Sure, it’s easy to hate on the streetcar.
It was too expensive. It fouls up traffic downtown. It doesn’t run on time. Et cetera, et cetera…..
But as WCPO contributor John Bromels points out in this video, it’s time to give the streetcar -- excuse me, the Cincinnati Bell Connector -- a little love.
After all, we own it now. Bought and paid for. Even if we wanted to, we couldn’t give it back.
And there's evidence that it's doing what it was meant to do -- spur business in Over-the-Rhine and Downtown.
READ: Findlay Market vendor claims streetcar is behind booming business
So the challenge now is how to ensure its success. That’s what Cincinnati’s two candidates for mayor should be talking about. Not what happened years ago during The Great Streetcar Debate.
So, ride it. Often. Bring the family. And city and county leaders should figure out how to make it part of a larger transportation plan that is coordinated, integrated and convenient.
We own it. Let’s take care of it.
