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FWIW, I like streetcars. I think that they are preferable over buses when the costs (and associated benefits) make sense. I'm just not sure that in this case, given the information in the EA, the extra expense for the streetcar is justified.

Anyway, my point earlier was just that we need to think very critically about what benefits the streetcar provides over the bus, and whether or not this is worth the extra $200M. With the way the political winds have been blowing recently, it is important for us planners and urbanist types to be pragmatic and consider other and cheaper ways to advance our goals, or else risk not accomplishing anything at all.

And before anyone flips out, I am NOT saying we should abandon every great transit project in the works to appease Tea Partiers and others calling for less government spending. I am saying that if we should find ourselves on the losing end come November, we need to be prepared to a) defend expensive transit projects like the streetcar with hard data and reasons other than "the ride is smoother", and b) get creative and consider less expensive alternatives that still meet the original goals of a project.

by Rebecca on Jun 19, 2012 8:53 am • link • report