24 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

Michigan Chronicle, Detroit, MI 5/19/17:
 

QLINE extends free ride promotion for Detroiters

M-1 RAIL Announces Education Campaign as Ridership Exceeds Expectations

 

 

After a successful first week of passenger operations, the QLINE will extend free rides to the public for an additional six weeks, M-1 RAIL announced today. Revenue operations will begin July 1 with an additional rider and transit education program to occur beginning next week. 

 

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the enthusiastic reception the QLINE received from riders during our first week,” said M-1 RAIL CEO Matt Cullen. “We significantly exceeded our initial ridership projections. Residents of the Woodward Corridor, Detroiters from across the city and visitors throughout SE Michigan helped make this weekend a success and we’re committed to building on this opportunity. We appreciate all the great rider feedback we’ve received and we’re incorporating a number of suggestions into our operations.”

 

QLINE had nearly 50,000 riders its first week, averaging 8,300 riders per day over its first weekend and 5,120 riders from Monday-Thursday.  .  .  .

 

Continue here.

[KevinKorell]

Michigan State University Spartan News, 6/21/17:

 

 

Mixed feelings over Detroit’s new $187 million streetcar

 

The Motor City’s latest streetcar, the QLine, had its grand opening on May 12, 2017. It was the first time a streetcar rolled down the streets of Downtown in 61 years. Spectators from the city and suburbs alike made their way to the city to be the first to ride the trolley along its 6.6-mile loop.

 

Article

[CNJRoss]

Metro Magazine, 9/12/17:
 

QLINE aims to popularize streetcars in Detroit

 

 

Streetcar transportation has returned to Detroit, to the benefit of mobility and economic development.

 

SNIP

 

M-1 RAIL, the QLINE's nonprofit owner and operator, projects that the QLINE will average 5,000 rides in its first year and up to 8,000 rides within five years.

 

The QLINE represents a big step forward for Detroit, which went through municipal bankruptcy in 2013 and 2014. About 10 years ago, city business and educational leaders agreed that mass transit in the region needed a jump start, and that Woodward Avenue was the place to begin.

 

More here.

[Sloan]

 

 

How Detroit’s Streetcar Overlooked Real Transit Needs to Satisfy a Well-Connected Few

 

When Detroit’s QLine streetcar opened last year, the timing was awkward to say the least.

https://usa.streetsb...-connected-few/

 

I have some sympathy with the writer's point of view.  The Qline will have a difficulty attracting riders until it extends its route to trip generation points.    Sloan 

[KevinKorell]

Sloan,

 

If you remember, the M-1 agency originally wanted a conventional light rail line up & down Woodward Avenue, but going much further north --  parallel to and feeding the Amtrak Wolverines between Detroit and Pontiac.  It was cut back (and technology changed) to a slower streetcar running only a fraction of the way up to Pontiac, remaining within Detroit.  That's what they have today in the Q-Line. But its route was chosen because it does hit quite a few ridership generators.   While it misses the aforementioned bus hub (since the hub is on Michigan Avenue, not Woodward), it does pass Ford Field, CoAmerica Field, the new Little Caesar's Arena, many hotels, the Amtrak station, and it interfaces with the Detroit PeopleMover which DOES have a station next to the Michigan Avenue bus hub as well as many other hotels, casinos, the GM Renaissance Center, and other locations.  So while Detroit is still a dead city when it comes to industry, there is enough along the way that should provide for ridership.  It seemed to be doing rather well when I rode Q-Line last July, however that was during its free introductory period.