Inspiring Citadis tram video

The latter part of this video of the new Alstom Citadis X05 tram does a lot to illustrate the vision of livable communities inspiringly served by transit!

Also see these great photos of trams in French cities.

U.S. light rail

Healthy communities > U.S. light rail

Seattle

Portland

Sacramento

Los Angeles

San Diego

Denver

Houston

French trams

Healthy communities > French trams

Angers

Many French cities have built new electric tram lines in the last decade or two. Not only do they provide convenient zero-emissions mobility, they have added wonderful artistic flair to the urban design of both historic and modern areas. Here are four of my favorite examples. Also see Trams in France, Wikipedia, and Oil Free Transportation.

Bordeaux

Montpellier

Strasbourg

Sources: Special thanks to Flickr Creative Commons users Alain Rouiller 1 and 2, David McKelvey 3, Ian Fisher 4 and 5, James-In-Transit 6, rosipaw 7, and Kris Duda 8!

Transit case studies

Healthy communities > Transit case studies

Expo Line light rail approvals – 2001 and 2010

• Opportunity for light rail from downtown Los Angeles west to Santa Monica along existing railroad right-of-way
• Opposition by NIMBYs and rail transit opponents
• Formed volunteer group Friends 4 Expo Transit, including SC Angeles Chapter
• Presented opportunity and need for light rail’s speed, comport, and capacity in this high-density corridor to many neighborhood groups
• Gathered endorsements and signatures and mobilized supporters via email and website to public meetings
• Achieved support of city councils and MTA board approval
• Created constituency for larger transit network that led to Move LA

Measure R, Los Angeles County 2008 1/2-cent sales tax – Move LA coalition

• Organized conference on how to fund L.A.’s transit network
• Built coalition of labor, business, environmentalists, transit agency, and elected officials to create and support county sales tax ballot measure
• Achieved passage over necessary 2/3 majority
• Continuing as leading voice for transit funding (America Fast Forward) and smart growth planning (MPO SCAG’s Regional Plan)