69 replies to this topic

[EvergreenRailfan]

Seems that the last 20 years, we have been having to fight to keep bus service intact, and get rail built, but that was against opposition from outside of the area. Now the opposition to transit expansion and transit priority, is coming from City Hall. I like how some oppose rail and favor a rapid bus, but oppose the bus lanes that make them rapid.

[KevinKorell]

Seattle, WA Times, 7/24/18:

 

 

 

Seattle’s new streetcars may be too big to fit tracks, maintenance barn, mayor’s office says

 

 

The new streetcars that Seattle ordered to expand the downtown streetcar system are heavier and longer than the ones the city now operates, and it’s unclear if they’ll work on the current track and fit in the maintenance barn, Mayor Jenny Durkan’s office said Tuesday.

 

Story is here.  It is hard to know whether this is a ploy by the Mayor's office to kill the whole streetcar system, or whether somebody really goofed big time by ordering equipment incompatible with the existing track and yard infrastructure.  And the story talks about possibly retrofitting tracks to conform to the size of the streetcars -- But if that were done, what happens to the current fleet that fits now?

[EvergreenRailfan]

The South Lake Union fleet, except for the one Amazon purchased, would be given to Portland, as they lack batteries. I think this is being used as a ploy to kill the project. The article itself shoots down one of the arguments the readers are posting in the Facebook comment threads on all the local news sites, that they are too wide.They might have a point on length. Perhaps a solution would be to switch to the Brookville Liberty.

[KevinKorell]

Another item in Seattle, WA Times, 7/25/18:

 

 

Seattle has ordered streetcars much bigger and heavier than the old ones — but is that a problem?

 

 

The Seattle Department of Transportation has known since at least last fall about potential compatibility issues with the new, larger streetcars the city ordered as it planned to expand its streetcar system across downtown.

 

This one

[CNJRoss]

The Seattle (WA) Times, 7/24/18:
 

Seattle’s new streetcars may be too big to fit tracks, maintenance barn, mayor’s office says

 

The Seattle Department of Transportation ordered 10 new streetcars in the fall, at a cost of $52 million, as it planned to link the two existing streetcar lines with a new line along First Avenue through downtown.

 

 

The new streetcars that Seattle ordered to expand the downtown streetcar system are heavier and longer than the ones the city now operates, and it’s unclear if they’ll work on the current track and fit in the maintenance barn, Mayor Jenny Durkan’s office said Tuesday.

 

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) ordered 10 new streetcars in the fall, at a cost of $52 million, as it planned to link the two existing streetcar lines with a new line along First Avenue through downtown.

 

But Durkan halted that work in March and ordered an independent review of the project’s finances, after a Seattle Times report said costs to operate the new system could be 50 percent higher than SDOT had publicly stated.

 

Continue here.

[EvergreenRailfan]

https://www.theurban...o-the-contrary/

The front page of yesterday’s The Seattle Times read “Seattle’s new streetcars may be too big for tracks.” It was a shocking headline–too shocking to be true. Both the South Lake Union and First Hill Streetcars use standard gauge tracks (1.435 meters) and so too will the Center City Connector streetcar that aims to link the two unconnected lines–if the project manages to survive the Durkan administration. Even if all three lines weren’t using standard gauge–and to be clear they are–streetcars are custom built; manufacturers adapt to specifications.

Mayor Durkan’s motivations in broadcasting streetcar doubts seems to betray a desire to kill the project, which is already on indefinite hold. Mayor Durkan paused streetcar construction in March, promised to release an independent review in June, delayed that and asked for streetcar alternatives to be studied, and is currently working with contractor KPMG–apparently on the hunt for more dirt–to now apparently be released in August.

[KevinKorell]

Column in Seattle, WA Times, 8/24/18:

 

 

Seattle streetcar connector could threaten bus ridership

Mayor Jenny Durkan has wisely taken a hard look at whether to pursue the downtown 1.2-mile streetcar, the Central City Connector (CCC), to run along First Avenue and Stewart Street.

 

 

Complete column continues.

 

And come on, already.  Enough trying to throw excuses at the wall and seeing which one will stick to it.   If streetcars will compete with buses, then it's time to shorten the bus routes so that they feed the streetcar, the same way they feed the Link light rail.

[EvergreenRailfan]

Councilmember Licata was a big booster of expanding the monorail. As for buses, They are being slowed down due to traffic. So bad 3rd Ave is now bus only for 13 hours a day. Also, Bus Rapid Transit has met it's match, with the Rapid Rise G-Line, called Madison St, 19% grades. So bad, no articulated bus can handle it.

[EvergreenRailfan]

https://www.king5.co...t/281-589677562

Seattles troubled streetcar project is now an additional $50 million over budget.

A cost analysis done during an independent review of the project found that, based on the current model, the Center City Connector will cost up to $252 million. That's more than $100 million over the original budget of $143.2 million and $50 million over the most recent estimate of $197 million

Later this morning, I'll be taking a ferry and bus trip to Port Angeles, if I make it to Colman Dock in time for a critical ferry to Bainbridge Island. This streetcar would have helped, as connections to the dock from the tunnel are non-existent. Buses keep getting re-routed. Foot traffic in and out of this major hub will be increasing as Kitsap Transit ramps up service on their cross sound routes. We got good co-ordination with the ORCA Card, but that is about it. The closest LINK gets to Colman Dock, is Pioneer Square Station, North Mezzanine, with a side exit on James Street, and the steep hill affects walking from the ferry dock. While not perfect, the Connector will have a stop much closer.

Also, a frequent complaint is Bus Rapid Transit is cheaper. Rapid Buses cannot handle Seattle 's steep hills. The Rapid Ride G line, on Madison Street has New Flyer stumped. The XT-60, can't tackle a grade steeper than 10%, and this former Cable Car Route has grades of up to 19%.

Edited by EvergreenRailfan, 01 September 2018 - 03:32 AM.

[KevinKorell]

Seattle, WA Times, 9/7/18:

 

 

How did we get here? A look back at Seattle's Center City Connector and streetcar history

 

 

As Mayor Jenny Durkan decides whether to continue construction of the First Avenue streetcar, we look back at the history of Seattle's streetcars and the developments of the Center City Connector line.

 

 

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