PART OF REPORT FROMM JULIAN WOLFE FROM DETROIT FREE PRESS
The M-1 project’s chief operating officer, Paul Childs, indicated that the line could open by fall, 2016. No indication was given whether an order for the 6 streetcars has been given. Much of the article focused on what this might mean for an expansion of the light rail line, or at least something, to the suburbs, but the article indicated that “less costly” bus rapid transit is still the preferred mode. But, it also mentioned that the RTA, still with no operating or construction funds available to it, would (or might?) go to the voters for a millage some time in 2016, so perhaps, as the article stated, some experience with the new rail line might influence how they vote. My take is, “sure”. I’ve been watching this game for 46 years and see no reason to think that anything has changed.
The article did not mention any of the other urban streetcar lines now proposed, operating or under construction in the U.S., but did mention the Health Line in Cleveland, in the context of how they gained revenue from naming rights, which the M-1 people hope to do, too. As I have mentioned before, the general consensus in this region (local and state politicians, the press and TV) is that the Health Line Bus Rapid Transit mode is the model the RTA should be planning for (my comment - if and when they can even plan - it hasn’t been lost on at least me that the RTA today, in 2014, is in the same position that SEMTA was in when I was hired, in 1968, namely, it was created by the Michigan Legislature, but given absolutely no funds to operate or plan with. The only way I could be hired, or the rent paid, was via UMTA (US DOT) planning grant funds for a review of th