The Benefits of a Streetcar

People enjoy riding streetcars! People are more inclined to park at the edge of a downtown area if they know that streetcar service is available, frequent and reliable. For downtown visitors, the area they can visit expands considerably if there is visible and frequent streetcar transportation. People who work in downtown can use the streetcar for lunchtime errands or expanding restaurant choices and the ride becomes part of the experience.

Investing in streetcars tells residents, local businesses, and visitors that a permanent commitment has been made to provide good transportation to the area. This can help create important social and economic benefits that make positive contributions to the community.

The permanent commitment demonstrated by the rails conveys to potential investors and residents that transportation will be available. Cities such as Portland, Memphis, and Tampa report strong community interest in housing and retail along streetcar lines, in some cases even before the line has opened. Both residential and commercial developments can benefit from the certainty that rail transit will be available. In Tampa, businesses have been so convinced of the benefits that streetcars provide that many have made financial contributions to the construction and/or operating costs of the line.

In the Transportation Research Board Special Report No. 1221, "Impact on Transit Patronage of Cessation or Inauguration of Rail Service" (1989), transportation researcher Edson L. Tennsyson concluded that rail transit is likely to attract from 34 to 43 percent more riders than equivalent bus service because of:

• Clearly identifiable rail route
• Delineated Stops
• Freedom from fumes and excessive noise

In San Francisco the new line attracted 35% more riders when they replaced the buses with streetcars. Additional transit options allow people to reduce inner-city auto trips. This reduction in auto use can represent a substantial relief to traffic congestion and air pollution levels.