For Columbia Pike Arlingtonians for Sensible Transit Supporter Meeting May 2 2013 INTRODUCTION Streetcar Cost Up 158 Percent Since 2005 Despite Eliminating Stops and Other Cost Elements From the Project ID: 786614
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Slide1
Why Streetcars are WrongFor Columbia Pike
Arlingtonians
for Sensible Transit
Supporter Meeting
May 2, 2013
Slide2INTRODUCTION
Slide3Streetcar Cost Up 158 Percent Since 2005, Despite Eliminating Stops and Other Cost Elements From the Project
Slide4Dulles Rail Costs
286 Percent Increase
Slide5Norfolk Tide
56.5 Percent Increase
Slide6The Black Hole in The Financing Plan$137.94 – $230.24 Million
Slide7Slide8Streetcars Have Greater Capacity
Slide9Board and staff have repeatedly asserted that the modified streetcar has more capacity than buses. This is not true. Arlington’s own study for Columbia Pike (2005 alternatives analysis) found that, as compared with modified streetcar, BRT would: have greater overall capacity than streetcars22,490 daily passengers versus 19,860
“be a more efficient investment”
“carry more passengers per unit of capital and operating expense”
The Board is Wrong About Capacity
Slide10Articulated Buses Have More Capacity and More Seats for Passengers
Vehicle
Capacity Per Vehicle
Seats Per Vehicle
Number of Vehicles Every 6 minutes
Total Capacity
Every 6 Minutes
Total Seats Every 6 minutes
Streetcar
United Streetcar 100 (Portland)
140
29
1*
140
29
Skoda-
Inekon
10T (Portland)
157
30
1
157
30
Artic
.
Bus
New
Flyer (Cleveland)
100
47
2**
200
94
Wright RTV (Las Vegas)
104
44
2
208
88
New Flyer (Cleveland)
100
47
3
300
141
Wright RTV (Las Vegas)
104
44
3
312
132
*Based on the County’s operational plan of 10 streetcars per peak hour
** Standard-size
b
uses currently operate with
2-3 minute frequencies on the Pike
Slide11Articulated Buses Have More Capacity and More Seats for Passengers
Total Capacity Every 6 Minutes
32.5% increase
193% more seats
99% increase
340% more seats
Slide12Buses Offer a Huge Increase in Daily Peak Passengers and Seats
Slide13Many Bus Routes Exceed 30,000 Average Weekday Passengers, Some Without Dedicated Lanes
City
Bus Route
Average Weekday
Boardings
New York
M15Lcl/SBS
51,461
B46
48,197
Bx12lcl/SBS
47,087
B6
42,274
Chicago
79th
31,904
9
Ashland
30,816
San Francisco
38 Geary
33,003
Los Angeles
720
41,384
Sources:
NY MTA; LA Metro; Chicago Transit Authority; SF Muni
Slide14Most US streetcar systems do not come close to 30,000 weekday passengers
City
Average Weekday
Boardings
Portland
11,200
New Orleans (St. Charles Line)
9,300
Seattle South Lake Union
2,812
Tacoma Link
3,870
Tucson Modern Street Car (Forecast 2013)
3,600
Tampa
900
Sources: Portland TRIMET; Seattle Streetcar; Sound Transit; Federal Transit Administration; New Orleans
RTA; TECO Streetcar
Slide15Many Bus Routes Exceed Arlington’s Target of 30,000 Daily Passengers, Not So With Streetcars
Arlington’s Target for the Year 2030
Slide16Streetcars Are Necessary for Economic Development
Slide17Contrary to County assertions:There is no direct causal link between streetcars and economic developmentArlington developers have not expressed a preference for streetcars on the PikeMixed use, walkable development can be supported just as well with bus systems
The County is Wrong About Economic Development
Slide18Portland Development Commission:“it is difficult to single out the streetcar as a key factor in the downtown’s success”Other major initiatives contributed to success around Portland streetcar routes, including:extensive streetscape and facade improvements
substantial allowable density
parking regulations
strong design guidelines and review
land write-downs
subsidies for affordable housing
economic development grants and loans
free rides on the pre-existing transit system
In other words, denser development likely occurred in Portland “irrespective of the streetcar.”
National Academies, Transportation Research Board,
Relationship Between Streetcars and the Built Environment
No Causal Link Between Streetcars and Economic Development
Slide19Columbia Pike InitiativePike Neighborhoods Plan
Form based code
Strong developer demand
1,000 housing units and 200,000
sf
commercial added since 2008
Many public investments
Streetscape improvements
Public buildings (Arlington Mill)
Undergrounding electrical utilities
New sewer, water, and gas lines
Improved bus service
Super Stops
Replacement of the Washington Boulevard bridge
Financial Incentives
Tax Increment Public Infrastructure Fund
Partial Tax Exemptions
Loans
Columbia Pike Has Many Of The Same Conditions, Regardless Of The Streetcar
Slide20County survey of developers64% responded that existing buses on Columbia Pike are either “very important” or “important” to their development plans60% responded that the streetcar is either “very important” or “important” to their development plans.
Streetcars Not Preferred by Arlington Developers
Slide21Density tripled without a streetcar5 new residential buildings195,000 sf office building42,000 sf
retail
Fits County’s vision for a mixed use,
walkable
community
Served only by bus (
Shirlington
Station)
Shirlington
Slide22Cleveland
Roughly $6 billion total projects associated with the
Healthline
BRT as of 2012
Winner, ULI Award for Excellence 2011
Source: Urban Land Institute
Slide23Since 1997Roughly $650 million invested in corridor1950 new and renovated housing units
900 affordable
62 new business openings
Tax base grew 247%
City-wide average 146%
Winner of 2005 Great American Main Street Award by the National Trust for Historic Preservation
Boston Silver
Line, Washington
Street
Source: Boston Redevelopment Authority
Slide24York Region (Toronto)
Downtown Markham
243 acre, master-planned community
3.4 million
sf
commercial
2 million
sf
retail and dining
10,000 luxury town homes and condos
200 room hotel
Largest collection of LEED buildings in North America
Main street open only to buses and pedestrians
Source: The Remington Group
Slide25Other Myths
Slide26How You Can Help
Slide27ARLINGTONIANS FOR SENSIBLE TRANSITDRAFT BUDGET – 2013
Note: Donations to AST are not tax deductible.
BUDGET ITEM
COST
NOTES
Web Support
$10,000
Part Time Webmaster (maintain web site, coordinate supporter communications)
Media
$10,000
Newspaper and Web Ads
Office Supplies
$4,000
Flyers, Handouts
Research
$4,000
Summer Interns
Meeting Rooms
$1,000
Supporter Meetings
TOTAL
$29,000
(Raised to Date)
($11,000)
(100% individuals; none from organizations
CURRENT NEED
$18,000