Last week, I reported on a trolley-based transit-oriented development plan for Red Hook and the Brooklyn waterfront. Spurred on by years of advocacy by the Brooklyn Historic Railway Association, the NYC Department of Transportation will spend $500,000 on a feasibility study that will examine a proposal to send a trolley from Downtown Brooklyn to Red Hook via Atlantic Ave. and Columbia St. For an area of Brooklyn that doesn’t enjoy ready access to the subways, such a route could connect a disconnected neighborhood.
While a streetcar nostalgia with an emphasis on 21st Century transit-oriented development appeals to some, others see the flaws in the BHRA’s plans. Over at The Transport Politic, a site that has long advocated for an extensive Brooklyn streetcar network, Yonah Freemark questions the city’s goals here. Latching onto the aspect of the BHRA proposal that would restore old trolleys to the borough’s streets, Freemark condemns the plan: “These mobile museums are more about tourism than they are about meeting typical commuting needs. Unlike modern buses, these old streetcars are not handicap-accessible, nor are they air conditioned. Even more problematically, they often carry fewer passengers than the buses they’re supposed to replace.”
On a macro scale, Freemark wants the city to address some fundamental questions: ” How can the existing transit network be improved? What routes are missing or need to be reinforced? Where should future development be oriented?” Basically, he says, “if streetcars cannot provide improved operations over typical buses, why should cities spend millions of dollars installing them?” With an appropriate nod to Bob Diamond’s tireless and badly-needed advocacy work, Freemark notes that streetcars can certainly be useful in improving transit access, but a modern rolling stock and a sense of purpose behind the route might be required before the city should restore streetcars to Brooklyn.
8 comments
What a stupid critique. Even if it’s true that “old” streetcars carry fewer passengers than buses (irony alert: most of the buses I use hardly carry anyone!), advocates have got to start looking at these matters as progressive processes, not silver bullets. If you want a streetcar network, use what you have to get started. Over time, old rolling stock can be replaced with modern rolling stock. That everything needs to be state of the art and top of the line guarantees billions of bucks spent with little bang.
I think it would make much more sense to work with New Jersey Transit to get something along the lines of an HBLR-like system running in the city. That way orders, and maybe even routes, can be shared. But that would make too much sense.
(And if we want to pursue our NIH syndrome, at least work with Buffalo so there can be a statewide standard.)
Portland streetcar has orders from Oregon Iron works to supply there fleet with new cars. Oh what an idea! Will it work here? Nah! we know better than they do.
If you want a streetcar network, use what you have to get started. Over time, old rolling stock can be replaced with modern rolling stock.
I don’t think the ADA would allow a new streetcar network to be installed without compatible cars, and once you start purchasing rolling stock, the price goes up. It’s not an insurmountable problem, but it is a slight flaw in the original plan.
Yes, I agree with that. The ADA might be willing to provide a waiver for old rolling stock, however. I rather doubt there are enough old streetcars available in workable condition to create much more than a small corridor anyway.
There’s little reason not to build on NJT’s success. Having a compatible regional network would be great.
WHAT’S “NIH”?
“Not invented here.”
If they’re worried about handicap accessible, then they should purchase models that are accessible. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Škoda_14_T
The proposal to revive trolley service in Red Hook is absurd. Nobody will ride this route. It is a waste of tax money. The best place for a heritage trolley would be from the Indian Museum (near the Bull statue), perhaps to the world trade center memorial, down to South Ferry, thence up to the South Street Seaport, and thence to Chinatown. Heritage cars could be used and the tourism would be substantial. A second possible route would be from St. George to Sailor’s snug harbor.