For less than the cost of a recent school levy, Tacoma, Washington, could have a brand new old-style streetcar system.
The first round of the resolution is expected to go before the City Council in two weeks.
"Several phenomena make the return of streetcars a logical 21st century strategy:
*Rising gas prices versus lower-cost electricity.
*Environmental friendliness of electricity versus gas.
*Lack of parking -- and the high cost of building new parking -- downtown and in business districts.
*The popularity of vintage streetcar networks in other cities -- for tourists, commuters and residents.
*Ridership of Tacoma's Link light rail, which has far surpassed original projections.
*Transit rider preference for rail over buses.
*Population projections that show Tacoma could double in size by 2040.
*The revival of business districts and urban living over suburbanization."
Thanks to morgan alexander
FULL STORY: Streetcar network not just nostalgic - it's practical, too

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