Comments on: Take a Ride on the Seattle Streetcar

By: CS in DC

CS in DC — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:05:53 +0000

How do they make the cars accessible to the handicapped?

By: T. R. Hickey

T. R. Hickey — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:16:13 +0000

Nice movie. Jamie: Škoda has partnered with "United Streetcar" to assemble their cars in the US, but that's all "United Streetcar" does. Hardly the same a domestic supplier, which is pretty sad considering the US was the streetcar supplier to the world a generation ago. Scott Mercer: You mixed it up. A "trolley" denotes a electric vehicle using a trolley ("troller") pole for current collection, whereas the South Lake Union cars use a pantograph. A "streetcar" is more broadly defined but usually refers to an electric railcar running in the street in mixed traffic. So...South Lake Union is a streetcar but not a trolley. The Route 99 Waterfront Trolley (when it returns) is a trolley not a streetcar. The Link Light Rail is not a streetcar (runs in streets, but not in mixed traffic) or a trolley (uses a pantograph). King County Metro electric buses ARE trolleys but not streetcars. Patrick McMahon: Would you and the cycling community please stop whining? Yes, there are now streetcar tracks in street and you have to watch out for them. Just like there are railroad tracks (used and unused) elsewhere in the streets as well as potholes, cracks, expansion joints, seams and other hazards you have to watch out for---not to mention all the crazy motorist that are out to get you. Get over! Carping from the cyclists are inflated by streetcar critics throughout the country to drive a wedge between advocates for alternatives to the unbiquious automobile. Can't we all just get along?

By: Patrick McMahon

Patrick McMahon — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 03:35:42 +0000

Unfortunately the film doesn't address the bike/streetcar issues. These aren't insurmountable, but some of the decisions made when designing the South Lake Union route resulted in challenges for cyclists. At the intersection of Fairview and Valley cyclists are routed onto the sidewalk and along Terry & Westlake there aren't good parallel facilities.

Even more challenging is that because of the frustration of cyclists, future streetcars in Seattle are going to be designed with stations in the median, which creates access & safety issues for pedestrians reaching the site.

These issues don't mean the Seattle Streetcar isn't the start of a good system, but I hope that future Streetfilms outside of NYC will address the positive and negative aspects of their subjects and how to design with those issues in mind.

By: MrColombia

MrColombia — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 04:48:31 +0000

How do you know who pays?? I mean who enforces? because i just see people walking in and out.

By: Scott Mercer

Scott Mercer — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 06:10:46 +0000

A "trolley" is not always a "streetcar," but a streetcar is always a trolley. A trolley is a trolley, because it "trolls" the overhead power line to get its power. That's why that pole that extends up from the roof of the car to the power line is called a "trolley pole." Therefore, a "light rail" is also a trolley, but, it is never a "streetcar," even if does run on the street for some portion of its route. A light rail will always run on a private rail right of way for at least part of its route. A streetcar runs on a street for all of its route. Have I alienated all the non transit nerds yet?

By: TheDude

TheDude — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 22:50:31 +0000

Siemens has a vehicle plant in Sacramento. They supplied the Denver vehicles and San Diego's.

As mentioned, Westlake is a great transfer point between the streetcar, Link light rail, bus, and the monorail. All the options are great. The fact that there are so many different options, which forces transfer is not so great.

By: uh huh

uh huh — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:58:59 +0000

Let's also point out to readers that the street car connects with the Sound Transit Link light rail at Westlake Station, providing a car-free, congestion-free connection to the neighborhood for anyone who can connect to the line between downtown and the airport. That line opens this coming July.

By: The Wallbash Cannonball

The Wallbash Cannonball — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 16:47:32 +0000

I was in Seattle years ago when I saw this first being constructed. Looks good, it just needs to be ALOT longer.

By: Fritz

Fritz — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:20:24 +0000

Seattle has a really interesting mix of transit options. I wonder how much more difficult it makes it since the different systems don't mix. Great film, looks interesting but 2 cars running at a time arriving every 15 minutes seems pretty limiting.

By: Clarence

Clarence — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:01:14 +0000

Jamie,

Thanks for that info. That's great news since the three Streetcar systems I am familiar with all are using non-domestic cars.

And as for S.L.U.T....yes, I debated putting that in, but I had already exceeded our usual write up length with my rant. But I was sure someone in the comments would mention it. Lucky me it was #1!

By: jamie

jamie — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 14:40:26 +0000

I believe that United Streetcar in Oregon is partnering with SKODA to produce American-made streetcars...

Also, how can you mention Seattle's streetcar w/o even mentioning it's nickname, the S.L.U.T. (and accompanying "Ride the S.L.U.T." t-shirts?