The St. Louis Loop Trolley isn't running at full capacity, yet, but it's also falling well short of its projected ridership.
[Updated October 14, 2019) Mark Schlinkmann reports from St. Louis, where, "[a]fter more than a half-year in business, the Loop Trolley’s ridership and farebox revenue is lagging as the line continues to operate on a limited-hours schedule with just two of its three cars in service."
The trolley launched service on Nov. 16, 2018, and has been operating four days a week, instead of seven as planned in early budget documents that set ridership targets. Since opening, "11,364 tickets have been sold, producing farebox revenue of $22,283," reports Schlinkmann.
The trolley's third car is underway with testing, after a delayed delivery in January, which Loop Trolley officials hope will help increase the number of people who find reason to ride the streetcar.
Read the full story: Loop Trolley ridership and fare revenue lag — it's raised just $22,283 in fares since Nov. 16
Loop Trolley on the Ropes in St. Louis
Extremely poor ridership might be dooming the St. Louis Loop Trolley less than a year after it opened to the public.
The Uncertain Future of the St. Louis Loop Trolley
St. Louis faces losing federal funds if the Loop Trolley remains defunct. But is the 2.2-mile line worth it?
Crime, Cheap Gas, Declining Population: A Cocktail for Decreased Transit Ridership
St. Louis transit planners are evaluating the reasons behind a decline in transit use as the Metro Transit system prepares its first light expansion in years.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners
Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents
NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting
New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.
California appears to reject Prop. 45
The proposition would have expanded the projects that qualify for a streamlined environmental review, effectively paring down the California Environmental Quality Act.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority