Introduction: The Streetcar.
As technology continues to progress and transportation is only moving faster, many have begun to wonder why Omaha is reverting back to an outdated form of public transport. The new Streetcar is beginning to turn heads, and not because of its efficiency. Rather, people have begun to grow intolerant towards the ongoing railway construction that is jamming up roadways and procuring absurd levels of traffic. However, others proclaim that the Streetcar is a step towards building an efficient community and creating an effective form of transportation for many Omahans across the city. Is the Streetcar all that it’s cracked up to be? Or is it an inefficient gimmick that’s only purpose is to waste taxpayer dollars? Let’s investigate:
The Good
Against popular notions, streetcars have actually been found to have plenty of benefits that can boost the overall quality of a city. For starters, streetcars promote foot traffic due to improving the “walkability” of a given location. Since streetcars require you to walk to them (and walk from them), many cities have found more pedestrian commuting due to the lower cost and easier accessibility of the streetcar. Furthermore, many businesses have found that streetcars can actually improve economic growth through guaranteeing them pedestrian traffic that, naturally, stop at stores and purchase goods, thus boosting economic activity. This increase in growth has driven many cities, including Omaha, to adopt these railway spectacles.
The Bad
Despite the growth of streetcars in the modern day, the same old issues that made them obsolete before still remain. For starters, streetcars have to operate along a set railway, meaning that you can only stop where there’s a rail already built. This limitation means extra walking.
While the extra steps can boost economic activity, many are still turned away by the idea of potentially extending their travel time through walking where the streetcar couldn’t glide. Furthermore, streetcars, when compared to automobiles, are slow, sluggish, and more of a gimmick than a fast form of transportation. When you’re in a pinch, a streetcar may not be the vehicle for you…
The Ugly
When someone thinks about driving in Omaha, the first thought that comes to mind is the construction. Omaha has long been notorious for egregious and tedious roadwork projects that slow traffic to a halt. The streetcar is no different: many have reported that the sheer level of construction that the streetcar has required is absolutely unnecessary and, frankly, not worth the result. With only 3.4% of Omahans lacking an automobile, the vast majority of Omaha uses cars to travel to work, and driving is more difficult than ever. Additionally, many businesses along the road closures are having trouble staying open due to the lack of traffic passing their locations. Overall, the streetcar, while having a light at the end of the tunnel (or railway, rather), has caused a path of destruction that would take a lot of aforementioned “economic growth” to fix.
Conclusion: Is the juice worth the squeeze?
With a holistic view in mind, is it possible to determine whether the streetcar is worth it? For us, the answer is no. While the economic benefits are enticing and the idea of a streetcar slivering its way around Omaha is oh so exciting, we will not truly know it’s worth until it is fully operational. However, in the meantime, we can all enjoy traffic delays, endless complaints, and nail-biting suspense as the construction for the streetcar slowly continues.
