This Friday, the City of Cincinnati launches its first Streetcar Line, connecting The Banks on the Riverfront with Over-the-Rhine and all points in between. Officially known as the “Cincinnati Bell Connector” due to a naming rights sponsorship from Cincinnati Bell, the 18-stop line will service residents, workers and visitors in the Downtown core of the city.
Members of the media were invited to ride the streetcar in a preview event today, with Columbus Underground being the sole representative from Columbus to attend the event. A full loop on the Streetcar took approximately thirty minutes while passing landmarks including Fountain Square, Findlay Market and Music Hall.
The project was planned to cost an estimated $150 million to launch, and ended up coming under budget by nearly two million dollars. While the project’s launch is certainly a visitor for mass transit enthusiasts in the city, it wasn’t smooth sailing to get to this point. The project was first proposed nearly a decade ago and faced multiple ballot initiatives to cancel and defund the idea, and was challenged by many prominent politicians including Governor John Kasich, Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley and multiple members of Cincinnati City Council.
The cost for Streetcar riders is simple, with a one dollar fare to ride for up to two-hours and a two dollar fare for a day pass. Fare tickets can be purchased at kiosks located at the 18 boarding platforms.
For more information, visit www.cincinnati-oh.gov/streetcar/.
All photos by Walker Evans.