Streetcar more than a nostalgic toy

Re: “New Orleans’ trolley cars used to be main option,” July 18

We were pleased to see Steve Eldridge’s recent article about one of the most efficient, comfortable, urbane and civilized forms of transportation: the streetcar. However, we wish Eldridge had examined the streetcar systems of cities other than New Orleans — a devastated city that has lost half of its population, is struggling economically and has seen its streetcar network considerably scaled back.

Eldridge should travel to vibrant and bustling Toronto, which rather than abandon its streetcar system after World War II, modernized and expanded it at the same time it built a subway system.

Or Portland, Ore., which recently built a downtown streetcar line to complement its regional light rail system. Portland’s downtown is the envy of most U.S. cities and the streetcar is directly responsible for the redevelopment of a nearby warehouse district.

Or Melbourne, Australia, which like Toronto expanded and modernized its streetcar system and now boasts one of the world’s largest. Melbourne’s streetcars are beloved by its citizens, and Melbourne is regularly rated as Australia’s most beautiful and livable city. Indeed, cities with robust streetcars share the distinction of regularly landing at or near the top of lists of the world’s most livable cities.

The District’s proposal for a 40- to 50-mile streetcar network would be much more than a nostalgic toy for moving tourists. It would improve transit service along several key corridors that suffer from overcrowded and unreliable bus service, some of the longest transit travel times to employment centers in the city and have yet to benefit from the revitalization that Metrorail has brought to other District corridors.

Indeed, the primary goal of the proposed streetcar network is to improve mobility within the District. While our valuable Metrorail system does an excellent job of moving people around the region and especially from the suburbs to the District, it does not serve or connect many District neighborhoods.

Streetcars played an integral role in the District’s transportation history. From the turn of the century through WWII, streetcars were the primary mode of transportation for most Washingtonians and played a major role in the development of many D.C. neighborhoods. The abandonment of the District’s streetcar system in 1962 was a major mistake that accelerated the decline of many neighborhoods and contributed to the clogged streets and foul air we now grapple with daily.

Our current political leaders often talk about making Washington a world-class city and attracting 100,000 new residents. The District’s plan for a 40- to 50-mile streetcar network gives it the historic opportunity to correct the tragic mistake of their unelected 1962 counterparts and put Washington firmly on the path toward becoming a world-class city — and attracting 100,000 new residents without the nightmare of 100,000 new cars.

Ralph Garboushian
Transportation chair
D.C. Chapter of the Sierra Club

Keeping quiet is sage advice for all ages

Re: “If you don’t mind, I’d like to keep my mouth shut,” July 20

I read Jillian Melchior’s column with great interest. “From the mouths of babes” comes sage advice for all ages: Know when to say, “I don’t know yet.”

If only we can encourage such logic and reason from our elder columnists, voters and community activists!

Our problems are not solely the result of young people speaking and acting irrationally. They are primarily the result of our forebears’ irrationality. After all, the youngsters just got here! Surely, young people are not the only ones cursed by inexperience with the world around them, and they surely are not the only ones driven by emotion rather than reason.

Young people will follow their precursors’ example at times, and go their own way at other times. We can only hope that their experiences don’t lead them to become more irrational.

Terrence Briggs
Gaithersburg

School supply donations should be voluntary

Re:“County schools donate nearly 5 tons of supplies,” Local, July 19

As a struggling parent of children who attend Montgomery County Public Schools, I am outraged that MCPS took supplies from students at year-end to give to “the needy.” As far as I am concerned, MCPS stole those supplies from parents and took advantage of unwitting children. Students do not pay for the lengthy lists of supplies that the schools annually request. Parents do.

Karen Crawford displayed Marie Antoinette-like insight and sensitivity when, in admiring MCPS’ “good deed,” she said, “I think we tend to forget that there’s need in Montgomery County.” How arrogant and out of touch.

Apparently it never occurred to her that the students’ families themselves might need to reuse the scissors, calculators and lunch boxes, etc. and could ill-afford to replace them. It is dishonest to take anything from students without written parental consent. The Examiner story should have pointed this out.

Christine M. deSabla
Brookeville