John Eby on Streetcars

Sometimes, when you are planning for the future you have to reach into the past. My late father used to tell stories of riding the streetcars and inclines in Cincinnati when he was a boy. He loved the streetcar and was passionate about them. When the decision was made to turn away from streetcars and they tore down the inclines my father was heart broken. He never rode public transportation again.

I'm really not supposed to do this, but I think that Chris Bortz really hit the nail on the head with proposing streetcars in Cincinnati. I love the idea. It is bold, exciting and "do-able". It is so "Cincinnati". Streetcars are a great investment in our future as a city. The slow moving cars will spur economic and housing development. They will help redefine our city.

When I am elected to city council I look forward to working with Mr. Bortz to develop a multi-generational vision that focuses on Building Bridges across the three “rivers” that divide our city, I-75/I-71/ and Ft. Washington Way.