I tend not to drive too much (been big into bussing and walking), or head in towards South Lake Union’s direction much these days, so I almost never see the new South Lake Union Streetcar (it used to be called the South Lake Union Trolley or SLUT in the Seattle jargon until the politicians figured out the abbreviation).
This evening, on the way back from a friend’s Bachelor Party dinner, I happen to drive by the SLUT, not once, but twice (traffic was pretty bad, so I was stuck not moving in time for it do a back and forth).
Each time, there was exactly one rider on it - trust me, I looked closely to see if I could find anyone else on there. There was also no one waiting at the SLUT-stop.
Which further proves my thoughts on the whole thing to begin with. I love the idea of more mass-transit, and would love to get to a place where cars aren’t needed anymore. But for this mass-transit to make sense, it actually has to go places where people need it - and not between the mishmash of blocks they threw the current lines down on. Expand it to the U-District or Capitol Hill (or Eastlake), and I can see the lines being used. But as is - I don’t even understand why those single riders were even on it.
I know I am not alone among my friends and co-workers (most of whom are frequent bus riders) — no one seems to like the current rendition of the streetcar or understand it’s point. Though to be fair, most of them are secretly wanting to go for a spin, if only so they can scream out "I rode the SLUT and the city encouraged it!"
Actually, I want to be able to say that too! I should go for a ride soon :)
Maybe the name is how they’ve crossed the 100000 rider milestone (according to http://www.seattlestreetcar.org/)… people are so full of laughing about the system they actually want to ride it. Funny how these things turn out.
Tags: seattle, south lake union, urban
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