October 5-11, 2018 COMMUNITY STREETCAR COALITION NEWS CLIPS

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Milwaukee WTMJ October 10, 2018 LINK: https://bit.ly/2pRapRP

There are now eleven lawsuits in the works for injuries involving the streetcar tracks. There's an open house for happening right now at Ogden and Prospect. The purpose of today’s open house is to show off how the hop is going to be accessible to people with disabilities. Right now there are actually several people inside The Hop learning about the features, including a spot designated just for wheelchairs. Even though The Hop is going to be accessible to all people, some people are having a tough time navigating around the tracks. “This is a hazard.” Law firm Hupy and Abraham is now working with 11 clients who say they've been hurt by the street car tracks. All of the incidents happening within about the last 3 months. Attorney Michael Hupy says all of his clients got their tires stuck in the street car tracks and fell off. 7 people were on motorcycles, 4 riding a bike. “Crossing the tracks at an angle vs. trying to ride parallel to the tracks is important.” Most of the incidents happened on the tracks near Milwaukee public market or on Ogden Avenue near Prospect. All 11 clients are now filing a notice of injury with the city of Milwaukee hoping to get reimbursed for their injuries. Yesterday one of the streetcars was damaged when someone parked on the streetcar lined opened their door, hitting the streetcar. “You really need to remember is to look over your shoulder make sure there's no oncoming traffic before you open that door, just as you would on any other street.” The city has launched a safety campaign for The Hop called Hop Smart. They have created videos to show people how to safely navigate the tracks. “It's really following the basic rules of the road. Following the traffic control that's in place, making sure that at intersections if it says no right turn on red, no turn on red.” The open house runs until six o’clock tonight at the Burns Commons Plaza. Passengers will be able to ride the hop starting for a year for free starting November second.

Oklahoma City KFOR October 5, 2018 LINK: https://bit.ly/2A57MC2

In just a little over two months, the streetcar will be hitting the streets. In that time, there’s been a lot of changes around City and the most recent is the street lights. On Friday, traffic signals on Broadway at NW 8th and NW 11th streets will be turned on. Electronic signboards are already in place alerting drivers. “It is hard for people to cross the street; people drive 40, 50 miles an hour here.” Now those drivers will need to slow down. Areas that once never had a traffic signal have them now. “We have traffic signals that are going to be turned on on Broadway, one is at Northwest 8th and the other is at Northwest 11th.” On Friday, city crews turned on all the lights along the streetcar routes. The new street signals will help guide the streetcars throughout traffic so drivers know when to stop and when to go. It’s a change that could help ease traffic, but it could also be good for business. Carl Wayne Wester is the owner of 822 Broadway salon and he hopes the new street signals near his shop will bring in new customers and keep folks safe. “I think it’s going to help slow it down and make it safer for pedestrians, people walking their dogs, walking with their kids.” Folks said the new lights could be a bit confusing for some drivers. However, they believe it will be a smooth ride. “I think as traffic figures it out it’ll be okay, but you’re going to have to slow down to figure out how it exactly works.”

2

PRINT COVERAGE Police: Two accidents in two days involving The Hop

TMJ4 By Pete Zervakis October 10, 2018

For the second time in two days, an inattentive driver opened the door of a parked vehicle and hit Milwaukee's new streetcar.

The Hop is scheduled to begin operating next month, but Downtown commuters have seen cars gliding along the tracks on test runs in recent weeks.

According to Milwaukee Police, officers responded to a "property damage only accident" near Jackson and Juneau at 11:40 a.m. Wednesday.

"A person who was parked opened their vehicle door and it was struck by the streetcar," Police said in an email.

No one was hurt.

The collision was the same type of accident that occurred Tuesday, according to police.

In a statement, officials for The Hop streetcar said:

"There was another incident involving The Hop today, again as the result of a parked vehicle's door opening into the lane of traffic. Nobody was injured, and the damage to both vehicles was minimal."

"Once again, the City of Milwaukee reminds the entire community to be diligent in following all of the typical rules of the road, including using caution when opening doors as bicycles, buses, cars, trucks or streetcars could be approaching from behind," a spokesperson for The Hop said.

LINK: https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/police-two-accidents-in-two-days-involving-the-hop

3 Milwaukee man suing over streetcar talk about crash, injuries

CBS 58 By Mark McPherson October 10, 2018

The Milwaukee street car isn’t fully operational yet, and there are already 11 people suing the city over the dangers.

John Rivera and his wife are suing the city to cover medical bills, after a crash in August when their motorcycle tire got stuck in the track near St. Paul and Water Streets.

They are suing the city to help cover medical bills… and hopefully force a change.

“We took a pretty bad fall, and the medical bills haven’t been cheap,” said Rivera.

John got road rash on his foot and arm, and hurt his knee. His wife got the worst of it.

“She had severe bruising all over her face, black eye swollen shut two days later actually, pretty good knot on her head, she also had three severe sprains in her knee,” said Rivera.

“Cross the tracks at an angle versus trying to ride parallel to the track is important,” said City Engineer Jeff Polenske.

Polenske says motorcycles and bikes need to be careful how they cross those tracks.

“That they’re making good movements across the tracks just as they would be when they’re crossing other obsticles such as manhole covers,” said Polenske.

But Rivera says that’s not always possible, and he’s not alone. In fact, his crash was not the first at that intersection.

“One of the officers that should up said, he literally showed me in the ground, he said do you see those scrape marks, he goes, that’s from the other guy that fell at the exact location,” said Rivera.

He’s suing to recover medical bills, but hopes it forces the city to make the tracks safer.

The city thinks it will just take time.

“I think there’s a time period here where people are going to become very familiar with how they should be operating around the streetcar,” said Polenske.

“We all love our city, we all want good things to come to this city, we all want people to come visit the city, we just want everyone to be safe,” said Rivera.

John’s wife still faces rehab on her knee.

LINK: http://www.cbs58.com/news/milwaukee-man-suing-over-streetcar-talks-about-crash-injuries

4 starts pre-revenue service

Progressive Railroading No Author Listed October 10, 2018

The El Paso Streetcar in Texas yesterday began pre-revenue service.

During this period, the streetcar will run its downtown and uptown loops without a safety escort, according to a press release issued by the Mass Transit Department.

Streetcar staff will operate the system's proposed schedule with no passengers on board as they evaluate "everything from streetcar speeds to roundtrip times," Sun Metro officials said.

The Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority (CRRMA) is responsible for building the 4.8-mile project, including remanufacturing six Presidents' Conference Committee (PCC) streetcar vehicles that ran in the area until 1974. Sun Metro will operate and maintain the streetcars and associated facilities when the project is finished.

CRRMA also is constructing track, overhead contact system lines, power stations and a maintenance and storage facility, according to the agency's website. Brookville Equipment Corp. is restoring six PCC streetcars for the system. The $97 million project is slated to be completed late this year.

LINK: https://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/news/El-Paso-streetcar-starts-pre- revenue-service--55849

5 Tampa transit agency drops streetcar fares, boosts service

Progressive Railroading No Author Listed October 9, 2018

The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) in Tampa, Florida, has eliminated fares and expanded service for its TECO Line heritage streetcar.

The streetcar will remain fare free for three years as a result of a $2.67 million grant from the Florida Department of Transportation. Previously, it cost $2.50 to ride the system.

The grant also enabled HART to boost service hours and increase frequency along the 2.7-mile line, which runs from the Ybor City neighborhood to downtown Tampa. On weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., service frequency will increase from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes.

The primary objective of the service change is to add another mobility and connectivity option for residents, employees and visitors in the Tampa area, HART officials said in a news release.

"Our customers wanted a service that fits the changing regional patterns of development and population trends, and a foundation to grow ridership," said HART Interim Chief Executive Officer Jeff Seward. "This 'New Era of Transit' will move us into a new direction and will also more fully integrate our bus and rail networks into a seamless system to better serve residents, customers, and visitors — not only today, but into the future."

The agency also has plans to extend the streetcar system between downtown and other surrounding neighborhoods, HART officials noted.

LINK: https://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/news/Tampa-transit-agency-drops- streetcar-fares-boosts-service--55841

6 New El Paso streetcar testing phase underway

KVIA 7 By Staff Report October 9, 2018

You will start seeing El Paso's streetcars more often starting Tuesday.

The city announced it will begin pre-revenue service. That means the streetcars will be on the road during the proposed hours of operation, but without passengers -- only drivers.

This is the next step for Sun Metro before it can launch the streetcar service for the public. The city hopes to make them fully operational with passengers by November.

Another difference in this new testing phase is that vehicles will no longer be escorting the streetcars.

It’s important that the streetcars be allowed to operate throughout the route with no blocks or delays during the pre-revenue service period, the city said.

Authorities will enforce all traffic ordinances that could potentially stop the streetcar from operating. Vehicles that are parked on the streetcar tracks or impede the streetcar from moving forward, will be fined and towed.

The city gave a few important safety tips to keep in mind:

- Do not board the streetcar even if the doors open at a station during this testing phase.

- Avoid driving in the bus Lane along Oregon. It's designated strictly for street and bus use, unless a right-hand turn is necessary.

- Drivers should not go around or cut off the streetcar. The streetcar can start moving unexpectedly. If a streetcar is stopped for an extended period of time due to an interruption, it will turn on hazard lights, indicating that it is OK to go around it.

- Pedestrians should be extra careful. Even at posted un-signalized crosswalks, the streetcar cannot make abrupt stops.

- Cyclists should avoid riding near streetcar tracks. Track grooves are slightly wider than the typical bike tire, so it’s easy for tires to become caught between the rails. Always cross rails at a 90 degree angle.

LINK: https://www.kvia.com/news/el-paso/new-el-paso-streetcar-testing-phase- underway/804769290

7 No injuries, minor damage after car door hits Milwaukee streetcar during training run

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel By James B. Nelson October 9, 2018

One of the new Milwaukee streetcars was involved in a minor accident on North Jackson Street Tuesday morning.

The incident happened in the southbound lane of North Jackson between East Juneau Avenue and East State Street, a spokesman for the streetcar, known as The Hop, said in an emailed statement.

"A vehicle parked on the west side of Jackson opened its door into the lane of traffic, resulting in contact between the vehicle door and the streetcar. Nobody was injured, though both vehicles incurred minor damage."

General safety tips for bicyclists when traveling along streetcar routes Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Drivers are doing practice runs on the 2.5 miles of streetcar lines that have been installed in downtown Milwaukee in anticipation of the service launch on Nov. 2.

“This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper parking along the streetcar route," streetcar spokesman Mark Rosenberg said.

"Vehicles must always be parked completely inside the striping on the road, and motorists should always use caution when opening doors as bicycles, buses, cars, trucks or streetcars could be approaching from behind."

LINK: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/local/2018/10/09/car-door-opened-into-path- milwaukee-streetcar/1580675002/

8 #OKC Civic Life for October 8, 2018

The Oklahoman By William Crum October 8, 2018

The Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to levy a $10 fine for riding the streetcar without a valid fare card. The council initially considered levying a $500 fine on individuals caught riding without paying, or riding after their fare had expired, but deferred a vote on the matter last month. The base fare to ride the streetcar will be $1 for a one-hour pass. A day pass will be $3.

Streetcar testing moves into the central business district this week. Beginning with an overnight test starting at 8 p.m. Monday, streetcars will be on the downtown loop, the longer of the two routes. The downtown loop links Midtown and Bricktown through the heart of downtown. The first daytime tests on the downtown loop are to begin at 7 a.m. Tuesday. Testing has been going on since May on the shorter Bricktown loop.

Worth noting: Each streetcar must have at least 310 miles of testing before being certified to carry passengers. Six of Oklahoma City's seven streetcars have been delivered; the seventh is due from the manufacturer in western Pennsylvania on Oct. 27.

MAPS 3 streetcar construction is wrapping up downtown. Streetcar service begins in December.

• Streetcars run on the Bricktown and downtown loops as operator training continues.

• Track installation continues on the NW 5 "turnback" between Broadway and Robinson.

LINK: https://newsok.com/article/5610965/okc-civic-life-for-monday-oct-8-2018

9 Tampa Bay can now hop aboard TECO streetcar line for free

Creative Loafing Tampa Bay By Meaghan Habuda October 8, 2018

As of Oct. 7, the TECO Line Streetcar System is free to ride from Ybor City to downtown Tampa — for three years. Commuters previously paid $2.50 to hop aboard the 2.7-mile streetcar service, but an $890,000 per year grant was awarded to HART by the Florida Department of Transportation to offset fare revenues.

The grant has also allowed the TECO Line Streetcar to launch longer hours of operation and more frequency, improving the way both residents and visitors get around town. Streetcar service now takes place every 15 minutes, rather than every 20, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays while providing extended hours throughout the week.

“Our customers wanted a service that fits the changing regional patterns of development and population trends, and a foundation to grow ridership,” said HART Interim CEO Jeff Seward in a statement late last week. “This ‘New Era of Transit’ will move us into a new direction and will also more fully integrate our bus and rail networks into a seamless system to better serve residents, customers, and visitors, not only today, but into the future.”

The TECO Line Streetcar has served Tampa Bay with 11 stops for nearly 16 years. This enhanced version of the transit option boosts urban mobility in Ybor and downtown Tampa, and the extensions it has planned for the future are expected to create a convenient link between downtown and other surrounding neighborhoods as well.

LINK: https://www.cltampa.com/news-views/local-news/article/21026065/tampa-bay-can-now- hop-aboard-teco-line-streetcar-for-free

10 Free rides on this weekend

News 4 Tuscon By News 4 Tuscon Staff October 8, 2018

The Sun Link streetcar will be serving free rides all day from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. this Saturday, Oct. 13.

They said it will provide transportation to downtown, where weekend events like Tucson Meet Yourself, TENWEST and Second Saturday will be taking place.

Attendees can ride for free to any of the 23 streetcar destinations.

LINK: https://kvoa.com/news/local-news/2018/10/08/free-rides-on-sun-link-this-weekend/

11 Funding approved for $4B Atlanta transportation program

Construction Dive By Kim Slowey October 8, 2018

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority's (MARTA) board of directors last week approved a $2.7 billion, 40-year program of funding for approximately $3.9 billion of Atlanta- area transportation projects, also known as the More MARTA plan.

The 17-project program includes 22 miles of ($2.8 billion) and 14 miles of bus rapid transit ($433.8 million), both of which are entitled to up to 50% matching federal funds. MARTA's project list also includes the locally funded Atlanta BeltLine and streetcar network ($200 million), 26 miles of arterial rapid transit ($102.2 million), local bus ($340 million), general upgrades ($25 million), transit centers ($7 million) and station enhancements ($200 million). Fare revenue will also fund some of the projects, but MARTA officials have indicated they will explore other funding options as well, including public-private partnerships, private investment, joint development and transit-oriented developments.

MARTA identified more than $11 billion of potential projects but had to reduce that list to match the expected revenue from the 2016 tax year. The expanded bus service portion of the plan is already underway, but MARTA will now begin a public education campaign about the initiative, start putting together definitive budgets and schedules and firming up commitments for the necessary additional financing.

While major construction spending initiatives make for exciting news, huge transportation projects like MARTA's often require years of planning and development, as well as successful navigation of the federal application process before they can come to fruition. Sometimes transportation agencies pick contractors whose shovels are ready to hit the dirt before federal funding is officially released, but the risks are always made clear that the project isn't a go until a federal check is in hand.

However, there are some projects, according to Transportation for America, that have been waiting too long for their share of federal dollars. The advocacy group said that President Donald Trump's Federal Transit Administration is sitting on $1.4 billion of grant money for projects like the 's streetcar project in Tempe, , a light-rail extension in Seattle and platform extensions for the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system. Further, the group alleges that of the more than $2.3 billion Congress has allocated to the U.S. Department of Transportation for new transit construction during the past few years, only $532.8 million has been released.

An anonymous source from the FTA told Route Fifty that the agency is not sitting on money but that the projects Transportation for America has identified have either not met funding requirements or are still in the processing phase.

LINK: https://www.constructiondive.com/news/funding-approved-for-4b-atlanta-transportation- program/539078/

12 How to ride in (and around) Milwaukee’s new streetcar

88 Nine Radio Milwaukee By Mike Holloway October 8, 2018

It’s been years in the making, but Milwaukeeans will finally have the opportunity to climb on board the highly-anticipated (and occasionally controversial) streetcar next month.

On Nov. 2, The Hop MKE streetcar will run its very first publicly-accessible routes from 1 p.m. to midnight starting with a noon kickoff event at Cathedral Square Park. The celebration is set to last all weekend, with businesses along the route offering specials on Nov. 3 and an assortment of family-friendly events set up at each station on Nov. 4.

Since this is all very new to Milwaukee, here are some tips that will ensure your initial trips on The Hop are as enjoyable and safe as possible.

Catching a ride

There are 18 stations that span from the downtown Milwaukee Intermodal Station, to the Burns Commons on the lower East Side. The stations are divided between two routes that both begin and end at the same points. The Hop’s website has an interactive map that allows you to explore all station locations through both a map setting and a satellite setting. While there is currently no handy phone app like the one for the Milwaukee County Transit System, the City is currently exploring a variety of solutions to provide real-time arrival information. A streetcar will arrive at every station every 10 or 15 minutes depending on the time and day of the week. Its up to the discretion of the operator and dispatcher to determine whether or not the streetcar will stop at each platform even if there are no passengers awaiting pick up. Passengers should use the on- board request stop buttons to signal to the operator if they’d like to get off at the next station.

Hours of operation

The streetcar will operate Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. arriving every 15 minutes; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. arriving every 10 minutes; and 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. arriving every 15 minutes. On Saturdays, the streetcar will run 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. arriving every 15 minutes. On Sundays, the streetcar will run 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. arriving every 15 minutes.

Pricing and purchasing tickets

Thanks to the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, the streetcar’s corporate sponsor, the first year of the streetcar’s operations will be completely free to the public. No swiping, no ticketing, just get in.

After the initial 12-month period, the expected fare is anticipated to be just $1. There are no fareboxes on board the streetcar, so passengers should anticipate purchasing tickets off-vehicle. Fare inspectors will be on board to randomly check passengers for valid streetcar passes.

Accessibility

13 The streetcar is equipped with extra wide passenger doors that allow easy access for passengers using wheelchairs, scooters, personal shopping carts, bicycles, strollers and rolling luggage. There are no wheelchair ramps on the streetcar – instead, the streetcar is level with the curb at each of the 18 stations, allowing wheel-dependent passengers to board easily. While on board, wheelchairs and other mobility devices are not required to be secured, but should remain in the designated standing area with any brakes locked. The vehicle features a low-floor design that is ADA compliant.

Anything with wheels should always cross the tracks at a right angle to avoid wheels getting caught in the track. That goes for wheelchairs, bikes, scooters or any other mobility device. There have already been several instances where cyclists have been thrown from their bikes due to tires becoming lodged into the tracks.

The streetcar features audio announcements, braille and designated handicapped seating. Service pets are allowed on board, but all other pets are restricted.

Bicycle storage

Like the Milwaukee County Transit System buses, the streetcar will allow for easy transportation of bicycles. However, instead of bike racks being on the front of the vehicle, the streetcar has specialized bike racks on the inside for bike storage.

Sharing the road with The Hop

In a car:

When parking along the streetcar route, never stop on the tracks—even temporarily. Make sure your vehicle is well within the striping on the road. Pavement markings along the streetcar route will indicate certain intersections where the streetcar will be making complete turns. For these, vehicles must be a good distance from the crosswalk. While making left turns, drivers will need to pay closer attention to oncoming traffic, which may include streetcars coming from the opposite direction. Drivers should also obey “no turn on red” signs that have been implemented to ensure that streetcar operators can safely turn.

On a bike:

Cyclists should always cross the streetcar tracks as upright as possible and at a 90 degree angle. Smaller tires can easily become stuck in the tracks. Tracks also become slippery when wet. When turning left across the tracks, first enter the right lane and cross through the intersection. Then, pivot to the left to cross the tracks perpendicularly with the next green light.

Crossing the tracks as a pedestrian

Be sure to only cross the streetcar tracks at designated crosswalks. Avoid entering the trackway from between two parked cars, as you will be difficult to spot for operators. The streetcar utilizes warning bells, so its a good idea to make sure you’re listening when near the tracks.

LINK: https://radiomilwaukee.org/story/community-stories/how-to-ride-the-milwaukee- streetcar/

14 Atlanta passes massive transit expansion plan

Smart Cities Dive By Katie Pyzyk October 8, 2018

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) board of directors unanimously approved a plan to greatly expand transit within the region.

The plan includes 17 projects that call for 22 miles of light rail, 14 miles of bus rapid transit (BRT), 26 miles of arterial rapid transit, more fixed-route bus service, two new transit centers and upgrades to existing rail stations.

The expansion will be partially funded by a half-cent sales tax increase that voters approved in 2016, expected to bring in about $2.7 billion. MARTA will have to find additional funding sources to make up the difference between the sales tax funding and the actual cost.

Large scale transit investments have been a long time coming for Atlanta, to the extent that MARTA even called the new plan approval "historic." MARTA says this is the largest investment in the region's transit in more than 40 years.

The Atlanta metropolitan area covers a huge chunk of land and contains about 5.8 million people, whereas only about 475,000 live in the city itself. Residents of the region have been very car dependent, leading to the area's notorious traffic congestion.

Part of the reason cars have dominated the scene is that Atlanta's transportation system is far less robust than that of other major cities. The transit network that does exist mainly lies within the city's borders and doesn't adequately stretch into the suburbs where most of the population lives.

But that has been changing in recent years as the city has been putting effort into a more comprehensive, widespread transportation system. The opened in 2014 to a rocky start and a lot of criticism, but that has evened out since MARTA took over operations last year. This year MARTA entered a long-term contract with Siemens for predictive maintenance technology on the streetcar, while Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal signed a bill creating a regional transit authority, with MARTA providing rail and bus service.

This spring, the city received $12.6 million in federal funding for the planned BRT system. That project will build a 9.4-mile system that would connect downtown and Midtown with the re-developing Summerhill neighborhood south of downtown. Providing transit to underserved areas from Summerhill and extending further outside of downtown also is a major focus in the newly approved transit plan.

“As Atlanta’s population grows, so must our investment in equitable and accessible transportation options," Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said in a statement.

LINK: https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/atlanta-passes-massive-transit-expansion- plan/539035/ 15 City leaders give tour of El Paso streetcar route

KTSM.COM By Chorus Nylander October 6, 2018

Saturday the offices of Representatives Peter Svarzbein and Cissy Lizarraga, in conjunction with the Planning & Inspections Department of the City of El Paso, held a special touring event along the Streetcar route.

Two tours were offered, one in the morning and afternoon, in all around 50 people boarded Sun Metro buses and rode along the entire route. Spanning more than 20 stops around much of Downtown and into West El Paso near UTEP.

"This is an interactive planning and mapping exercise taking in constituent and community ideas about what they would like to see around the streetcar corridor," City Rep for District 1 Peter Svarsbein said.

The tour groups stopped at almost every stop the actual streetcars will make, taking about three hours. Tour guides giving a brief explanation of the history in the surrounding areas and why each stop was chosen.

KTSM spoke with one man named Adrian Alvarez who lives near one of the stops. He said he's happy to see the tour passing through and looks forward to the streetcars arrival.

"This is a good nice neighborhood and it's quite, when the streetcars come back it's going to be more exciting," Alvarez said.

For those on the tour many said it's very nostalgic seeing the return of the streetcars.

"Back in the day my mom used to take me on a trolley when it went to Juarez, so we have good memories, some of us have really good memories of the trolley and that's why we're looking forward to it," Pablo Lopez said.

After each tour the groups met at the El Paso Museum of Art Downtown, looking over a large map of the Streetcar Corridor, and were able to tell those behind the project what they thought worked well and what could be improved.

One concern brought up was about extending the hours of operation. Currently, the Streetcars are scheduled to run: Monday-Thursday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Friday-Saturday 8 a.m.-1 a.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Some people recommended those hours extend on Friday and Saturday, so anyone going to bars and nightclubs have another option to avoid driving under the influence.

The streetcars are expected to be up and running by the end of November.

LINK: https://www.ktsm.com/news/local/el-paso-news/city-leaders-give-tour-of-el-paso-streetcar- route/1503792589 16 El Pasoans give suggestions to areas surrounding streetcar

KFOX 14 By Kaylee Heck October 6, 2018

El Pasoans were able to tour the downtown streetcar corridor and give suggestions for the surrounding areas.

The two groups then did an interactive map workshop at the El Paso Museum of Art. They shared ideas and concerns by placing signs on a large map of the area. Some suggestions included adding shade at streetcar stops, new parks and student housing.

"One of the greatest ideas I heard was wayfinding," Victor Vidal said. "When you're in , you know you're in Kern Place. You know, taking some of those elements and that branding to other parts of the city so you know when you're in Segundo Barrio. You know you're in the UTEP area."

Those on the tour said they envision the streetcar opening people's eyes to parts of El Paso they haven't been to before or been to in years.

"I've lived in El Paso my whole life. I'm 27 years old and there's so little I know about the little nooks and crannies of downtown and just the rest of the corridor," John Alarcon said.

Representative Peter Svarzbein said the streetcar should be open to the public by the holidays.

LINK: https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/el-pasoans-give-suggestions-to-area-surrounding- streetcar

17 Council to reverse course on fine for scofflaws

News OK By William Crum October 5, 2018

The Oklahoma City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to levy a $10 fine for riding the streetcar without a valid fare card.

The council initially considered levying a $500 fine on individuals caught riding without paying, or riding after their fare had expired, but deferred a vote on the matter last month.

The base fare to ride the MAPS 3 streetcar will be $1 for a one-hour pass. A day pass will be $3.

Streetcar service begins in December.

Testing widens as downtown loop is completed

Streetcar testing moves into the central business district Oct. 8.

Beginning with an overnight test starting at 8 p.m. Monday, streetcars will be on the downtown loop, the longer of the two routes.

The 4.8-mile downtown loop links Midtown and Bricktown through the heart of downtown.

The first daytime tests on the downtown route are to begin at 7 a.m. Tuesday. Testing has been going on since May on the Bricktown loop.

Each streetcar must have at least 310 miles of testing before being certified to carry passengers.

Six of Oklahoma City's seven streetcars have been delivered; the seventh is due from the manufacturer in western Pennsylvania on Oct. 27.

Streetcar construction

MAPS 3 streetcar construction is wrapping up downtown.

• Streetcars will run on the Bricktown and downtown loops as operator training continues.

• Track installation continues on the NW 5 "turnback" between Broadway and Robinson.

What do the signals mean?

The downtown streetcar system has streetcar-specific signals at 15 intersections.

A horizontal bar means stop, a vertical bar means proceed, and a diagonal bar means proceed into a turn.

LINK: https://newsok.com/article/5610847/fine-to-be-set-at-10-for-skipping-out-on-streetcar-fare?

18 After Beltline transit win, More MARTA project list is officially approved

By Curbed Atlanta By Sean Keenan October 5, 2018

After years of discussion and debate over how MARTA should divvy up some $2.7 billion to grow Atlanta’s transit network, the transportation agency’s board of directors gave the thumbs up Thursday to a project list that’d been published just a week prior.

In a 10-0 vote, the MARTA board approved a spending plan for money to be reaped from More MARTA taxes that Atlantans had voted for in a 2016 referendum, and the finalized program looks drastically different than one proposed in May.

The new project list is expected to dedicate more than $570 million to lining 15 miles of the Atlanta Beltline with streetcar tracks—a signifiant jump from the seven miles of Beltline transit outlined in the earlier plan.

It would also funnel a whopping $350 million to help fund a light rail system connecting MARTA’s Lindbergh station with Emory University and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—you know, the controversial Clifton Corridor.

Although the Clifton Corridor funding had been cut since the earlier blueprints—it was estimated to cost more than $500 million—it seems key stakeholders such as Emory University President Claire Sterk are simply happy to see transit spending moving forward.

“The entire region is one step closer to a smart, sustainable, and efficient transit network that connects communities as never before,” Sterk wrote in a statement Thursday. “Emory University and Emory Healthcare look forward to joining with businesses, government entities, and others who recognize the importance of this public transit opportunity and are committed to work in broad partnership to make it a reality.”

Additionally, around $311 million worth of light rail lines linking the Oakland City MARTA station to Greenbriar Mall—the Campbellton Road Corridor—will be funded by the More MARTA plan.

Collectively, that makes 29 miles of new streetcar connectivity that’s possibly en route to Atlanta— most of which will be on, or connected to, the Beltline. The oft-maligned existing streetcar loop is just 2.7 miles.

The downtown streetcar loop takes plenty of flak for being bogged down by Atlanta traffic, but Saporta Report learned Thursday that MARTA intends to bring its future light-rail lines into their own designated lanes wherever possible.

In downtown, that could mean converting Auburn and Edgewood avenues—both of which have segments of the existing streetcar track—into one-way streets, the publication reported.

LINK: https://atlanta.curbed.com/2018/10/5/17940638/beltline-transit-advocates-more-marta- board-revised-approved 19 TECO line streetcar going fare-free

WFLA By WFLA 8 Staff October 5, 2018

The TECO Line Streetcar is going fare-free beginning Sunday.

Expanded service hours and increase frequency will also be launched.

The change from $2.50 fares to free was made possible by an $890,00 a year (for three years) grant HART received for this purpose.

The grant will be used to increase streetcar service from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays.

The TECO Line Streetcar spans 2.7 miles, from Ybor City to downtown Tampa, and has 11 stops along the way.

LINK: https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/teco-line-streetcar-going-fare- free/1501721661

20 Businesses struggle as roadwork continues for streetcar project

WSOCTV By Mark Barber October 5, 2018

Suffering businesses in west Charlotte still have to endure another 18 months of road work before a massive project is complete.

A stretch of West Trade Street has been closed from I-77 to Johnson C. Smith University since April while crews have laid underground utilities for the Gold Line streetcar extension.

As crews now enter the next phase of construction, they will reopen the ramp for I-77 and open a lane to Rozzelles Road.

Workers at a neighborhood market ringed with construction barrels told Channel 9 they thought the project would be over by Monday because the Charlotte Department of Transportation said the road would open back up then.

Instead, Channel 9 learned the project won't be finished until 2020.

An official with CDOT said the project isn't delayed. Instead, CDOT said its initial announcement may not have been clear enough, so now it wants to make it clear.

Closures and road work will continue for another 18 months, but on Monday, crews will reopen the ramp for I-77 and try to open a lane to Rozzelles Ferry Road.

"It's just been frustrating," said Mike, who did not want to reveal his last name.

He works at a nearby tire shop and said the past six months have been difficult.

"They've got roadblocks and detours; all that. It's just a mess," he said.

On the worst days, Mike said, the shop only sees one or two customers and makes as little as $35.

"Business has slowed down, and a lot of dust and dirt and a lot of confusion," he said.

A spokeswoman for CATS said the department has been working with businesses throughout the process. She thinks the next 18 months will be easier than the past six months.

"I certainly hope that businesses and residents, in general, don't feel as impacted by construction. Our goal is to make it as easy to navigate as possible," said CATS community relations specialist Juliann Sheldon.

Workers like Mike said he's still not convinced improvements are on the way.

[Neighbors losing patience with Charlotte streetcar construction]

21 "I talked to a couple of the workers and they say this is just the beginning; it's going to get worse," he said.

CDOT said it could start laying the tracks for the streetcar in January 2019. Officials hope to finish the project in the spring of 2020.

This isn't the first time the streetcar extension project has disrupted business.

In Elizabeth, it has already forced at least one shop to close and caused Hawthorne's Pizza to cut employees after it lost 25 percent of its sales, which amounted to $500,000.

LINK: https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/businesses-struggle-was-road-work-continues-for- streetcar-project/847344230

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