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December Newsletter from the Community Streetcar Coalition
The festive season is here, and many streetcar systems are getting into the spirit with special holiday lights and concerts aboard the vehicles. If you’re lucky enough to live in a city with a streetcar system, take a moment to escape the holiday hustle and enjoy a ride—it’s a perfect way to soak in the season’s charm!
Here’s what’s packed into this month’s newsletter:
- Early Bird Summit Registration: Now open! Don’t miss the link below to secure your spot.
- Upcoming Virtual Summit: Join us in January for a discussion with legacy streetcar systems.
- Membership Dues Reminder: Be sure to check your inbox—payment reminders were sent last week.
- State of the Industry Report: Progress is underway, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
- FTA Updates: Don’t miss the link to the latest Safety Webinar.
- Streetcar News Highlights: Check out some of the exciting developments across the industry.
As always, our Coalition thrives because of the engagement of our members. We welcome your ideas, questions, and contributions—let’s continue building momentum together!
Happy Holidays!
Christy Willhite, AICP
Executive Director
christy@streetcarcoalition.org
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Register for the January Virtual Summit
In this virtual summit, we’ll provide an in-depth overview of three historic streetcar networks. Afterward, a Q&A session will dive into how these systems are addressing their unique challenges and adapting to shifting rider demands. Join us to learn what’s next for these iconic transit systems!
The webinar is free and open to both members and non-members, but registration is required to receive the viewing link.
Don't miss this opportunity to stay informed and engaged with the streetcar community!
Wednesday, January 29, 2025, 1:00 PM Central
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EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
2025 Community Streetcar Coalition Summit - Portland, Oregon
Monday, 4/28/25 - Wednesday, 4/30/25 at the Sentinel Hotel.
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The Community Streetcar Coalition is thrilled to partner with Portland Streetcar Inc. (PSI) to host the 14th Annual Streetcar Summit in the city that pioneered the modern streetcar movement. Mark your calendars for this exciting event, where industry professionals will come together to share insights, exchange ideas, and provide updates on the latest developments across streetcar properties.
PSI has assembled an exceptional lineup of speakers who will present a comprehensive view of the streetcar landscape. Topics will include success stories, innovative partnerships, strategic investments, and invaluable lessons learned along the way. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with peers and explore the transformative power of streetcars in urban mobility and community building.
Early Bird Registration is Now Open!
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Maximize your sponsorship by signing up now!
Thank you to our "early-bird" sponsors!
| | Once you've determined your level of sponsorship, reach out to Christy Willhite, christy@streetcarcoalition.org, to get signed up. | |
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State of the Industry Report
The Coalition Board of Directors has initiated the creation of a State of the Industry Report, leveraging Power BI for its development. To facilitate this we've partnered with HDR to pull together information from the National Transit Database. We've got some tentative data inputted and hope to have more done by the end of the year. The Report will be featured at the Summit and members will have full access to the numbers.
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Community Streetcar Coalition Membership and Dues Structure Change
The activities and services of the Community Streetcar Coalition, such as organization management, peer exchanges, and event receptions, are funded through a membership dues structure. Invoices for these dues are sent out each July to coincide with the start of a new fiscal year. Recognizing that different organizations may have varying fiscal years, the payment deadline is extended to December 31.
This year, we've introduced a new feature for our private sector members. In previous years, private sector members were asked to sponsor the in-person Summit in addition to their membership dues to ensure maximum participation with low registration fees. This often required the management team to speculate if the secured sponsorships during the registration process would cover the Summit costs. Additionally, it posed budgeting challenges for those who hadn’t initially planned for sponsorships and had to find funds outside of their normal budget cycle.
To address these issues, the new invoices for private sector members include a base-rate membership level and an option to sponsor at varying levels each year. For example, a private sector member may choose to be a gold-level sponsor for fiscal year 2024-25 and then switch to a silver-level sponsor in FY2025-26. This annual selection provides flexibility and better budget planning.
We believe these changes will enhance our membership experience and support the Coalition’s efforts more effectively.
The Coalition Board of Directors would like to thank Carl Jackson and the Membership Working Group for there work in developing these changes.
Any questions or concerns should be directed to Christy Willhite, Executive Director-christy@streetcarcoalition.org.
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Safety Advisory 24-2: Street Running Rail Vehicle Collisions Overview Webinar Presentation and Recording
The Safety Advisory 24-2: Street Running Rail Vehicle Collisions Overview webinar presentation and recording are now available.
On November 25, 2024, FTA issued Safety Advisory 24-2 to reduce fatalities and injuries caused by street-running rail vehicle collisions. With this safety advisory, FTA is asking State Safety Oversight Agencies (SSOAs) to direct the Rail Transit Agencies (RTAs) in their jurisdictions to analyze the risk of street-running rail collisions in their systems.
The webinar, held on December 12, 2024, provides SSOAs and RTAs with an overview of the Safety Advisory, information requested by FTA and resources available. You may also contact FTASystemSafety@dot.gov with questions.
FTA General Directive 24-1 Required Responses Due by December 26, 2024
Reminder! Responses to FTA’s Required Actions Regarding Assaults on Transit Workers (General Directive 24-1) are due by December 26, 2024. Applicable agencies must provide information about how they are assessing, mitigating and monitoring risks related to assaults on transit workers to FTA.
All responses can be made using SMS Report, a reporting tool that is housed on the same platform as other FTA applications, including TrAMS and the National Transit Database.
This information will help FTA better understand how transit agencies are addressing assaults on transit workers and inform further activities that may be effective in reducing the risk of assaults on transit workers.
In January 2025, FTA will release initial findings and analysis based upon the information collected. These findings will provide transit agencies with information about strategies used by peers as they consider tactics to improve safety and reduce the risk of assaults.
FTA's General Directive 24-1 webpage provides resources to help transit agencies conduct safety risk assessments and develop safety risk mitigations.
National Transit Database Reporting Changes and Clarifications Request for Comment (Closes 12/30)
FTA is proposing improvements to National Transit Database (NTD) reporting for notice and comment. The proposed changes will ensure that NTD reporting collects accurate and comprehensive data that benefits the transit industry, riders and communities.
Proposed transit safety improvements include:
- Enhanced Safety Reporting for Cyber Security. FTA is proposing to clarify guidance on reporting cybersecurity events to better monitor and mitigate risks for transit agencies.
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Enhanced Safety Reporting for Rail Collisions. FTA is proposing alternatives to address rail collisions involving disabling damage, in line with FTA's recent rulemaking on State Safety Oversight.
On October 31, 2024, FTA published a Request for Comment on seven proposed changes to the NTD reporting requirements. Submit your comments by December 30, 2024.
For additional support related to reporting, please contact NTDHelp@dot.gov.
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KC Streetcar Receives Last of Eight Streetcar Order
masstransitmag.com
The last of an eight streetcars order has arrived in Kansas City, Mo., from vehicle manufacturer CAF USA, Inc. The streetcars will work to support Kansas City Streetcar Authority’s (KC Streetcar) operation of the Main Street and Riverfront Extensions, connecting the University of Missouri-Kansas City to Berkley Riverfront. The KC Streetcar vehicles are picking up the numbering where it left off with the 801-806 streetcar series, asthe new vehicles are numbered 807-814.
CAF, along with Silk Road Transport, delivered KC Streetcar vehicle #814 more than 1,000 miles from Elmira, N.Y. to Kansas City. Once on-site, the streetcar was offloaded onto the tracks located along 2nd St. just east of Oak Street and transported to the Kite Singleton Vehicle Maintenance Facility located at 600 East 3rd St. KC Streetcar #814 will undergo shop testing for several weeks before it starts testing on the tracks.
The addition of eight new streetcars will also help to support the expansion of the KC Streetcar system, as it grows beyond its original downtown route to include the Main Street and Riverfront Extensions. The new vehicles will help to improve service frequency, reliability and capacity as ridership grows. With both extensions, the streetcar system will connect more neighborhoods, businesses and cultural destinations, making efficient, sustainable public transit accessible to more Kansas City residents.
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Portland City Council Approves $120M Streetcar Extension, New Mixed-Use Neighborhood in Northwest
kgw.com
Portland City Council approved a $120 million plan Wednesday to extend the Portland Streetcar about a mile-and-a-half to the massive Montgomery Park office building in the Northwest District.
The streetcar extension is the centerpiece to a 30- to 34-acre plan to transform a largely industrial area of Portland's Northwest District into a transit-friendly, mixed-use area with more than 2,000 new housing units. Portland City Council also approved this plan Wednesday, along with a public benefits agreement to guarantee the creation of more affordable housing and middle-wage jobs.
“The Montgomery Park Area Plan and streetcar extension will advance many of the city’s housing, economic development and climate resiliency goals," Mayor Ted Wheeler said. "It will send a message to investors that Portland is still a great place to build and to start a business and continues a long tradition of creating strong unique neighborhoods where Portlanders can live, work and play.”
The mile-and-a-half Portland Streetcar expansion would run down Northwest 23rd Avenue from the Northwest Northrup Street stop before turning down what will be several new streets along Northwest Roosevelt and Northwest Wilson Street and end at Northwest 26th Avenue near the Montgomery Park building. It would allow the streetcar's North/South (NS) line to operate from the Montgomery Park to the South Waterfront.
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Mesa Council OKs $16M Streetcar Study
themesatribune.org
Mesa residents could one day hop onto streetcars that’d take them to places like Sloan Park, Mesa Riverview, the Asian District and into neighboring Tempe to Mill Avenue and Arizona State University … or not.
Council last week on a 5-2 vote approved researching the feasibility of extending the streetcar system from Tempe 4.4 miles into Mesa, heading east on Rio Salado Parkway to Dobson Road and concluding at Main Street.
The study, which will look at things like traffic and construction impacts, ridership projections and project cost is being funded by a $16-million federal grant.
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Omaha Streetcar Yielding $1.5 Billion in TIF Funds
planetizen.com
Tax increment financing (TIF) revenue for projects along a future streetcar line in Omaha, Nebraska is outpacing projections, with $1.5 billion committed to four projects so far this year, reports Molly Hudson for KMTV 3 News Now. “Some of those include ‘The Beam’ - an apartment building next to the new Children’s Museum at the Riverfront and the Millwork Hotel.”
“But with just a few weeks left in the year, six projects remain on the 2024 list with investment but no name,” Hudson adds.
The Omaha Streetcar project broke ground in September 2023 and is scheduled for completion in 2027.
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