What is the Riverside Reconnects Streetcar Feasibility Study?

The City of Riverside is conducting a study to determine whether a streetcar system in the City is feasible and beneficial. The study is intended to analyze system requirements, potential routes, alternative technologies, construction and operating costs, community benefits, and potential financing options. The study will consider a route that extends from one end of the City to the other, traveling on or aligning near Magnolia Avenue, Market Street and University Avenue. The study will consider the benefits and challenges of connecting Downtown, UCR and destinations along University and Magnolia Avenues, as well as the Downtown Metrolink station and existing bus service. Although the route to be studied is roughly twelve miles in length, the analysis will evaluate the phasing of a transit system to start with a shorter segment with the most favorable ridership and costs.

The study will be performed in three parts. The first includes a review of existing conditions to understand development-oriented transit opportunities; the second will define the land use, development and transit possibilities of a transit system; and the third will develop an implementation strategy that is financially prudent and addresses the City’s growth forecasts. While the project investigates the feasibility of a streetcar system, the underlying objective is to inform decision makers of the costs and benefits of an enhanced transit system that is correlated with land development and growth, regardless of whether the transit is a streetcar or bus solution.

Please continue to visit www.RiversideReconnects.com for updates, announcements and opportunities to be involved.