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Streetcars or light rail? Portland weighs in
Somewhere down the road streetcars would be a great addition to Kansas City’s transportation system, but they’re no substitute for a core light-rail system.
That’s the opinion of Vicky Diede, office of transportation streetcar manager in Portland, Ore. We’re talking straight from the horse’s mouth here, ladies and gentleman. Diede has logged more than 15 years helping pilot, build and operate a streetcar system from the ground up in one of the most evolved light-rail and streetcar cities in the country.
“We opened up our first streetcar line in 2001,” Diede says. “It’s much smaller than the light-rail system we have right now — it now runs four miles end to end — and we’re working on an extension that will add 3.4 miles.”
To put that in perspective, Portland’s light-rail system is in the neighborhood of 50 miles, Diede says.
Portland had to go to the Czech Republic to even get a modern streetcar. While on paper they can reach speeds of 45 to 50 miles per hour, they’re not designed for that. They’re designed to go about 30 miles per hour and slower, Diede says.
United Streetcar LLC president Chandra Brown concurs with Diede’s assessment. United is developing the first modern streetcar prototype built in the U.S. in decades and plans to deliver the first one by early next fall.
Streetcars can go it alone for smaller cities, but for a city the size of Kansas City a core light-rail system complemented by streetcars would be the ideal way to go, Brown says.
“Streetcars are inner city connectors, and they’re designed for stopping every two to three blocks,” she says. “The purpose is not to take you from the airport to downtown. Can they do it? Yes, but that’s not their purpose. … I don’t know what the ideal speed is, but (generally) they go very slow — 8 to 12 miles per hour.”
That said, could streetcars sub for light rail?
“I don’t think so,” Diede says. “Light-rail cars are typically larger, and streetcars don’t carry enough volume at high enough speed.”
So would it be a mistake for Kansas City to substitute a streetcar system for light rail?
“I would think so, I really would,” Diede says. “If you’re trying to move large groups of people pretty quickly, light rail’s your best bet. Now from a development standpoint downtown, I think streetcars are just unbelievable.”
Translation: If the mission is to revitalize downtown, streetcars are killer, Diede and Brown agree.
Diede’s bottom line for KC: “Light rail is where I’d start; I think light rail is the best way for you guys to start, I really do.”
War is normal
As advanced and evolved as Portland’s light-rail and streetcar system is, getting there was every bit as ugly, tedious and contentious as Kansas City route has been, Diede says.
“I’ll tell you, the first line we had was called Whoops on Wheels,” Diede says, in reference to the infamous $2 billion Washington Public Power Supply bond default years ago. “It was not a kind term. But the day after it opened people couldn’t stop patting themselves on the back. I mean, the first one is tough. People will love it once it’s in.”
Pay to play?
Another aspect of Kansas City’s light-rail quandary involves getting federal funding. Does such a thing still exist?
“Absolutely,” Diede says. “It’s called New Starts, and that’s where the light-rail and commuter rail funding comes from.”
Need for speed alert
The $1 billion question: Could the streetcars of today be hopped up to go 60 miles per hour, as some have implied would be needed for 20-mile runs to the airport, suburbs and the like?
“I think that would be problematic,” Diede says. “I’m not a technician, but my sense is they cannot or should not.”
While at this stage of the game streetcars are not being made in this country, Oregon Iron Works is working on a prototype.
Avenue R-rated?
About that Avenue Q puppet show headed for the Music Hall Tuesday ... local puppeteer extraordinaire Paul Mesner is issuing a parental advisory of sorts.
“It’s a great show,” Mesner says. “And I saw kids in the audience when I was there (in New York) but they were 12 or 13. And the parents were like, ‘We know this is naughty.’ The puppets have sex, but it’s fun.”
Puppets have sex?
“Yeah, well, as much as puppets can have sex,” Mesner hedges. “It’s quite comic. You know puppets aren’t very sexy. That’s what makes it so funny, because it’s so improbable.”