The new streetcar system in the city of Milwaukee opened late last week.
The roughly 2-mile system, known locally as The Hop, connects the city's east side to the Milwaukee Intermodal Station, which is served by Amtrak and intercity buses.
According to The Hop website, this initial route connects riders with housing, jobs, attractions, hotels, shopping, dining, other transportation options, parking and more. It was developed through a ridership analysis process and also took into account opportunities to tap into economic and property development while enhancing, rather than duplicating, other transportation options. Down the road, the city has a vision for an expanded streetcar system that serves additional neighborhoods.
The $124 million project includes five streetcar vehicles manufactured by Brookville Equipment Corp., which is building streetcars for Dallas, Oklahoma City and other metropolitan areas. In November 2015, Milwaukee awarded an $18.2 million contract to Brookville for four vehicles, with an option to purchase the fifth.
The new streetcars operate every 15 minutes, depending on traffic and ridership. The system is open until midnight every day except Sunday, when it closes at 10 p.m.
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Source: Progressive Railroading / The Hop
