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The Case for Distance-based Fares
A piece on Streetsblog makes the policy argument for distance-based transit fares. They actually use Portland’s Fareless Square as part of their argument, apparently unaware of recent history. I generally support this line of argument, at least from a pure policy policy point of view. TriMet has argued that one of the pragmatic reasons for…
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Finally Getting Diverted
It looks like PBOT took advantage of today’s nice weather to start installing the diverter at NW 10th and Marshall. This is a small bit of mitigation for the Streetcar Loop that is finally being fulfilled. As part of the project we moved the bicycle facility from the now-track-filled-cycling-wasteland of Lovejoy to Marshall St. But…
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Vintage Brakes
Following the discussion here over the weekend about employing the Vintage Trolleys on the Loop line, I spoke to Portland Streetcar Executive Director Rick Gustafson. ADA concerns are not the only obstacle. Both the OMSI flyover on the east side and Harrison Street on the west side feature 7% grades. The braking systems on the…
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Streetcar Gets Musical on Friday!
The second annual Streetcar Mobile Musicfest happens tomorrow. It’s a great opportunity to check out the new ‘CL’ Loop line. The musical groups will be on the vehicles between the Leftbank building and OMSI. Here’s the schedule: 5:50 – 6:50 Sassparilla 6:05 – 7:05 MC Rose 6:20 – 7:20 The Ocean Floor 6:40 – 7:40…
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What Happens Now When a Streetcar Goes Out of Service?
As I’ve mentioned here before, because the cars from United Streetcar/Oregon Iron Works are a bit behind schedule (the first car is on the test track at OIW now! but it will still be there a while) to support the new east side line, we have to run every car in our 11 car fleet…