Omaha Streetcar Authority Errors

There Are Problems

I tried to submit a concern to the Omaha Streetcar Authority but there was no submission button after typing my entry.

My biggest gripe with this organization is they fail to explain the congestion of too many cars. I have worked in the hospitality industry for over 30 years, and I know travelers search for “park here, fly there” options. The streetcar is a “park here, ride there” option. That was the idea behind ORBT. This is why a streetcar is a workable solution.

Some of the details are addressed on their YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@omahastreetcarauthority). I have to admit they are trying, but they are not convincing many skeptics.

The operation of the streetcar hinges on parking garage revenues. While I substantially prefer such funds be used to reduce property taxes, the actual charge of parking is meant to reduce congestion. Yet, the streetcar maintenance will be funded by this charge instead. Eventually, such funding will come up short.

At the same time, Park Omaha (https://www.parkomaha.com) is very inconsistent as to when garages are open and at what cost. I love these parking garages, but now using them has become tricky, particularly since they scan plates and are not always upfront with necessary information. At the same time, advertising dollars could be collected. I am certain Berkshire Hathaway would love to pay $50,000 to welcome visitors to Omaha for the Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting. At the same time, why not sell naming rights for the garages? This would make funding robust.

They had one of their garages scheduled to be closed during the Saint Patrick Day parade. I protested because people could use it. So it opened for the parade. But why should I have to make such objections?

But I am still agnostic on the streetcar and some may wonder why. The digital economy is still shifting what we do, think, say, and interact with the real world. Uber and other devices show there are different ways to address situations. There are big disadvantages of being at the center of everything as there are so many other things to discover. People will seek alternatives. There is reality where auto driving shuttle buses take people to where they want to go, and automatically drive to where there is significant demand, yet how close is such developments? That is why I wonder.