Omaha Streetcar Discussion

[BuildTaller]

A group of friends in midtown are going to attend a concert together at the Steelhouse. Some prefer to drive to it and look for parking there, while others hop on the streetcar and take it there. The streetcalr riders arrive at the venue and wonder what's holding everybody else up? Well, they're stuck in traffic, and when they finally do arrive, are taking more time to look for parking, and after paying their $20 parking fee they walk up to where the rest of their group has been waiting for quite awhile.

The streetcar rides on the street. It would be stuck in the same traffic.

[stadsborgare]

A group of friends in midtown are going to attend a concert together at the Steelhouse. Some prefer to drive to it and look for parking there, while others hop on the streetcar and take it there. The streetcalr riders arrive at the venue and wonder what's holding everybody else up? Well, they're stuck in traffic, and when they finally do arrive, are taking more time to look for parking, and after paying their $20 parking fee they walk up to where the rest of their group has been waiting for quite awhile.

The streetcar rides on the street. It would be stuck in the same traffic.

Okay, you're right there, that part of my analysis is faulty. But the 2nd part of my point is valid--looking for parking downtown is something the streetcar rider needn't be bothered with.

[NeGoofyfoot]

Those people should keep that opinion in mind before the city widens more roads in suburbia.

Those roads get used, though.

Sure, in the same way you can buy a Model T in any color you want as long as that color is black. Maybe your circle likes their Model Ts black, but why so certain there are no people who want their Model Ts in other colors?

The projections for usage are between 850-1000 per day. And that’s likely, as with ORBT, going to be overly optimistic. The idea that this is going to be moving visible amounts of traffic off the road is not reality.

Those projections are extremely conservative. Kansas City had similar initial estimates and their first segment that's about as long as Omaha's was hitting between 3,000 and 5,000 riders per day.

KC's August '26 Streetcar ridership hit 457,779 rides

[Busguy2010]

How much does event traffic use Harney? Usually im thinking most of the traffic is coming from 480 east and Douglas east to 10th, or Cuming. If im right there, you could get off around 10th or 13th, and its not a long walk to CHI.

Im there with you though, if im ever spending time/money Downtown, I refuse to drive. The 2 and ORBT have treated me well for Downtown events. So I personally will have no need to ride the streetcar. But think of all the people that live, or will live within a 5-10 minute walk that will.

I still think its so funny, the last basketball game I went to was packed, and I truly believe I was the only person who used the bus. Its so much easier to exit the building and walk to 12th & Dodge, ride to wherever your stop is, and drive the rest of the way home. When will Omaha learn???

[stadsborgare]

I once rode with my cousin to Chicago for what was his first time visiting that city. I'd already been a dozen times, being that I'm a Cubs fan.

He, in his Omaha frame of mind, had this notion he could drive up and park by all the places we were going to visit. It took some real persuasion and cajoling on my part to convince him to try public transit instead, that it would be much easier getting around that way, and that parking in Chicago is notoriously difficult. He tried it my way, and I won a convert. Now he is not so averse to the idea of the streetcar in Omaha.

[locoluke]

I’m surprised I never see discussion of Denver RTD’s MallRide in anti-streetcar circles. It’s a 1.25 mile route with electric buses and 5 minute headways on a dedicated ROW, and it has over twice the ridership of the KC streetcar.

I realize the comparison isn’t quite that simple, but it seems like a feasible alternative to a streetcar.

[almighty_tuna]

I’m surprised I never see discussion of Denver RTD’s MallRide in anti-streetcar circles.

Probably because anti-streetcar circles would also melt down over the idea of having a pedestrian-only corridor in the center of Omaha that's 1.25 miles long. Where would they park to support the businesses!

[Louie]

I’m surprised I never see discussion of Denver RTD’s MallRide in anti-streetcar circles.

Probably because anti-streetcar circles would also melt down over the idea of having a pedestrian-only corridor in the center of Omaha that's 1.25 miles long. Where would they park to support the businesses!

Yeah, they don't bring it up because most anti-streetcar people are just anti-public transportation in general. They aren't looking for a solution outside of more parking and more lanes.

[nebport5]

I’m surprised I never see discussion of Denver RTD’s MallRide in anti-streetcar circles. It’s a 1.25 mile route with electric buses and 5 minute headways on a dedicated ROW, and it has over twice the ridership of the KC streetcar.

I realize the comparison isn’t quite that simple, but it seems like a feasible alternative to a streetcar.

No, it isn't. It's essentially a pedestrian mall with no other vehicle traffic allowed besides the buses. Buses primarily used by tourists, college kids and the homeless. Yeah, I know that's exactly who opponents think will only be using Oscar. However, the Omaha route isn't a tourist trap flanking derelict office buildings. I have no doubt that people who live and work along the Oscar route will be a significant portion of the ridership.

[WorldStreet]

He tried it my way, and I won a convert. Now he is not so averse to the idea of the streetcar in Omaha.

One convert at a time.

[stadsborgare]

I’m surprised I never see discussion of Denver RTD’s MallRide in anti-streetcar circles. It’s a 1.25 mile route with electric buses and 5 minute headways on a dedicated ROW, and it has over twice the ridership of the KC streetcar.

I realize the comparison isn’t quite that simple, but it seems like a feasible alternative to a streetcar.

No, it isn't. It's essentially a pedestrian mall with no other vehicle traffic allowed besides the buses. Buses primarily used by tourists, college kids and the homeless. Yeah, I know that's exactly who opponents think will only be using Oscar. However, the Omaha route isn't a tourist trap flanking derelict office buildings. I have no doubt that people who live and work along the Oscar route will be a significant portion of the ridership.

It being a streetcar instead of a bus also makes a difference. One can invest one's future in a streetcar, because the route cannot easily change.

[locoluke]

The funding for that North 19th TOD study from a few is being moved from FY2025 to FY2027 per MAPA's latest FY 2027 TIP amendment. Makes me wonder if that funding for studying an extension to North O they were talking about securing a few months ago is just the City remembering they were given this grant?

[Zephyr]

Kind of a neat story, although I may be biased:
https://www.ketv.com/article/omaha-stre ... q/74230326

[omahahawk]

nah, not biased......some good info there. Thanks for posting it.

[BRoss]

Kind of a neat story, although I may be biased:
https://www.ketv.com/article/omaha-stre ... q/74230326

Great interview! I really like Samantha Pastorino's segments on things like this.

I'm sure it's a dream come true for you going from talking about this for years on here to now managing it.

I'm really looking forward to seeing it in action, especially after seeing KC's this past summer. When going to the CWS in the future, I am planning to park at MTC and take the streetcar down to 10th & Capitol. I had done ORBT from MTC this past year but OSCAR will be better for this.