Convenience is one of the largest factors people avoid doing activities. Cincinnati is known for having a non-convenient public transportation system. In cities like Portland, Chicago, Washington D.C., and NYC, a great public transportation system enables people to explore the city. Cincinnati currently has the rare opportunity of integrating a highly successful public transportation system into the city—The Streetcar.
The Portland Streetcar is approximately 4 miles in length, and has over 12,000 riders per day. The system is owned by the city of Portland, but is actually a not-for-profit public benefit corporation whose Board reports to the City’s Bureau of Transportation [Wikipedia]. Cincinnati is in the process of implementing the transportation system from Portland into the city.
The most unique aspect of the Portland Streetcar is its funding aspect, which is not at all entirely supported by Trimet fares. The Portland Streetcar gets revenue is from Trimet, city parking revenues, and a “Local Improvement District” (special property tax assessed on properties near the line). Another unique way that the Portland Streetcar is supported is through sponsorship of a train or a particular stop. [Wikipedia]
The surprising feature about the Streetcar is that most of its route lies in a special area designated Free Rail Zone. Adopted back in 1975, there is a special zone in downtown Portland which is free of service. Until 2009, the Portland Streetcar, Max, and bus systems in Zone 1 were all fare less, now it is just the Streetcar and Max. The idea behind the Fareless Square was prompted by limited parking and air pollution.
Being from Portland, I have a very in-depth view/opinion of the success and possibilities of a Fareless Square. I personally know dozens of people who park in cheap areas and go to concerts, bookstores, restaurants, movies, etc. utilizing Fareless Square. The greatest aspect of Fareless Square is the plethora of great places to attend that are located close to a stop. If you want to go to the Art Museum, Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Newmark Theatre, etc. all you need to do is walk 1 city block from a stop—the best part is that you only park your car once.
Cincinnati has the rare opportunity to steal another one of Portland’s great ideas—Fareless Square. When examining the current route for the Cincinnati Streetcar, I have noticed that there are numerous arts organizations located in a literal square on the route. My idea is to impose the exact same property tax on the Streetcar route that is imposed in Portland.
This particular Fareless Square should lie exactly on the loop that starts on the East side of Washington Park and Ends at the Music Hall stop (possibly extended to Findlay Market—I am indifferent on that location). This loop could create a very large increase in people who frequent that particular area, and the messages could be created to focus towards those passengers. The loop could be called the “Culture Loop,” where there are numerous informational signs about the many great walking distance arts organizations on the route. Some of the arts organizations that are close to the Culture Loop is Music Hall, Emery Theatre, Cincinnati Public Main Library, Ensemble Theatre, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Contemporary Arts Center, and the list goes on. With all of these arts organizations so close together, advertising their specific locations would be simple.
The stop locations on the route could be named or geared towards the particular arts organizations that are nearby. Cars could be dedicated to a particular art form, and on-train advertising would be directly targeted at people who are currently passing by their location. There could be pamphlets created that could reside on the trains, much like route maps, that point out the numerous attractions the route stops nearby.
The primary focus of this initiative is twofold. First, to create a frequency of message about the numerous arts organizations located on the route. Second, is to build trust, awareness, and convenience to attend these great local organizations. A primary complaint surrounding Music Hall is its location. There is nothing to do around Music Hall that is within walking distance, but if you were able to park only once and travel for free to your concert, you are more likely to attend the event.
My policy would take support from the voters to increase the property tax surrounding the route, so that the Culture Loop can be possible. Arts organizations will have to be proactive in supporting the Loop, and be able to show tangible results regarding increased local revenue. The more support from a majority of the arts organizations equals a better likelihood of public support of the Culture Loop
Here is a great link about the Cincinnati Streetcar.
Justin
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