mostly at UCMC and I am unable to take the streetcar to work. I know many resident physicians who live in the CBD and would use this daily if there was the opportunity. In order to see commuter numbers increase, it needs to be expanded.

There was something that caused the downtown loop to close down, but only for ~15 minutes from about 12:30-12:45. Anybody know what happened?

 

https://twitter.com/CB_Connector

I've said it before, but I think it warrants saying again.  The biggest way to drive ridership on this phase of the streetcar (without any expansions) is to drive developments at the poles of the line.  In a walkable downtown like Cincinnati's, it's really nothing for someone who is able-bodied to walk 5-6 blocks.  That makes the streetcar have minimal utility for anyone in the basin looking to travel that distance.  Taking the streetcar from 6th and Main to 12th and Vine just isn't worth it for me, and I suspect many others when you account for wait times, fare, etc.  However, the equation changes dramatically if you're talking about going from, say, Rhinegeist/Findlay to Fountain Square, or The Banks to Washington Park.  The more we can develop around the ends of the line, the greater demand we'll induce. Thankfully, we are seeing development occur in these two zones.  The Banks has several more parcels to develop and the 3rd and Vine apartment conversion is large and close to the streetcar stop at The Banks.  In OTR, we're getting more action by Findlay Market with Towne's Market Square redevelopment project. But there's still so much more to go in that area. If the Findlay Market area can become a bustling section of the city (even on days when the market is closed), that will drive ridership much more than growth in the mid/northern CBD and southern OTR.

There was something that caused the downtown loop to close down, but only for ~15 minutes from about 12:30-12:45. Anybody know what happened?

 

https://twitter.com/CB_Connector

 

Apparently a MetroPlus bus crashed into the Streetcar. Saw some pictures on Facebook.

I've said it before, but I think it warrants saying again.  The biggest way to drive ridership on this phase of the streetcar (without any expansions) is to drive developments at the poles of the line.  In a walkable downtown like Cincinnati's, it's really nothing for someone who is able-bodied to walk 5-6 blocks.  That makes the streetcar have minimal utility for anyone in the basin looking to travel that distance.  Taking the streetcar from 6th and Main to 12th and Vine just isn't worth it for me, and I suspect many others when you account for wait times, fare, etc.  However, the equation changes dramatically if you're talking about going from, say, Rhinegeist/Findlay to Fountain Square, or The Banks to Washington Park.  The more we can develop around the ends of the line, the greater demand we'll induce. Thankfully, we are seeing development occur in these two zones.  The Banks has several more parcels to develop and the 3rd and Vine apartment conversion is large and close to the streetcar stop at The Banks.  In OTR, we're getting more action by Findlay Market with Towne's Market Square redevelopment project. But there's still so much more to go in that area. If the Findlay Market area can become a bustling section of the city (even on days when the market is closed), that will drive ridership much more than growth in the mid/northern CBD and southern OTR.

 

It goes without saying that now that the streetcar is here, and that casual and event-type trips comprise the bulk of weekend ridership, that if this thing had opened in 2011 or 2012 we wouldn't have anything like the ridership it's getting in 2016.  The Banks barely existed in 2011, Washington Park wasn't renovated, and there were almost zero bars, restaurants, or microbreweries along Race and Elm in Over-the-Rhine.  Rhinegeist alone is generating a lot of streetcar traffic (a business that wasn't even on the radar back during the Issue 9 and 48 years), and that in turn has motivated the Dunlap Café to stay open on weekend nights.  I haven't seen a big crowd there yet, but if some other things open at Findlay Market or thereabouts, it would drive even more ridership. 

 

Then again, if the streetcar had opened back around 2011, it would have motivated a lot more people to invest in the area instead of hesitating.  So I have no doubt that development would be 1-2 years ahead of where it is now. 

 

I've said it before, but I think it warrants saying again.  The biggest way to drive ridership on this phase of the streetcar (without any expansions) is to drive developments at the poles of the line.  In a walkable downtown like Cincinnati's, it's really nothing for someone who is able-bodied to walk 5-6 blocks.  That makes the streetcar have minimal utility for anyone in the basin looking to travel that distance.  Taking the streetcar from 6th and Main to 12th and Vine just isn't worth it for me, and I suspect many others when you account for wait times, fare, etc.  However, the equation changes dramatically if you're talking about going from, say, Rhinegeist/Findlay to Fountain Square, or The Banks to Washington Park.  The more we can develop around the ends of the line, the greater demand we'll induce. Thankfully, we are seeing development occur in these two zones.  The Banks has several more parcels to develop and the 3rd and Vine apartment conversion is large and close to the streetcar stop at The Banks.  In OTR, we're getting more action by Findlay Market with Towne's Market Square redevelopment project. But there's still so much more to go in that area. If the Findlay Market area can become a bustling section of the city (even on days when the market is closed), that will drive ridership much more than growth in the mid/northern CBD and southern OTR.

 

Not just this but the conversion of parking lots along the present line (and there are plenty) would do much to increase ridership.  The biggest key to the success of the streetcar is new construction that doesn't have dedicated parking.

So just saw pictures. Another accident at the exact same spot as earlier. This time with a concrete mixer.

So just saw pictures. Another accident at the exact same spot as earlier. This time with a concrete mixer.

 

Is that a separate accident from the metro bus accident around lunchtime?

 

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2016/11/01/streetcar-and-metro-bus-collide-downtown/93119268/

Yep. Asked the person and they were posted about 1 minute after taking them. Separate accidents.

I saw the 2nd one. didn't look like there has any damage to either the train or truck. there was roughly 10 people in neon vests looking into the accident.

Well that's good. The earlier one looked like it caused a decent amount of damage so it would be good if two trains weren't in need of repairs at the same time.

So just saw pictures. Another accident at the exact same spot as earlier. This time with a concrete mixer.

 

I still haven't been able to find pics. Who's posting these?

Incident with the Metro Plus:

Found this on Twitter:

How do people keep hitting a giant streetcar? Maybe we should've painted it in a very bright "caution" orange/yellow color.

...you kinda had that.

 

How do people keep hitting a giant streetcar? Maybe we should've painted it in a very bright "caution" orange/yellow color.

 

Hey, at least it's a moving target. I'm still curious how so many people run into the stops. Giant concrete structures that have been there for over a year now in some spots. But yet, people still run into them.

...you kinda had that.

You know he was being sarcastic, right?

Houston had a pretty significant amount of accidents involving cars hitting or driving into the paths of light-rail trains that operate as streetcars in the urban core.

 

That stuns me. The rails don't move and the streetcars don't deviate from them. So what's the probelm?? You'd think people would be a little more cautious around rails set in a street (especially with electric wires above them -- that's pretty much a billboard saying this rail right of way gets used a lot!). Instead, the opposite has proven true. Stunning.

On one hand, it's surprising. On the other, it really isn't. The amount of times I've almost been run off the road by someone not checking their blind spot is immense. People just suck at driving and really shouldn't be behind the wheel.

 

Personally I think driver's tests should be a lot more challenging than they are. It shouldn't be treated as a right, but more as a privilege for people who have proven they can properly handle a 1.5-3 ton vehicle moving at 75 mph or through dense urban areas.

Yeah - a huge number of accidents involve drivers crashing into stationary objects (posts, parked cars, barriers, etc). We don't get news articles written about each of those accidents, except when the crashed-into object happens to be the streetcar. These types of accidents would - almost certainly - be avoided by cars with safety sensors that apply emergency braking to avoid a collision. That technology already exists in some cars and will become more ubiquitous, regardless of if/when "driverless" cars become a thing.

I made the mistake of reading the comments on the article yesterday in the Enquirer. Apparently the accidents are the fault of the streetcar because it's a "hazard" that was added to the streets. Apparently avoiding a very large object is too hard for motorists and the blame should be placed on the streetcar.

On one hand, it's surprising. On the other, it really isn't. The amount of times I've almost been run off the road by someone not checking their blind spot is immense. People just suck at driving and really shouldn't be behind the wheel.

 

Personally I think driver's tests should be a lot more challenging than they are. It shouldn't be treated as a right, but more as a privilege for people who have proven they can properly handle a 1.5-3 ton vehicle moving at 75 mph or through dense urban areas.

 

Fat chance. Both the automotive and motorcycle lobbies don't want anything getting in the way of people being able to use their vehicles and they'll lobby to make sure that people are buying the vehicles that the companies want to sell them -- rather than the models that are actually proper and safe for their uses.

^^It's the same thing with people who complain every time a new roundabout gets added - never mind the other benefits, it's just too confusing and hard, and instead of bothering to figure out how to properly drive through it they just crash all the time.

 

^Speaking of lobbies, I'm almost surprised that police unions haven't come out against driverless cars. When you remove speeding tickets and moving violations from the roads, the revenue streams for a lot of these suburban police departments is going to dry up.

They can get cranky anytime people aren't in cars since it's easier to detain someone and pile up the charges when a car is involved.

...you kinda had that.

You know he was being sarcastic, right?

 

Yes, I was playing off of that.

They can get cranky anytime people aren't in cars since it's easier to detain someone and pile up the charges when a car is involved.

 

Police might lobby for streetcars to have front license plates. 

 

Nick Lachey to be voice of Cincinnati Bell Connector

 

 

It will soon be the dulcet tones of a Queen City celebrity telling Cincinnati Bell Connector riders which stop they're approaching.

 

Cincinnati-born Nick Lachey will soon be the voice of the streetcar, providing landmark and station information to its riders. Lachey's voice will be heard on the Cincinnati Bell Connector by the end of the year.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/11/03/exclusive-nick-lachey-to-be-voice-of-cincinnati.html

I've heard Cincinnati Bell has the right to make five marketing announcements each way between the riverfront and Rhinegeist.

HAHA, when I was riding the streetcar opening weekend I was jokingly saying they were going to do this! I was doing a really annoying impersonation of him and saying "Hey guys were about to hit the Jack Casino station, thanks for riding the Cincinnati Bell Connector, and remember to switch to My TV, pay for the channels you want, not the ones you don't".

 

I thought I was being obnoxious not prescient.

They're getting naming rights, vehicle wraps, station signage, and audio advertisements for $300,000 a year!?!? Not to channel Trump, but whoever negotiated that deal for the city/SORTA should be fired. This is asinine.

Yeah, it's one of the worst contracts I've seen in a while. Not quite as bad as the stadium deal, but still awful. As one of my former coworkers at Metro put it, "We just gave away the store."

I've heard Cincinnati Bell has the right to make five marketing announcements each way between the riverfront and Rhinegeist.

 

Is he going to speak or sing these announcements? 

Can you imagine how much more money Cincinnati could have gotten if we just starting selling ads now, capitalizing on all the good will the streetcar is generating? I've seen this happen many times: Cincinnati always negotiates from weakness

In other news, the streetcar and Metro got new websites today:

http://www.cincinnatibellconnector.com/

 

^ And...

 

Streetcar general manager resigns

 

Cincinnati Metro announced Thursday the general manager for the Cincinnati Bell Connector resigned from Transdev, the France-based company that operates the streetcar.

 

It's unclear why John Lee decided to resign from Transdev. Lee took over as general manager of the project during the first week of operation in September.

 

The former manager John Claflin stepped down due to a health issue, but stayed through the streetcar's opening weekend, according to release from the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority.

 

Cont

I've heard Cincinnati Bell has the right to make five marketing announcements each way between the riverfront and Rhinegeist.

 

I really hope these marketing announcements aren't very loud or long...

 

Metro Buses have been running an ad that goes something like this:

 

"Do you want a better career, and a better life?"

 

Ok, make me feel like a loser for riding the bus.  :oops:

They're getting naming rights, vehicle wraps, station signage, and audio advertisements for $300,000 a year!?!? Not to channel Trump, but whoever negotiated that deal for the city/SORTA should be fired. This is asinine.

 

One thing that I think we're overlooking is how much the streetcar is being helped by Cincinnati Bell. Forget the money.  Locals like Cincinnati Bell. Everyone knows someone who works there or who retired from there. Having the streetcar wrapped in the logo and colors of a local company (and rebranding as a connector instead of a streetcar) is helping wipe away the image problem that the streetcar has always had in this city.  And now they're tossing Nick Lachey into the mix. This positive PR is just enough of a nudge to overwhelm the language that has been used by opponents, which won't convert the opponents, but it makes it so much easier to reach the 90% of our population that doesn't know anything about transit or have a strong opinion on it.

I think the idea that as the weather turns colder that people will use it less is not completely true, since it's going to be great to have when it's freezing and I need to get to Findlay.

 

Agreed. Perhaps you've already noted this in Cincinnati, but when it rains, does streetcar use increase? Although we've had such dry weather there's not been many all-day rains to measure an enduring impact.

 

When it rains or gets snowy/cold in Cleveland, downtown transit options get very busy. Lots of downtown secretaries, office runners, go-fers, etc. cram onto trolleys, BRTs and the Waterfront Line to go to another office downtown to get documents signed/notarized/etc. And of course there's a lunch rush hour too for workers and students.

They're getting naming rights, vehicle wraps, station signage, and audio advertisements for $300,000 a year!?!? Not to channel Trump, but whoever negotiated that deal for the city/SORTA should be fired. This is asinine.

 

One thing that I think we're overlooking is how much the streetcar is being helped by Cincinnati Bell. Forget the money.  Locals like Cincinnati Bell. Everyone knows someone who works there or who retired from there. Having the streetcar wrapped in logo and colors of a local company (and rebranding as a connector instead of a streetcar) is helping wipe away the image problem that the streetcar has always had in this city.  And now they're tossing Nick Lachey into the mix. This positive PR is just enough of a nudge to overwhelm the language that has been used by opponents, which won't covert the opponents, but it makes it so much easier to reach the 90% of our population that doesn't know anything about transit or have a strong opinion on it.

 

Hm, I don't see it that way at all. I have no sense of Cincinnati Bell being a beloved local company in the way that maybe a P&G might be. They're a cable company, and people generally hate their cable companies because of their shady business practices and constant rate increases. I cancelled my Cin Bell service and switched to Time warner because those fools kept raising my monthly bill without telling me. I also think it's pathetic how much cincinnati touts and parades Nick Lachey around. Dude was a singer in a third rate 90s boy band and we act like he's an A Lister.

I've heard random people say things like, "Thank God they got a local company to come in and sponsor the thing and get rid of the Steelers colors." So, I would agree with Jimmy_James[/member] and say that selling the naming rights was a good thing for public perception, even if we probably could've gotten a little more money out of the deal.

I hope the streetcar has so extra security just in-case Some people try to take advantage of the verdict. Some will already be mad because of the election.

It's pretty awesome that 5 days can go by with no posts in this thread. It's no longer a political hot potato...it's just a part of everyday life. Sure, there are issues to be worked out and expansions to be discussed, but Phase 1A is chugging along, doing alright, and exceeding ridership expectations.

I hope the streetcar has so extra security just in-case Some people try to take advantage of the verdict. Some will already be mad because of the election.

 

There was a cop on board the car I was on yesterday around 5:00.