What is a Streetcar and why is this picture important? And Welcome!

What is a Streetcar and why is this picture important? And Welcome!

What is a streetcar?!

A streetcar is defined as,

a rail transit vehicle designed for local transportation, powered by electricity received from an overhead wire। [Bring Back the Streetcars!, Weyrich and Lind, June 2002, emphasis added].

Not to be confused with Metrolink, a light rail system, light rail and streetcars work well together in other cities, and sometimes even share the same track. The main difference is purpose: streetcars are for local transportation, such as in the City of St. Louis. Metrolink serves regional transportation: the city of St. Louis and the counties of St. Louis, St. Charles and Jefferson in Missouri, and the counties of Madison, St. Clair, and Monroe in Illinois.

Why is this picture important?

You will notice on the right-hand side of this blog, I have listed a handful of American cities that already have modern streetcar systems, or are well into the stages of planning. Additionally, all of these cities have opted to use or develop a modern streetcar system, not a “vintage” or “heritage” system. There is a major difference between the three types of systems, and I want to highlight why a modern system is important and the right choice for the City of St. Louis.

So, why do I think this picture is important? Most obviously, this picture shows a Portland Streetcar, or more specifically, a Skoda streetcar, made in the Czech Republic. This car is popular for having doors on both sides and can be operated from either end. Moreover, the car is air conditioned, has a low floor, seats 30 and has standing room for 87, with big windows standees can see out of.

Next, and not-so-obvious, is the simplicity of the design. The pictured system employs a simple track structure, integrated into the existing street, and the streetcar is using an existing right-of-way. As you can see, the electric-streetcar is operating in traffic, along with internal combustion engine cars. The overhead power supply is unobtrusive. Upon closer inspection, you will notice that the overhead wire is attached to a pole that also serves as a light pole. Then you will notice the distance of the streetcar from the curb, still allowing for curbside parking. Overall, Portland’s elegant and simple design shows a streetcar system made to human scale, which fits within the city’s existing structure.

Welcome!

Welcome to St. Louis Streetcar Solution! The purpose of this blog is to examine political, financial, and legal realities that may be shaping St. Louis’ mass transit situation. I do not claim to be an authority on mass transit systems, especially in the City of St. Louis. I am on this journey with you, and I am hoping that by using information from the internet, other blogs, newspapers, and radio, I can shed some light on what’s going on with St. Louis City mass transit. Moreover, I think a modern streetcar system would be an excellent solution to our transportation woes, and would even be a commodity to the City of St. Louis. I invite your comments and questions! What should I research? Where should I look? This is our conversation space!