The original headline was "Cranley: We don't have to run the streetcar every day." Here is the original text of the article:

 

Part-time streetcar?

 

Maybe.

 

That's what Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley – who has never been a fan of the project – told radio host Bill Cunningham in the wake of Friday's Enquirer examination of where the money will come from to operate the streetcar.

 

"We don't have to run it all day, every day," Cranley said. "Remember there is no obligation that we have to run it on a certain level of frequency. So if it doesn't end up having a lot of ridership we can reduce the rides on it.

 

"Maybe we just do it on the weekend or days when something is going on - Reds games, Bengals games, that kind of thing," he added.

 

Streetcar operations are estimated to cost $3.8 million a year. That money isn't needed yet, but sources must be identified by next April. So far supporters haven't secured the entire amount needed to run the streetcar.

 

Cranley said now that the project is being built, supporters – as they promised – "really need to think about how they are going to pay for it."

 

"It will not comes at the expense of police and fire and basic services," Cranley said. "They will have to find another way to pay for operations."

 

In particular, Cranley pointed out there is no plan to put a special taxing district in place, something he said was promised during the council vote to re-start the streetcar project.

 

The new title is "Cranley: Create promised streetcar tax in OTR," and you can read the rewritten article for yourself.

 

How does Cranley keep getting away with tricking our media?  What is it about this guy that is so convincing to so many ordinary people and, apparently, to so many professional journalists?  I knew the guy was a phony back in high school, when I kept hearing the faculty fawn over him!

 

 

^My guess is a mixture of incompetence and being overworked.  It sounds like media outlets are running much leaner these days, to the point where a lot of the work is happening in other cities.  Stories are clearly being published without getting properly vetted.  Add to that the fluid nature of the internet, which allows mistakes to be seen as tolerable.  Back in the old days, articles had to be accurate before they printed.  Now most people view "the paper" online, and those online stories can be corrected at any time, so I'm sure the Enquirer doesn't see this as a major problem. 

 

"Cranley and Co." are very much aware that they can reach a substantial number or eyes/ears with a BS story legitimized by being in the paper briefly, because most people don't read the same article twice.  They are taking full advantage of that because the Enquirer either doesn't know or doesn't care that they are being co-opted in this manner.

I asked this years ago but I think it still applies: why isn't the city doing anything to sell the streetcar?  All we see are negative articles and comments but we never (or very rarely) see any positive comments from the administration about the benefits of the streetcar. Why don't they have a graphic of all the businesses that have opened or are planning on opening on the streetcar route?  It seems like any comments about the streetcar that are supportive are reactive to a negative article of some sort.  The city needs to be proactive in marketing the positives of the streetcar.

I asked this years ago but I think it still applies: why isn't the city doing anything to sell the streetcar?  All we see are negative articles and comments but we never (or very rarely) see any positive comments from the administration about the benefits of the streetcar. Why don't they have a graphic of all the businesses that have opened or are planning on opening on the streetcar route?  It seems like any comments about the streetcar that are supportive are reactive to a negative article of some sort.  The city needs to be proactive in marketing the positives of the streetcar.

 

I've asked the same thing and for some reason the city continues to say nothing while getting blitzed with negative pr. The map idea is huge, even though die hard opponents will never believe it, because it can change the narrative of the media and casual citizen. Other cities have done it

 

Meanwhile, wcranleypo picked up the story

http://www.wcpo.com/news/political/local-politics/mayor-says-streetcar-might-be-too-expensive-to-run-except-on-weekends-special-events

 

No fact checking. Now more people think he can just change the operating Times.

 

They are using the mahoganys gameplan. Bludgeon the project to death with falsehoods and negative pr so that the stigma is so great that the average citizen doesn't try to ride it out of impulse.

 

2 years out and John cranley and chris smitherman are already trying to define the streetcar negatively. Keep in mind the new city manager will start soon. He will relentlessly attack it as well

 

I am struggling to connect the Mahogany's issues with the streetcar issue in any way...

I am struggling to connect the Mahogany's issues with the streetcar issue in any way...

 

You're right.  I guess its a bit of a stretch but I was thinking in terms of Negative publicity, over and over, and over and over, and over and over and over, from the start helped mahogany's demise as well

Not that Machgany's failed to pay their taxes repeatedly...

Look, the streecar is going to be successful. Every one of them built to date has achieved ridership and economic development well beyond projections. The opponents just keep digging a deeper hole for themselves. They will be discredited.

 

Over the years, I've also noticed that rail opponents seldom advance to higher office. Even people who are rail supporters start to regard them as "out there" -- especially as the development keeps blossoming along the line and they travel to other cities and see what higher-level transit can do for a city. They are "shooting stars" who ride to initial electoral success based on the simple fact that they can say stuff and people don't know enough about urban rail to know any different. And so some believe believe them until the project opens and is successful.

 

I've seen this movie before, and I know how it ends. And it won't end well for people now taking their shots at the project. Let'em talk.

Not that Machgany's failed to pay their taxes repeatedly...

 

This, and she did the same thing relative to other taxes in Hamilton. She got close to a million of taxpayer $ to open at the Banks.

Probably a very nice lady but she doesn't know how to run a restaurant which is why Comisar is going to start managing the place, lol.

You know she charges a $10 cover on weekends with zero entertainment, all that does is keep people away.

Not that Machgany's failed to pay their taxes repeatedly...

 

This, and she did the same thing relative to other taxes in Hamilton. She got close to a million of taxpayer $ to open at the Banks.

Probably a very nice lady but she doesn't know how to run a restaurant which is why Comisar is going to start managing the place, lol.

You know she charges a $10 cover on weekends with zero entertainment, all that does is keep people away.

 

Not the thread for this, people. You guys knew what FakeCinEnquirer meant, whether or not you agreed with it. That's all that's relevant to the streetcar.

Maybe some students, their reach extended by the streetcar, will choose to give up their cars and live somewhere along the streetcar line. I doubt we're talking about a huge increase here.

 

 

This is very true, and the ones who choose to drive and park everywhere would benefit from a reformed parking program.

 

I hope you two are right that UC will see it that way. I agree with your thinking (I think it would be a benefit to UC students), but I'm afraid UC might jump into reactionary mode at the mention of parking cost increases.

I asked this years ago but I think it still applies: why isn't the city doing anything to sell the streetcar?  All we see are negative articles and comments but we never (or very rarely) see any positive comments from the administration about the benefits of the streetcar. Why don't they have a graphic of all the businesses that have opened or are planning on opening on the streetcar route?  It seems like any comments about the streetcar that are supportive are reactive to a negative article of some sort.  The city needs to be proactive in marketing the positives of the streetcar.

 

Who is "the city" in this case? The mayor is supposed to be the cheerleader for the city, but since he's opposed to the streetcar, he's not going to be out there selling it. The City Manager is aligned with the mayor and isn't going to sell it either. The streetcar's Project Executive is responsible for overseeing the construction of the project and he's doing a good job of letting people know that it's on time and under budget. There are also certain council members talking about the economic development benefits (most recently Chris Seelbach).

 

The true responsibility for marketing the streetcar will come from SORTA. They are currently working with an agency on the branding of the system. They will be the ones explaining the transportation benefits to the public.

Vice Mayor Mann was on Cunningham's show at 12:35 today and did a good job of quashing Cranley & Flynn's recent comments.

In positive news, David Mann has become very pro streetcar

 

http://www.700wlw.com/media/podcast-bill-cunningham-bill_cunningham/isis-mahoganys-rap-video-90314-25244206/

 

As Well as PG Sittenfeld

 

http://www.700wlw.com/media/podcast-scott-sloan-scott_sloan/pg-on-streetcar-paying-college-athletes-25242936/

^ Trips to Portland will do that. Still have a couple of rooms for the trip late this month. Won't be many more of them.

 

General Cable announces its role in the Cincinnati Streetcar Project

 

 

 

The Cincinnati Streetcar is currently in its first phase of development, which will provide the downtown and uptown areas of Cincinnati with 3.6 miles of track connecting key businesses and locations. The project will offer transportation services, 18 hours a day, 365 days a year. A car builder will manufacture five streetcars, with the capacity to hold up to 150 people per vehicle. General Cable’s Polyrad XT Transit Wire & Cable will provide the internal wiring throughout each vehicle.

 

For over a decade, General Cable, whose headquarters is in the greater Cincinnati area, has been involved in many of the city’s renovation projects - not limited to, but including: Paul Brown Stadium, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Great American Ballpark and the Cincinnati Zoo.  The Cincinnati Streetcar project is on-track to revitalize and connect communities throughout Cincinnati and beyond, promoting job growth, development and more livable communities. Much like the Cincinnati Streetcar project, General Cable is dedicated to connecting and powering people’s lives with products that are a critical part of both local and global infrastructure.

 

Read More Here:

 

http://www.masstransitmag.com/press_release/11676879/general-cable-announces-its-role-in-the-cincinnati-streetcar-project

The Enquirer had an analysis today of just what kind of schedule was promised to the feds.  Don't think anybody locally can do an operating schedule like this one posted by well-meaning but limited resource Kenosha WI: 

 

There might be some wiggle room on off-peak frequencies but what I read still says 18hrs. 7 days/wk  365 days per year.

  ^ Our new streetcars should have been yellow and green.

The Enquirer had an analysis today of just what kind of schedule was promised to the feds.  Don't think anybody locally can do an operating schedule like this one posted by well-meaning but limited resource Kenosha WI: 

 

There might be some wiggle room on off-peak frequencies but what I read still says 18hrs. 7 days/wk  365 days per year.

 

And Kenosha is still planning on expanding because of the first segment's success.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2014/09/03/feds-say-streetcar-operation-a-local-decision/15038705/

Feds: Streetcar hours up to the city

 

The Federal Transit Authority said Wednesday it does "not dictate the terms of operation" for public transit services like the streetcar.

 

In other words: The city can set the hours. Federal authorities sought to clarify who sets rules in the wake of comments by Mayor John Cranley that suggested hours could be reduced if operating revenue fell short. Streetcar supporters quickly expressed concern.

 

[...]

 

FTA's competitive grants for projects like the streetcar are intended to "provide service that is generally available to the traveling public." It is not, she said, for special-event purposes only as Mayor John Cranley suggested in a radio interview.

 

--

 

In the article are two paragraphs regarding Cincinnati's two applications that state the streetcar would be operated 16-18 hours per day, seven days a week.

Seriously, non-stop drama, so tiring.  The opposition will stop at nothing to make sure this fails.

Seriously, non-stop drama, so tiring.  The opposition will stop at nothing to make sure this fails.

 

They scheme, over and over and over again.  They can't let it go. They must think about it every second of every day

 

BTW, Chris Seelbach called out the Enquirer on Facebook over their streetcar sensationalist coverage.  Carolyn washburn commented and seelbach responded with a great response

Seriously, non-stop drama, so tiring.  The opposition will stop at nothing to make sure this fails.

 

They scheme, over and over and over again.  They can't let it go. They must think about it every second of every day

 

BTW, Chris Seelbach called out the Enquirer on Facebook over their streetcar sensationalist coverage.  Carolyn washburn commented and seelbach responded with a great response

 

I think even if you look at an article about the Tucson Streetcar, or even the Portland Streetcar, you get those comments still.  It will literally never end, just is tiring our Mayor is the ring leader.

Seriously, non-stop drama, so tiring.  The opposition will stop at nothing to make sure this fails.

 

We'll outwit, outplay and outlast them.

 

That's because it's a lot easier to love than to hate. Think about things in your life that you once said you hated -- I dunno, your sophomore English teacher, the girlfriend who dumped you, your landlord, whatever -- that hate probably burned out over time. Now think about the things you've loved. My guess is, you still love them.

 

We're the lovers, not the haters.

I don't understand why everyone is so upset.  Without Phase 2 or 3 or 4, would you expect the streetcar to be operational on a Tuesday night in February at about 10 or 11pm?  Would you really expect the city to foot that bill? 

^Yes. Yes I would. OTR and Downtown don't suddenly just die because it's February. People still live and work there. People still go out. People will still be calling for better transportation even (if not because of) in bad weather.

Seriously, non-stop drama, so tiring.  The opposition will stop at nothing to make sure this fails.

 

We'll outwit, outplay and outlast them.

 

That's because it's a lot easier to love than to hate. Think about things in your life that you once said you hated -- I dunno, your sophomore English teacher, the girlfriend who dumped you, your landlord, whatever -- that hate probably burned out over time. Now think about the things you've loved. My guess is, you still love them.

 

We're the lovers, not the haters.

 

John, I love ya too...but is this really our strategy?  These people are insane and we're planning to just sit back and say, "That's okay.  We still love you." 

 

We have TONS of cold, hard facts that can be used to hit them over their heads.  We need to plan a media blitz so that people actually USE it when it opens.  (Remember, there are still people that think Mt Adams is a dump, UC still has three sisters, and Laurel Homes will never get torn down.) 

^

AJ, to some people, including those who oppose the Cincinnati Streetcar, facts don't matter. They really don't. If Dayton were willing to write Cincinnati a check to build and operate the streetcar for 25 years, they would still hate it -- just doesn't comport with their view of the world, limited as it is. It's just going to take getting it done and showing Cincinnatians, many of whom are skeptical but fair-minded.

 

I'm not asking anyone to love the opponents, just pointing out that their hate of the streetcar will grow dim over time. People have already started to tune them out.

^

AJ, to some people, including those who oppose the Cincinnati Streetcar, facts don't matter.

 

5 Logical Fallacies That Make You Wrong More Than You Think

 

These guys are textbook examples of #1 and #5. 

 

^

AJ, to some people, including those who oppose the Cincinnati Streetcar, facts don't matter. They really don't. If Dayton were willing to write Cincinnati a check to build and operate the streetcar for 25 years, they would still hate it -- just doesn't comport with their view of the world, limited as it is. It's just going to take getting it done and showing Cincinnatians, many of whom are skeptical but fair-minded.

 

I'm not asking anyone to love the opponents, just pointing out that their hate of the streetcar will grow dim over time. People have already started to tune them out.

 

I completely agree that we're never going to convince the John Cranley's of the world. However there is also a MASSIVE population of people in Cincinnati who are complacent in their neighborhoods and won't EVER come downtown to see the streetcar. Those are people who can be convinced and right now the opposition is doing a great job convincing them. There's two years of brainwashing ahead before the streetcar opens. It's going to be another uphill battle if we wait until it opens to start convincing the media to talk about it.

^ They'll come. You'll see.

Cranley proposing $300-400 per year OTR parking permits for all residents.  All streets would be either metered or residential parking permit.  People in poverty would be free.

 

John-

 

While every line has been successful, has any line opened where the mayor is working every single day to make it a failure?

 

The goal here is to have it be an ugly mess so that in 2015 he can pass a strong mayor initiative that gives him all the power of the manager and to elect an anti-streetcar person to council to replace winburn.  Sitting around going, don't worry, in 2016 people will enjoy the streetcar may not be the best strategy when we need to elect a good person in 2015 and not allow strong mayor to pass.

Here's a streetcar LTE from a Westside suburbanite who wants to make the streetcar work. I think they have a pretty good idea, but why stop at one garage when there could be two?

 

At the end of the streetcar line, build a very large one- or two-floor fully enclosed parking garage with the streetcar running through it with loading and unloading platforms. Offer a fair parking fee to include free transportation on the streetcar to the Downtown business district. Make the garage easy to get to for the many people who live on the West Side so they can park and ride to their jobs Downtown.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/readers/2014/09/04/add-parking-garage-to-streetcar-stop/15070977/

 

Furthermore, we could tuck the garages underground instead of taking up valuable real estate and assaulting the eyes. Then the streetcar stops could just be near the garage exits instead of inside the garages. I vote we call them "The Banks Garage" and the "Washington Park Garage". What do you guys think? Too fanciful?

Here's a streetcar LTE from a Westside suburbanite who wants to make the streetcar work. I think they have a pretty good idea, but why stop at one garage when there could be two?

 

At the end of the streetcar line, build a very large one- or two-floor fully enclosed parking garage with the streetcar running through it with loading and unloading platforms. Offer a fair parking fee to include free transportation on the streetcar to the Downtown business district. Make the garage easy to get to for the many people who live on the West Side so they can park and ride to their jobs Downtown.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/readers/2014/09/04/add-parking-garage-to-streetcar-stop/15070977/

 

Furthermore, we could tuck the garages underground instead of taking up valuable real estate and assaulting the eyes. Then the streetcar stops could just be near the garage exits instead of inside the garages. I vote we call them "The Banks Garage" and the "Washington Park Garage". What do you guys think? Too fanciful?

 

Don't those garages already exist? the garage at the banks and W Park are very nice.

^ essentially yes. a 10,000 space garage is under The Banks. Park, go up the elevator, take the streetcar to wherever you want to go.

Here's a streetcar LTE from a Westside suburbanite who wants to make the streetcar work. I think they have a pretty good idea, but why stop at one garage when there could be two?

 

At the end of the streetcar line, build a very large one- or two-floor fully enclosed parking garage with the streetcar running through it with loading and unloading platforms. Offer a fair parking fee to include free transportation on the streetcar to the Downtown business district. Make the garage easy to get to for the many people who live on the West Side so they can park and ride to their jobs Downtown.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/readers/2014/09/04/add-parking-garage-to-streetcar-stop/15070977/

 

Furthermore, we could tuck the garages underground instead of taking up valuable real estate and assaulting the eyes. Then the streetcar stops could just be near the garage exits instead of inside the garages. I vote we call them "The Banks Garage" and the "Washington Park Garage". What do you guys think? Too fanciful?

 

Don't those garages already exist? the garage at the banks and W Park are very nice.

 

I think that was his point - what the LTE author wants already exists... and they have no idea.

Here's a streetcar LTE from a Westside suburbanite who wants to make the streetcar work. I think they have a pretty good idea, but why stop at one garage when there could be two?

 

At the end of the streetcar line, build a very large one- or two-floor fully enclosed parking garage with the streetcar running through it with loading and unloading platforms. Offer a fair parking fee to include free transportation on the streetcar to the Downtown business district. Make the garage easy to get to for the many people who live on the West Side so they can park and ride to their jobs Downtown.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/opinion/readers/2014/09/04/add-parking-garage-to-streetcar-stop/15070977/

 

Furthermore, we could tuck the garages underground instead of taking up valuable real estate and assaulting the eyes. Then the streetcar stops could just be near the garage exits instead of inside the garages. I vote we call them "The Banks Garage" and the "Washington Park Garage". What do you guys think? Too fanciful?

 

Don't those garages already exist? the garage at the banks and W Park are very nice.

 

I think that was his point - what the LTE author wants already exists... and they have no idea.

 

OK got it

 

Don't those garages already exist? the garage at the banks and W Park are very nice.

 

I think that was his point - what the LTE author wants already exists... and they have no idea.

 

The important part of his suggestion is that the parking fee in a "streetcar garage" should include a free ticket to/from that garage.  Yes, the Banks and Washington Park garages are already there, but I don't think there's been any discussion yet about having their fees cover streetcar fares. 

Chris Smitherman is rapidly approaching the title of Cincinnati's worst politician:

 

http://www.55krc.com/media/podcast-brian-thomas-morning-show-55krcMornings/brian-talks-to-smitherman-about-the-25246309/

 

He insults Ryan Messer in end of 1st half and beginning of the 2nd half podcast.  Says he's nowhere to be found and they talk about his tax abated property .

 

He also agreed with thomas that they could run the streetcar once a month

 

Chris Smitherman also said there will be more votes to kill the streetcar soon. He mentioned SORTA will cut bus routes again to funnel money into the streetcar operations

 

Thankfully the voting block of Mann, Sittenfeld, Seelbach, Young and Simpson should hold up.

 

These past 4 days are as much of a coordinated attack against the streetcar as I've seen since the 2 referendums

Chris Smitherman is rapidly approaching the title of Cincinnati's worst politician:

 

 

He didn't already reach it?

I think that was his point - what the LTE author wants already exists... and they have no idea.

 

The important part of his suggestion is that the parking fee in a "streetcar garage" should include a free ticket to/from that garage.  Yes, the Banks and Washington Park garages are already there, but I don't think there's been any discussion yet about having their fees cover streetcar fares. 

 

Yes, I was (cryptically, I guess :) ) making both of those points:

1) A joke about the LTE's author not realizing that the garage he wants already exists (two of them, in fact, though admittedly WPark isn't at the "end of the line" -- but it is on the periphery of the CBD and directly on the streetcar line), and

2) That the LTE writer's suggestion of a free streetcar pass w/ the parking fee is in fact a good idea. (I've been saying for years that this should be the case for these two garages.)

I completely agree that we're never going to convince the John Cranley's of the world. However there is also a MASSIVE population of people in Cincinnati who are complacent in their neighborhoods and won't EVER come downtown to see the streetcar. Those are people who can be convinced and right now the opposition is doing a great job convincing them. There's two years of brainwashing ahead before the streetcar opens. It's going to be another uphill battle if we wait until it opens to start convincing the media to talk about it.

 

People who matter in all 52 neighborhoods will come see it when it's up and running. Wait until streetcar opponents' kids see the streetcar and beg to ride it.

Cranley proposing $300-400 per year OTR parking permits for all residents.  All streets would be either metered or residential parking permit.  People in poverty would be free.

 

John-

 

While every line has been successful, has any line opened where the mayor is working every single day to make it a failure?

 

The goal here is to have it be an ugly mess so that in 2015 he can pass a strong mayor initiative that gives him all the power of the manager and to elect an anti-streetcar person to council to replace winburn.  Sitting around going, don't worry, in 2016 people will enjoy the streetcar may not be the best strategy when we need to elect a good person in 2015 and not allow strong mayor to pass.

 

-Rant I needed to get off my chest edited out because its unnecessary-  I spend about 100/year to have a car in Chicago btw, the Business Courier is forgetting that Chicagoans pay a 75/year (higher for SUVs and light trucks) city sticker on top of any residential permits they may need to purchase.

Mayor Cranley's plan for handling streetcar operating costs:

 

Mayor Cranley proposes $300 a year parking permits just for OTR, the most expensive in the nation.

 

Via the Business Courier & Believe in Cincinnati

 

 

This plan sounds great! It'll encourage everyone to ditch their cars and ride the streetcar!

 

Oh wait...or maybe it'll just encourage people to tear down more buildings to build their own lots.

 

I wanted to write that this plan is idiotic, but I really do think there's a workable parking plan in there somewhere. Cranley just doesn't seem to understand basic economics so he just throws numbers around for fun.

That Biz Courier chart has the wrong info for Columbus. Residents in all 31 permit zones only pay $25 per year. Only businesses on the east side of High in Italian Village are charged $100 for on-street parking permits for their employees.

 

The 300-400 dollar amount Cranley is throwing out, for all residents and streets in OTR no less, is both ridiculous and reprehensible.

That Biz Courier chart has the wrong info for Columbus. Residents in all 31 permit zones only pay $25 per year. Only businesses on the east side of High in Italian Village are charged $100 for on-street parking permits for their employees.

 

The 300-400 dollar amount Cranley is throwing out, for all residents and streets in OTR no less, is both ridiculous and reprehensible.

 

It only shows his disdain for that neighborhood.

Is the issue over the price or the permits themselves? In theory, permits in OTR make a lot of sense - keep the on street available for residents and forcing visitors to use garages. I would be curious about how much residents in Pendleton and the Clifton area near Cincinnati State are paying (maybe that was in one of the articles and I forget) and I would hope that the OTR Neighborhood Council would push back on the price but not on the concept.

 

I agree with ProkNo5, there is a workable plan in here somewhere. We don't have to go to war over every detail. Residential permits can be a gift to the neighborhood if priced right.

2,3,4 hundred dollars is ludicrous OTR is not some ultra wealthy 90210 part gated community that would pay that. The more Cranley talks this non sense the more I wanna get a group together and protest for his stepping down.

I agree that 300 is too high, but it is far cheaper than any monthly pass for off-street parking. I would gladly give up my monthly spot for a $25/mo permit if I was virtually guaranteed a place to park. Maybe the solution is cut that price in half or more, but make every available on-street parking space in OTR 24-hour metered. Then anyone with a pass just doesn't have to feed the meter.

 

As a property owner in OTR, and as many others have said before in this forum, I would gladly pay some kind of reasonable assessment as part of a special taxing district to help fund the streetcar. I consider this part of that conversation.