On August 22, 2003 Tacoma opened its new downtown streetcar circulator called
Tacoma link. It is
similar to the downtown streetcar line in Portland, which was the first new
generation streetcar line equipped with modern streetcars in the country.
Tacoma's line connects the
commuter rail station and Tacoma Dome with downtown, using modern Czech-built Skoda
streetcars, as used in Portland. The line cost $81 million and is 1.6 miles long
with 3 cars and an operating and maintenance facility. Initial ridership has
exceeded expectations averaging 2,400 riders/day by late 2003. The pre-opening
forecast had been for 2,000 riders daily by 2006. Planning is underway
for extensions to the system using either modern or heritage equipment..
The following photos were taken during the APTA Heritage Trolley and
Streetcar Task Force visit to Tacoma in November, 2003:
[photogallery/photo12943/real_p.htm]
The following news notes from
Rail Transit Online give an overview of the evolution of this project, its operating experience,
and plans for expansion:
