Symbolically, this is a good idea. American cities should be investing in better electrified mass transit and a high-profile project like this is a nice gesture in that direction. Plus the streetcar is such an iconic element of New Orleans's character that expanding its visibility also makes sense from an aesthetic point of view. However, there are two concerns.
1) A look at the proposed routes causes one to question whether this has been conceived as a public transit enhancement for residents or as a schlocky amusement for tourists. I can see the logic in connecting Union Passenger Terminal to Canal Street via Loyola Avenue (or S. Rampart as the T-P article speculates) but the St. Claude route into the Bywater seems like a better plan because it actually connects a residential neighborhood to the commercial core of town. The Convention Center route is just stupid.
2) On the other hand, New Orleans streetcars pretty much suck as a reliable means of getting to work on time... but that's really never much of a priority around here anyway.
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