--- Erik Hare <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
"The streetcar is, practically, a bus. They are considered more reliable timing-wise, they don't pollute, and they're cute." Let me quibble a bit. Modern streetcars are, or at least can be, considerably more than the equivalent of a bus. First they are much larger, being able to carry as many as 600 passengers. If given dedicated lanes as they are in most European systems, they are faster than buses that must navigate their way in and out of traffic (granted, buses could be given dedicated lanes as well). With multiple doors, they are much more efficient at loading and unloading passengers, making for faster stops. They have a much longer service life than buses. Labor costs are considerably lower (this is related to their larger capacity). I wouldn't call them "cute" and their appeal goes well beyond aesthetics. Erik also said: "I drew up ... ... a "Transit Hub." For a picture of an actual streetcar transit hub, take a look at the following photo of the hub in front of Amsterdam's Centraal Station where heavy rail, subway, streetcar (tram) and bus lines converge. http://www.trainweb.org/subwaymark/transit/Holland/Amsterdam/ams-lr06.jpg The photo shows a small portion of the streetcar lines in front of the RR station. For photos of what the Amsterdam streetcar system looks like generally, see: http://www.trainweb.org/subwaymark/transit/Holland/ams_lr.htm In short, modern streetcars or trams are a lot more than "cute" buses. Charlie Swope St. Paul _____________________________________________ To Join: St. Paul Issues Forum Rules Discussion Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] _____________________________________________ St. Paul Topics - This Week: Light Rail http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul-topics _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
