To much anticipation and fanfare, the Cincinnati Bell Connector streetcar opened to the public on Sept. 9, after a grand opening dedication ceremony held in the historic Washington Park at 10:30 a.m.
Sixty-five years after the final run of the original streetcars in the Queen City, the new system is once again providing Cincinnatians with a new and exciting way to travel throughout the urban core.
The grand opening celebration included remarks from Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley and two past Mayors, Mark Mallory and Roxanne Qualls, who were instrumental in the conception of the streetcar project in Cincinnati, along with Federal Transit Administration’s Acting Administrator Carolyn Flowers, Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority’s Board Chair Jason Dunn and other dignitaries, elected officials and supporters.
Following the ceremony, dignitaries and key supporters took an inaugural first ride along the 3.6 mile loop, before the streetcar service officially opened to the public - kicking off a weekend full of festivities planned along route.
The momentous occasion was made possible by several generous sponsors, including presenting sponsors and Cincinnati Bell Connector operator Transdev Americas and the streetcar vehicles manufacturer CAF USA.
"As the world’s leading provider of streetcar and light rail, we are proud to serve as the operator of the Cincinnati Bell Connector,” said Mark Joseph, CEO of Transdev Americas. "We look forward to bringing our expertise to deliver safe, top quality service, and to partnering with the city to improve mobility and economic development.”
“CAF is thrilled to be the vanguard for sleek, modern, 100% low floor streetcars in the US. We congratulate the City of Cincinnati for their forward thinking in acquiring the first 100% low floor vehicles in the US, and opening the doors for other cities to also obtain this technologically advanced, urban mobility solution,” said Ignacio Maria Barrenechea, area manager, North America. “Our URBOS streetcars are aesthetically pleasing and provide an extremely comfortable ride, with stylish interiors, and an exterior that seamlessly blends with and enhances any cityscape.”
The grand opening celebration not only marks the launch of the new Cincinnati Bell Connector, but highlights how the streetcar is connecting the many businesses, arts organizations and neighborhoods along Cincinnati’s riverfront and Downtown areas.
