Dayton — City Streetcars

Rail Transit Online, February 2005

The local regional planning commission has unveiled a concept for a three-line, 16-mi. (25.7 km) streetcar system linking major traffic generators and tourist attractions.  The scheme was designed by a local firm, Gem Public Sector Services, which estimates capital costs at $60 million and annual operating expenses of $1.8 million.  Among the destinations that could be served are the University of Dayton, the U.S. Air Force Museum, various federal National Parks sites and downtown.  Several earlier proposals for streetcars or heritage trolleys never got off the ground but planning commission officials believe this project is much more realistic and would help with Dayton’s economic revival.  At one time, Dayton was served by six separate electric railway companies, two of which were interurbans.