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.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie