How D.C. spent $200M over a decade on a streetcar you still can’t ride

Re:How D.C. spent $200M over a decade on a streetcar you sti... by afiedler on Monday December 07, 2015 @11:49AM (#10690597)

As a DC resident, this project is really ridiculous for a few reasons. First of all, it is no faster than a bus because it still does not have a dedicated right-of-way. It also follows the side of the street instead of the center, so it constantly smashes mirrors of parked cars. Sometimes, people parallel park poorly and completely block the tracks, delaying service until the car can be towed. Buses don't have that problem, obviously.

Finally, it is forecast to make $450,000 in revenue per year on $5.1 million in operating expenses. I realize most transit systems don't make a profit, but that is crazy. You could literally buy every single streetcar rider rides on UberPool for less money.

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Re:How D.C. spent $200M over a decade on a streetcar you sti... by Retric on Monday December 07, 2015 @12:31PM (#10690955)

Paying for Uber rides does not include paying for new roads. DC traffic is bad enough they need higher density options. If that's busses with dedicated right of way, or street cars with dedicated lanes, or new subway stations they need to do something that people will actually use.

PS: I don't live in DC in large part due to traffic issues, but also giving up the right to vote bothers me deeply. So, this is from someone that lives close to, but not in DC.

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Re:How D.C. spent $200M over a decade on a streetcar you sti... by natermer on Monday December 07, 2015 @12:43PM (#10691065)

Paying for rail doesn't do anything to alleviate the need to pay for roads though. The comparison really is paying for trolley vs paying for Uber (or whatever)

Rail is only useful in certain situations and it's only useful if done correctly. Neither of these things are happening in this case.

And don't worry about your vote. It's really irrelevant. It's really about making you feel like you have a voice then actually you having a voice.

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Re:How D.C. spent $200M over a decade on a streetcar you sti... by andys627 on Monday December 07, 2015 @12:45PM (#10691079)

There are a few reasons it's not ridiculous - will encourage development, it will encourage more people than buses will to switch modes, will make everyone healthier (lower med costs).

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