I’ve been thinking more and more about the Tacoma streetcars, and the more I think about it, the more I like the idea. So Pantograph Trolleypole pointed out that Portland built six track-miles of streetcar for $56 million. In the latest ST2 proposal, Sound Transit looks like it might invest $222 million on express buses in the South Corridor. If equal proportions come from South King and from Pierce, and assuming Pierce is 60% of the population of the South Corridor (it’s a bit more) that would be $141 million for Express Bus. At that price, it’s almost 18 track-miles of streetcar, enough for a 6th Ave extension, a Portland Ave extension, and a lot more. That doesn’t event include the Tacoma General Hospital extension already planned. Here’s another analysis comparing a potential Tacoma streetcar system’s cost to ones being built in New Orleans and Washington D.C. The cost in that piece are less than the Portland system.
Consider the economic importance of keeping employers like Russell Investments in Tacoma, and the opportunities to add new employers in Downtown Tacoma, and I think the investment might payoff more in the long run than express bus service.
I don’t know whether the modern streetcar proposal would get Federal funding, and it may take more funding sources than just cutting express bus, but I’m coming around to the idea that there are ways to make a larger streetcar investment work out for ST2 for Tacoma.
If I were an investment banker right now, I would pull a Paul Allen and go around the country buying up large pieces of industrial or vacant land just outside of downtowns and build streetcar lines to them, just like the old days. Over at Portland Transport, Adron in the comments has said that he has heard there is a lot of interest from bankers in this regard. I think the feds slow projects down, private capital might be a possible solution, at least until there is a better transportation bill.
http://portlandtransport.com/archives/2008/03/streetcar_syste.html
Great analysis and comparison and post.
The support for Tacoma Streetcars has grown by leaps and bounds over the last three years in Tacoma. Seattle and Portland have shown how important they are to make a place worth living in rather just driving through or to.
The Tacoma Streetcar supporters have been explaining how they integrate with other transit and enhance and build a city for three years now. Tacoma’s City Council and many neighborhoods have voiced support.
They did so before my neighborhood council.
Now the work comes to bring it from an idea to a reality.
-Erik Bjornson
Tacoma Urbanist
What about the folks living in Duvall and places like that? Tacoma isn’t all of pierce county!
Duvall is in Pierce County?
I get the point though: what’s in ST2 for the rest of Pierce County? I’ve tried engaging leaders outside the Tacoma city limits in the dialog. Where are they?
It should be noted that Lakewood will have a stop on the Sounder train any day now and Puyallup already has one. Both of these communities could either ask for increasing the frequency of current service or ask for starter streetcar lines to act as feeders for the Sounder train.
Last week the paper noted how the City of Tacoma will consider taxing each of its residents $100 to drive the streets of our town.
“A transportation benefit district allows a local government to create a new taxing district. It would be separate from the city, but still run by the local council. Among the taxing options are a $100 annual fee per vehicle, a 0.2 percent increase in the sales tax and a property tax levy.”
No where does it talk about the city’s obligation to carpool to work, buy hybrid vehicles, stop driving huge SUV’s or take the bus to its own council meetings.
Does any city council member take the bus to their weekly Tuesday night meetings? I think not.
So before our famed council tries to pond more cash out of our tax strapped residents, try living by your green living recommendations. Otherwise, stop preaching to the over taxed citizens in telling us how to live a more carbon neutral life, when you yourselves do not adhere to your rhetoric.
This time Eyman is right. Citizens should vote for any tax increase that goes against the intentions of the $30 state car tab fee.
Otherwise, Tacoma residents will get screwed by this city council, again. You can count on it coffee talk fans.
http://www.thenewstribune.com/331/story/3303