Atlanta and Marta to operate the streetcar jointly (school, buses)

[jsvh]

The real benefits of the streetcar will not be seen until it is expanded to it's future phases.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by jsvh

The real benefits of the streetcar will not be seen until it is expanded to it's future phases.

And all phases will be able to utilize the VMF under the connector bridge. No need for redundant facilities.

[noah]

I gotta say now that they have put up the overhead wires to power the streetcars the look is not good, even more wires to clutter up our landscape. And based on how the wind moves some of the street lights in town I wonder what effect they will have on these lines which look much less sturdy. What was the purpose of so much underground moving of utilities etc if they weren't going to use a modern technology that allows the streetcar to be powered from below.


New technologies provide alternatives to overhead wires - Greater Greater Washington

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by cqholt

And all phases will be able to utilize the VMF under the connector bridge. No need for redundant facilities.

They will probably have to build some additional VMFs in other locations as they expand the fleet. But this will still be the most expensive section (per mile) because it is the first and they will gain efficiencies of scale on the ramp-up.

[tikigod311]

I think the wires look fine and are pretty low impact. Just another piece of interesting infrastructure in the middle of the city.

imgur: the simple image sharer

Note - this was taken a couple months ago and they were just putting up the wire. I believe there are still installation tools on the poles/wires.

[cxbrame]

The experience with transit had by families and singles is a good point. The experience of tourists may be even more important when speaking of the streetcar. Transportation works best as a network connecting different modes. More options potentially creates more efficiency. On one hand, the best option for a family from Henry county may be to drive and pay to park for a few hours and return home. A family visiting from Mississippi, however might drive and pay to park at a hotel. Depending on the location of the hotel, the streetcar, buses, and MARTA become more efficient. Still a family from Arizona flies to Atlanta. The savings are even greater for taking public transit instead of taking taxis or renting a car and paying to park.
Not everyone is going to take public transit, ride a bike, or even walk more than a few feet from their car to the door of their destination, however providing options that cater to all of these modes, each street is able to carry many more people than cars alone. There will be plenty of families, singles, older, and younger riding the streetcar.

[noah]

Well yes that its one way to look at it, I have a hard time viewing it as interesting in a positive way.

Originally Posted by tikigod311

Just another piece of interesting infrastructure in the middle of the city.

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[arjay57]

Originally Posted by noah

Well yes that its one way to look at it, I have a hard time viewing it as interesting in a positive way.

In the old days they were viewed as a blight on the city, a spiderweb of wires, an urban eyesore, etc.

But I suppose they have a certain nostalgic appeal.

[cqholt]

Originally Posted by arjay57

In the old days they were viewed as a blight on the city, a spiderweb of wires, an urban eyesore, etc.

But I suppose they have a certain nostalgic appeal.

Thanks a lot the greatest generation.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by cqholt

Thanks a lot the greatest generation.

cq, cities had been decentralizing and moving toward automobiles since the 1920s. The old timey streetcars just weren't adequate.

What's sadder for cities like Atlanta is that middle and upper class folks seem to have pretty much turned up their noses at the bus. Buses are an excellent and very cost effective means of public transit.

Yet they won't do for today's generation.