The El Paso streetcar is hitting the roads soon. But before opening its doors to the public, Sun Metro is working on performing safety tests and sharing tips on how to interact with the streetcar while driving, cycling or walking.
Unlike other railway means of transportation, like subways, trains, and metros, the streetcar is designed to coincide with normal traffic. This means that lanes used for cars, trailers and buses will sometimes match with the lane in which the streetcar will pass.
“We are introducing a new mode of transportation, and like any other new thing, we have to learn to coexist,” said Jose Marquez, Streetcar safety, security and training manager at Sun Metro, during a streetcar safety community meeting. “The streetcar operates on the street, therefore we have to coexist as motorists, pedestrians or cyclists,”
During past safety tests, the streetcar showed that it did not make much noise when traveling, and for this reason, the traffic interacting with it has to be more cautious when making turns or changing lanes in places where the streetcar could pass.
“The operator of the streetcar will be using a bell to be able to communicate with traffic. For example, when the streetcar is approaching a stop, the operator is instructed to ring the bell twice before starting the movement of the vehicle, either in an intersection or a stop,” Marquez said.
Streetcars will not be able to make sudden stops or make turns at will to avoid other traffic. For this reason, it is advised for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to not venture into cutting off a streetcar to make a turn, pass another vehicle or cross the street. Furthermore, bicycles will not be able to operate on the same lanes where the streetcar will operate since the wheels could get stuck on the rails.
Additionally, the streetcar is designed to be a way to connect the downtown area–going all the way down to Father Rahm Avenue–with the uptown area–up to Glory Road. It connects destinations such as the Don Haskins Center, UTEP, private hospitals, Southwest University Park, the Sun Metro transfer center, the International Bridge and the El Paso County Courthouse among others stops.
According to Sun Metro Director, Jay Banasiak, Sun Metro is also working with public and private officials to coordinate so that the streetcar will be in function for the public during events around the area.
“We’re targeting any type of passenger to use the streetcar, whether it is people wanting to get lunch, going from downtown to uptown or vice versa, as well as workers in the morning,” Banasiak said. “ We’re hitting all the parking lots in town, so if there’s somebody going to a football game or to Cincinnati [Street], they can go and park at any of the parking lots and use the trolley to get to those events.”
Students will be able to get a fare discount for riding the streetcar, just like when using any other Sun Metro vehicle and will be able to use Sun Metro monthly passes on this vehicle as well.
That said, some UTEP students have been concerned about streetcar safety issues when its interacting with normal traffic.
“I think it’s great that they brought them back, but one of the main reasons why the city decided to have them again was to alleviate traffic in the downtown area. But I don’t think that’s going to be the case. Instead I’m concerned that drivers and the streetcars won’t be able to coordinate in order for both, vehicles and the streetcars, to properly operate during the day,” said junior economics major Aylin Heredia.
Meanwhile, some UTEP students are looking forward to hopping on the streetcar.
“I feel the vintage streetcar offers a unique and exciting transportation experience for all of its users. This technology serves as means of transportation, all while promoting the conservation and education of our city’s history,” said senior organizational and corporate communication major Mitzi Anguiano Zarate. “I am eager to hop on a streetcar with my family and friends to take in the beautiful views of El Paso. I am sure I will enjoy the change of pace and glimpse of the past that streetcars have to offer.”
Reviving the city’s history as well as using the streetcar to help reduce traffic from the downtown/university area seem to be some motivators for students.
“The streetcar is an amazing way to revive our vibrant border history,” said junior history major Tais Miller. “I currently reside around the UTEP area, so the streetcar will be a great convenience for me since I can use it to go from the university to downtown. For college students, it will help us reduce our carbon usage, which is a plus.”
Sun Metro is still waiting to receive the state’s security certification in order to begin operations. According to their public affairs coordinator, Oscar Arriaga, Sun Metro is planning to keep continuous street safety tests up until late November and have its grand opening in December of this year.
Aimée Santillán may be reached at [email protected].
