DTLA Streetcar is Coming (team, color, colors)

[jm1982]

Current city leaders are not very forward thinking

[genjy]

Streetcars make sense because they tend to have a much smoother ride being powered by an electric motor instead of internal combustion--non-jarring, linear, quieter acceleration and deceleration.

Electric-powered rail streetcars also means almost no funky smell from exhaust, engines, tires, and brakes. They are much more pleasant and comfortable to be around than buses.

Streetcars allow for a much lower, almost-flat boarding height. This makes for faster, safer boarding and unboarding compared to buses. A flat boarding can also allow bicyclists to take their bikes on board... just like trains and unlike buses.

The short DTLA streetcar loop is designed to go through some of the most commercialized districts in DTLA. It is a predicable loop (it's even one-way). Visiting businesspeople, tourists, and non-locals will just need to take a few seconds to understand its route... even without a map, they will be able to see the route because of the tracks on the ground.

The Dash and MTA bus system in DTLA is much more complicated--it's great for daily commuters and DTLA residents who know what they are doing, but not so much at all for non-locals.

In addition, not everyone has the ability or desire to walk Downtown... the streetcars will be a great alternative to riding full-blown buses for those who just want to go down a couple blocks (easy to board, comfortable, and predictable).

The DTLA streetcars will set an example for other areas in LA County. For sure, other areas will learn from the DTLA streetcars and want to have their own in the future. Bus and trains have had their chance to shine. It's time to bring back the streetcars and have another available mode of transportation.

[Chicano3000X]

Originally Posted by genjy

Streetcars make sense because they tend to have a much smoother ride being powered by an electric motor instead of internal combustion--non-jarring, linear, quieter acceleration and deceleration.

Electric-powered rail streetcars also means almost no funky smell from exhaust, engines, tires, and brakes. They are much more pleasant and comfortable to be around than buses.

Streetcars allow for a much lower, almost-flat boarding height. This makes for faster, safer boarding and unboarding compared to buses. A flat boarding can also allow bicyclists to take their bikes on board... just like trains and unlike buses.

The short DTLA streetcar loop is designed to go through some of the most commercialized districts in DTLA. It is a predicable loop (it's even one-way). Visiting businesspeople, tourists, and non-locals will just need to take a few seconds to understand its route... even without a map, they will be able to see the route because of the tracks on the ground.

The Dash and MTA bus system in DTLA is much more complicated--it's great for daily commuters and DTLA residents who know what they are doing, but not so much at all for non-locals.

In addition, not everyone has the ability or desire to walk Downtown... the streetcars will be a great alternative to riding full-blown buses for those who just want to go down a couple blocks (easy to board, comfortable, and predictable).

The DTLA streetcars will set an example for other areas in LA County. For sure, other areas will learn from the DTLA streetcars and want to have their own in the future. Bus and trains have had their chance to shine. It's time to bring back the streetcars and have another available mode of transportation.

If is only one way, wouldn't that be a hassle? You'll need to wait til it comes around again. Shouldn't there be 2 tracks going the opposite directions?(though there might not be room for that..)

[munchitup]

Originally Posted by Chicano3000X

If is only one way, wouldn't that be a hassle? You'll need to wait til it comes around again. Shouldn't there be 2 tracks going the opposite directions?(though there might not be room for that..)

That would be ideal. I think it is because there is not enough room. The northern portion of the loop is only a block in width so less of an issue there. At the southern part is certainly is a flaw in the design.

[PDF]

Originally Posted by pwright1

This is fantastic news. If you've ever ridden the one in Seattle, look how successful that one has become. Plus look how its transformed the south Lake Union area along Westlake. Absolutely incredible.

Really? I rode it but it didn't seem to carry much importance, and the route was short. But that's good to hear it did things for the area. And the cars were really awesome.

The Portland streetcar looks nice. Seems DC, LA, Cincinnati, etc. are using that as the model.

[steelers1523]

Does anyone know when this is going to be done?

[StreetLegal]

It has not even started construction yet. Still trying to find funding for a ballooning budget.

[nmnita]

What goes around, comes around: we were raised with Streetcars in Los Angeles, first the red cars and then they switched to the yellow ones. We took them from the norhtern part of the city (Eagle Rock) downtown all the time and then even to the beach. It took a long time but we were kids, we didn't mind.

[racarate]

did they say what color they will be

[PDF]

Originally Posted by racarate

did they say what color they will be

Yeah, the colors that LA's NFL team wears.