Comments on: A Glimpse of our Future?

By: Jeff M. Bezdek

Jeff M. Bezdek — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 01:53:11 +0000

The streetcar is the “nucleus” of a regional plan involving commuter rail to Norman, Moore, Del City, Midwest City, Tinker AFB, and Edmond.

We are currently pursuing the necessary process to pursue federal funding for an expanded modern streetcar system.

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 15:59:19 +0000

Thanks for the clarification (light rail vs. streetcars). I was also confusing those two things when I commented earlier.

Just curious though, are there any dreams or plans for the streetcar system to expand into a light rail system connecting various suburbs and hot-spots around the city?

By: Jeff M. Bezdek

Jeff M. Bezdek — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 15:18:49 +0000

Larry, the rail trolley can’t be compared to the Maps 3 modern streetcar.

I do share your concerns regarding costs, particularly regarding potential missed opportunities in Project 180.

However, we have a good committee who is enthusiastic and ready to get busy. More to come soon.

By: Larry OKC

Larry OKC — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 02:35:19 +0000

Cynical or realistic? History has this annoying way of repeating itself. It is the original MAPS all over again…

While not a MAPS 3 project, the most recent example already mentioned, the SkyDancer bridge (almost 4 times the amount originally suggested). Then there is the $40 million “mistake” with the Trails portion of MAPS 3.

I am keeping my fingers crossed but the MAPS 3 streetcars are already costing 8 times more than the streetcars (not the rubber tired trolleys we ended up with), of the original MAPS.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 22:52:04 +0000

That’s pretty cynical indeed. Lol

By: Terry

Terry — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 22:37:08 +0000

Hate to be so cynical, but let’s not get too excited yet. I can see it now, “Due to rising and unexpected costs, Oklahoma City will downgrade the proposed MAPS streetcar project. Instead of the new streetcars, all of the current trolleys will be given tune-ups and new tires. In addition, new routes will be introduced to the downgraded Convention Center, south of the Oklahoma City Arena, as well as to the iconic ten foot wide pedestrian bridge that at one time was going to include a sculpture rising into the sky.”

By: Shawn

Shawn — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 22:35:57 +0000

Thanks for the clarification.

In Denver, the light rail is definitely off on it’s own right of way. In Phoenix, there is still a right of way, but the separation is less obvious. I’ve seen streetcars in other cities such as Toronto, and while they’re called streetcars by TTC, they look like buses on rails. Also the TTC streetcar right of way looks a lot like the Phoenix light rail right of way. It threw me off to see “streetcars” look like light rail cars. That I hadn’t seen yet.

By: Jeff M. Bezdek

Jeff M. Bezdek — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 21:27:32 +0000

Yes, Lee, there will be some things coming up and the MAPS subcommittee is about to get busy.

Ms. Wilson, are you asking about JFK neighborhood?

Sure Shawn. Streetcar is a form of light rail.

Here’s how we defined it on the MTP website.

Is streetcar the same as light rail?

Streetcars are related to “light rail” transit; the difference is that streetcars are smaller, lighter, less expensive, and usually run in traffic, rather than in their own exclusive right of way. Powered by quiet electric motors, these vehicles use a simple pole, the pantograph, to collect power from an electrified wire that is suspended approximately 20 feet over the lane in which the streetcar runs.

Perhaps more importantly, streetcars and light rail transit serve different trip purposes and transportation needs. Light rail transit services primarily serve long haul commuter trips, and streetcars are primarily designed to connect local areas with more frequent stops. In addition, outside downtown areas light rail requires a dedicated right-of-way. The street provides the right-of-way for streetcars.

By: Sid Burgess

Sid Burgess — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 20:54:48 +0000

Great post and thanks for the really good feedback from your trip.

Question, it looks like these are normal people riding in the streetcar. Now, we know from watching the news and listening to the radio that normal folks don’t ride transit. So my question is, how much did you have to pay these happy people to ride the streetcar for this photo?

Joking aside, thanks again. I can’t wait to ride our own!

By: Shawn

Shawn — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 20:36:51 +0000

Sorry for the dumb question, but this “streetcar” looks almost exactly like the “light rail” I’ve ridden in Phoenix and Denver. Is there a technical difference between the two terms, or is it just more politically friendly to say “streetcar” because it maybe sounds less invasive to the city core? I want it either way, based on my experiences in those cities. Just trying to understand the distinction in the vocabulary.