history of streetcars in NYC

Working notes for building a case for trams in NYC

A seedling-stage note

Last tended Jul 27, 2025 originally posted Jul 27, 2025

Working notes, still a work in progress.

DOT plans to finally take advantage of a $300,000 federal grant that Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Brooklyn) secured for the six-month study in 2005. — "Trolley good news for Red Hook rail plan" by Rich Calder, NY Post. May 18, 2010

DOT has determined a streetcar system would be better suited in a neighborhood with fewer physical constraints and potential conflicts (i.e. wider streets). In addition, in implementing a comprehensive planning approach, the neighborhood should be a higher density mixed-use zone, or have the potential for accommodating these supportive land uses. At the present time, these conditions do not exist in Red Hook. — Brooklyn Streetcar Feasibility Study, 2011, p 1

Although the B61 offers frequent peak period service in Red Hook (every eight to nine minutes), — Brooklyn Streetcar Feasibility Study, 2011, p 3

Nearly 50 percent of residents commute more than 45 minutes to work. More than 50 percent of its employees also commute more than 45 minutes to work. — Brooklyn Streetcar Feasibility Study, 2011, p 3

wow there are two Dan Wiley's working in public infrastructure advocacy here, one on each side of the Hudson. NJ Dan Wiley, NY Dan Wiley (collaborator on the BK streetcar feasibility study)

gotta find out how to get Christopher Hrones' retrospective thoughts on this. He was project coordinator. - It looks like he also worked on this

While this system is not the only example of PCC cars in operation today, it does demonstrate the lessons learned, both positive and BROOKLYN STREETCAR FEASIBILITY STUDY 5 negative, of returning a former streetcar line into regular revenue service using heritage streetcar equipment. — Brooklyn Streetcar Feasibility Study, 2011, p 4

Streetcars provide a historic, romantic appeal and have transformed blighted districts into vibrant areas — Brooklyn Streetcar Feasibility Study, 2011, p 5

TRANSIT DEMAND ANALYSIS TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM The Transit Demand Analysis Technical Memorandum projected future demand for higher capacity transit service in Red Hook. Existing met and unmet demands (existing transit riders and those not currently riding, respectively) were first determined using available information and travel patterns in peer New York City neighborhoods. — Brooklyn Streetcar Feasibility Study, 2011, p 5

it is assumed a future Brooklyn streetcar would operate in mixed traffic (no nexclusive lanes), which would restrict travel speeds to those generally experienced by buses. — Brooklyn Streetcar Feasibility Study, 2011, p 6

Manufacturing zoned district. — Brooklyn Streetcar Feasibility Study, 2011, p 6

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