Cincinnati has such a law - you can't leave your car on the street without moving it for more than 14 hours. But imagine if we gave out 500 residential parking permits in OTR. How would meter readers ever keep track of who's been where for how long?

 

Chalk the tires?

Having meter readers put chalk marks on tires is one way to keep track of how long cars are parked. Might be thrown out in court, but it works in some places. Sort of like how the Dutch put stickers on bicycles -- then a few days later remove the ones that still have stickers.

 

I like having a small fee for 24 hours. Probably wouldn't be too controversial. I would hope we'd use printouts for windshields instead of installing a ton of meters.

Chalking tires doesn't work because not only can you not prove that it was a meter reader who put THAT specific chalk on the tire, you could claim you left and came back and it just so happened everything looked the same. Which is actually an argument that gets your ticket thrown out with the current situation (which is good to know). Nobody can prove you didn't leave and come back to the exact same spot and therefore they throw your ticket out. Hence the complete lack of bother to enforce the 14 hour limit currently.

"I just thought those were the lines you were supposed to park on"

I can guarantee they give you the, "are you serious right now?" face when you make a claim that it's just coincidence, but they know they can't prove it so they just don't bother. You'd have to put any and all ego you have aside though to make that claim in front of other people.

[Full Disclosure: I never wash my car]

 

I still have chalk on one of my tires from parking on a street in Athens, OH in about 2011 or 2012. There is still a distinct yellow "X" on my tire.

Chalking tires doesn't work because not only can you not prove that it was a meter reader who put THAT specific chalk on the tire, you could claim you left and came back and it just so happened everything looked the same. Which is actually an argument that gets your ticket thrown out with the current situation (which is good to know). Nobody can prove you didn't leave and come back to the exact same spot and therefore they throw your ticket out. Hence the complete lack of bother to enforce the 14 hour limit currently.

 

Like I said, it might not hold up in court. (Though apparently they do it in Athens?) But it doesn't have to be so simple as using a chalk mark alone to indicate a violation. When the meter reader chalks a vehicle, they record it electronically. Maybe snap a pic of car & license plate w/ cellphone, mark the GPS location.

 

There has to be a creative way to enforce the law that doesn't involve installing infrastructure.

Last night a woman, aged about 55, told me the streetcar was a stupid project because "it bypasses downtown". 

^I think that proves something we've all been saying. Those in charge really need to do a better job of PR. There's no reason that anyone in this city should think that. The general route should be talked about, the quality of the trains should be talked about, regular progress updates should be more obvious, what's along the route should be more known, etc.

 

The fact that people still think it's a 1 mile circle, rickety trolley that's only in OTR is sad.

We still have two years to go to counter a lot of these am radio falsehoods. The pr has ramped up positively.  Unfortunately I'm still reading these bizarre 'I'll never ride it out of spite' posts.  Hopefully rational people start to prevail over time and the Cranley administration makes a genuine good faith effort to let the streetcar succeed

 

It will also be interesting to see how smitherman, am radio and coast react to this bi partisan plan. I've heard rumors of coast and smitherman thinking about suing to stop it but nothing valid to substantiate it. Just random grumblings

 

Cranley of course said his permit plan was better but that he's looking forward to putting this debate behind him.  We've heard that before though

 

 

Last night a woman, aged about 55, told me the streetcar was a stupid project because "it bypasses downtown". 

 

I forgot to add that we were at 7th & Walnut, looking at the tracks.  Somehow that was not "downtown". 

Last night a woman, aged about 55, told me the streetcar was a stupid project because "it bypasses downtown". 

 

I forgot to add that we were at 7th & Walnut, looking at the tracks.  Somehow that was not "downtown". 

 

Please tell me you pointed this out. I mean, I could see you avoiding contradicting her without immediate proof at your disposal. But not simply inquiring along the lines of "what neighborhood are we in?" (downtown) "what are those?" (streetcar tracks) "does downtown have streetcar tracks in it?" (yes) would be too much of an opportunity for me to pass up.

Reminds me of when I was standing near the streetcar stop at 12th & Vine and overhead somebody say, "I dunno, it just seems like a lot of money for something that only goes from here to downtown." This person was oblivious that they were at the middle point on the route, not the northern terminus.

...that he's looking forward to putting this debate behind him.

 

He's not the only one.  I think the whole city is ready to move on to new business at this point. 

Amy Murray was on 700wlw with streetcar supporter Mike McConnell today.

 

http://www.700wlw.com/media/podcast-bill-cunningham-bill_cunningham/streetcars-and-media-bias-11614-25534315/

 

Pretty rational discussion. No real outlandish statements.  Its good to hear a normal conversation about the streetcar project

Streetcar construction on Walnut in the CBD (October 17, 2014):

 

There were some nice shots of the streetcar tracks during the football game last night.  Going by Washington Park, I believe.

Much of Race and Elm have been resurfaced in OTR:

 

 

 

Track going in near the MOF:

 

Last I heard, first vehicle is 100% on track for Sept 2015 delivery, possibly in the first week of Sept.  Then one vehicle will arrive per month until all 5 are here by Jan 2016.

 

Additionally, utility work has consistently been ahead of the track work which is huge, that wasn't always a guarantee and there were fears utilities could slow down track work. 

 

12th & vine switched last week to the new boom signals and the wires have been removed.  Boom poles were installed at Walnut & 12th this week. I'd bet the signals are installed this week and the signal switches before the end of November. 

 

The City and SORTA are almost finished with the operating agreement.  After that, SORTA can bid out operating service and have a chosen vendor by late spring who can then begin hiring technicians. It's key that the MOF is staffed by the operator before streetcars arrive.

Last night a woman, aged about 55, told me the streetcar was a stupid project because "it bypasses downtown". 

 

lol ... where were you when she told you this?!

 

* Nevermind, I see where you addressed this.

Last night a woman, aged about 55, told me the streetcar was a stupid project because "it bypasses downtown". 

 

lol ... where were you when she told you this?!

 

* Nevermind, I see where you addressed this.

 

 

It was an Uber passenger.  Always a great source for dingbat conversation.  I've noticed repeatedly that many "professionals" can't correctly identify local landmarks and have no sense of direction. 

Last night a woman, aged about 55, told me the streetcar was a stupid project because "it bypasses downtown". 

 

lol ... where were you when she told you this?!

 

* Nevermind, I see where you addressed this.

 

 

It was an Uber passenger.  Always a great source for dingbat conversation.  I've noticed repeatedly that many "professionals" can't correctly identify local landmarks and have no sense of direction. 

 

just start telling people (lying) that the eastern corridor highway will benefit downtown and we can shut it down in no time.

 

(referring to their no sense of direction)

Tracks will soon lead into the nearly-complete Maintenance and Operations Facility:

 

"First vehicle is 100% on track for Sept 2015 delivery"

 

he he he  :-D

 

 

 

Toured the MOF today. Pretty amazing place. A lot of thought has gone into it. City confirmed on tour that first vehicle will be here in September 2015, ready to go on the streets. Saw pictures of it.

Toured the MOF today. Pretty amazing place. A lot of thought has gone into it. City confirmed on tour that first vehicle will be here in September 2015, ready to go on the streets. Saw pictures of it.

 

Agreed and constructed with expansion in mind. Great facility.

The Operating agreement between the city and SORTA is out. I haven't read it all yet but here it is for the wolves:

 

http://city-egov.cincinnati-oh.gov/Webtop/ws/council/public/child/Blob/41203.pdf?rpp=-10&m=1&w=doc_no%3D%27201401367%27

As usual, Chris Smitherman/COAST/700wlw/55krc/John Cranley are being proven wrong More and More everyday

 

'Firm: Streetcar, new jobs spurring Cincinnati apartment development'

 

http://m.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2014/11/14/firm-streetcar-new-jobs-spurring.html?ana=e_du_pub&s=article_du&ed=2014-11-14&u=YhY%2FQfXAMCgNyFrEjw9v+w0e0d9800&t=1415997973&r=full

 

"First vehicle is 100% on track for Sept 2015 delivery"

 

he he he  :-D

 

Only 10 months away! I assume they'll start test runs soon after that.

^Will the power be ready then?

^

Weekly Construction Update

Monday, Nov. 17, 2014

 

Court Street to be closed at Walnut this Saturday for Traction Power Substation #2 installation

Court Street will be closed this Saturday, November 22 from 7:00am to 5:00pm for the delivery and installation of a traction power substation (TPSS) at the intersection of Court and Walnut.

 

Traffic on southbound Walnut between Central Parkway and 9th and on Eastbound Court between Vine and Walnut will be restricted.  Parking on Court between Main and Walnut Streets will be temporarily prohibited during the closure. Detours will be posted.

 

The TPSS provides electrical power to the overhead wire to power the streetcar vehicles along the route.  The TPSS unit is the second of four such units to be delivered.  The first TPSS was delivered in early October at the MOF site on Henry Street.  Additional TPSS units will be installed at Findlay Market at the corner of Race and Findlay Streets, and in the Riverfront Transit Center below 2nd Street. 

Gateway Quarter streetcar stop:

 

 

 

Walnut Street work wrapped up for the year:

 

Agreement: No bus money for streetcar

 

Check out the comments

I was nervous going into the comments section but was pleasantly surprised. Also humored.

Next up: Council's deciding whether Metro drivers and mechanics will operate and maintain the vehicles.

Agreement: No bus money for streetcar

 

Check out the comments

 

Okay, you tempted me to click. For those who'd rather not:

 

The comments are mostly people saying "Zzzzzzzzzzzzz," and out of the 7 total comments there isn't a single one that isn't essentially saying "this is trivial non-news." The article itself even admits "this was expected."

^ It seems more and more people are steadily accepting the steetcar as reports of the benefits continue to occur, but the Enquirer will probably never let it go even if there is no story.  I resisted the temptation to click on the previous link (although it's more like I refused to click) - thanks for the summary. 

How  does the operating costs keep going up? Didn't the audit say it would be 2-3 million a year? Now i'm hearing 4.1 million or more if a union operate it.

Latest streetcar throwdown: Who should run it – Metro or private company?

Chris Wetterich - Staff reporter - Cincinnati Business Courier

 

The latest flashpoint over Cincinnati's streetcar project centers on whether Metro employees should operate it or whether a private company's workers should do so.

 

The debate brings a longstanding national ideological debate before council: Can unionized public employees do the same work as cheaply and efficiently as those employed by a private company?

 

Vice Mayor David Mann has introduced a motion signed by all four of his Democratic council colleagues requiring Metro's parent company, the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, "to operate and maintain the Cincinnati streetcar using its own employees rather than a third-party contractor."

 

Cont

 

 

Enquirer's version: Union push to operate streetcar could increase cost

How  does the operating costs keep going up? Didn't the audit say it would be 2-3 million a year? Now i'm hearing 4.1 million or more if a union operate it.

 

The number depends on whether you are talking about the total cost, or the budget shortfall after fares are counted. Some also subtract the $900,000/year contribution from the Hale Foundation (which they are hoping to avoid having to pay with a full payment plan set up).

 

And I guess the audit was not using union employees. If they are in the same union as the bus drivers they would have to be paid more than a private company could afford to do it.

Because we're using Federal fund to construct, it's almost certain that whoever runs the streetcar -- SORTA or a private firm -- the vehicles will be operator by union drivers and maintained by union mechanics. It's not a union v. non-union thing.

It seems like we're better off letting SORTA make this decision. SORTA can put out an RFP and compare how much it would cost to use their own employees or use a contractor, instead of the city mandating it in the operating agreement and taking that flexibility away from SORTA.

SORTA: Streetcar deal changes could cut service hours

Jason Williams, [email protected] 2:09 p.m. EST November 19, 2014

 

The regional transit authority board on Wednesday postponed voting on the long-anticipated streetcar operating agreement with Cincinnati – fearing the city has proposed changes that could ultimately force SORTA to cut service hours of the rail line.

 

The city has changed the language in the draft of the agreement that could put the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority on the hook for any operational cost overruns, transit authority attorneys told board members.

 

That's a potential major problem, board members said during an hour-long discussion about the issue at the regularly scheduled monthly SORTA meeting. All of SORTA's money is generated from running the Metro bus system – and another provision in the streetcar operations agreement specifically says the transit authority will not be allowed to use bus money to run the 3.6-mile rail circulator through parts of Downtown and Over-the-Rhine.

 

MORE:

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/politics/2014/11/19/sorta-postpones-streetcar-vote/19273127/

Chris Wetterich ‏@ChrisCinciBiz  6m6 minutes ago

Cincinnati City Council approves the streetcar financing plan on a 7-2 vote. Smitherman and Winburn are ‘no’ votes.

 

Chris Wetterich ‏@ChrisCinciBiz  5m5 minutes ago

Council also approved an operating agreement with SORTA on another 7-2 vote with the same dissenters.

 

Chris Wetterich ‏@ChrisCinciBiz  5m5 minutes ago

Background on the financing plan council just passed. http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2014/11/05/cincinnati-streetcar-operating-plan-revealed.html

Smitherman was on 700WLW today and it sounded like 2009/2011 all over again.  Denied that the streetcar has received any federal funding. 

Chris Wetterich ‏@ChrisCinciBiz  3m3 minutes ago

Aide to the vice mayor tells me that even though the motion stops short of telling SORTA not to bid out the whole streetcar ops contract ...

 

Chris Wetterich ‏@ChrisCinciBiz  3m3 minutes ago

…there’s not majority support for doing so.

 

Chris Wetterich ‏@ChrisCinciBiz  3m3 minutes ago

The upshot is council wants SORTA to use its own employees to operate the streetcar.

I'm getting really tired of streetcar opponents yelling "We'll have to cut service hours!" every time any of these funding issues are discussed. On the bright side, it's all they have left, since they can no longer threaten a ballot initiative or crancellation.

I'm getting really tired of streetcar opponents yelling "We'll have to cut service hours!" every time any of these funding issues are discussed. On the bright side, it's all they have left, since they can no longer threaten a ballot initiative or crancellation.

 

They could always lie down in front of the first streetcar in effort to stop it. If that happens, I say to the Cincinnati Streetcar: "Full speed ahead!"

I'm getting really tired of streetcar opponents yelling "We'll have to cut service hours!" every time any of these funding issues are discussed. On the bright side, it's all they have left, since they can no longer threaten a ballot initiative or crancellation.

 

They could always lie down in front of the first streetcar in effort to stop it. If that happens, I say to the Cincinnati Streetcar: "Full speed ahead!"

 

Also today Smitherman/Cunningham were predicting that nobody would ride on cold days like today.  No, actually it will get people like myself who prefer walking to riding to ride when it's super-hot, super-cold, or raining. 

 

 

Also today Smitherman/Cunningham were predicting that nobody would ride on cold days like today.  No, actually it will get people like myself who prefer walking to riding to ride when it's super-hot, super-cold, or raining. 

 

 

That's so counter-intuitive that's it's not even worth directly responding to. A society that rewards such intelligence-anti gravity organisms with opinion-making, decision-making powers is not one destined for success.