The Cincinnati City Council is considering a budget for the eagerly anticipated Cincinnati Streetcar this week, revealing new details about the expected opening and early operations of the system.
Chris Wetterich reports: "The streetcar could open as soon as Sept. 1, according to an ordinance the Cincinnati City Council will consider this week while setting the budget for the first year of its operations."
The draft first-year budget for the streetcar totals $4.2 million, and must be finalized by April 30. Once approved, the budget will be handed over to the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, which will operate the streetcar.
The budget indicates its expected sources of revenues, which reveals the details of the system's operations. We reports that the budget includes $2.2 million in parking revenue and $677,000 in fares. "When the streetcar starts operation, about $1.4 million in parking money will have been banked since council made changes to parking meter rates and hours in downtown and Over-the-Rhine at the beginning of 2015," adds Wetterich. That banked parking revenue will contribute to operations funding for at least the first year of the system, and possibly the second.
FULL STORY: Here's when the streetcar could open, how the budget would work
Cincinnati Streetcar Sets Monthly Ridership Record
The Cincinnati Streetcar, now known as the Cincinnati Connector, has come so far.
Cincinnati Streetcar Free Forever
The Cincinnati Bell Connector has been offering free rides since reopening in October, but the Cincinnati City Council recently decided to make the free rides a permanent feature.
Streetcar Facing $1.4 Million Budget Deficit in Cincinnati
The Cincinnati Streetcar, now known as the Bell Connector, weathered numerous controversies on the way to completion. Now it faces the prospect of balancing its budget less than three years after launching.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)