Originally published December 10, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified December 10, 2007 at 12:56 AM
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Print viewStreetcar user's guide
For riders Fares: Free during December. After that: Adults: $1.50 at peak times, 6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday; $1.25 off-peak off-peak. Seniors: 65...
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MIKE SIEGEL / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Streetcars will share the roads in the South Lake Union area with cars, bicycles and pedestrians.
Streetcar facts
Route length: 1.3 milesNumber of stops: 11
Train frequency: Every 15 minutes
Number of trains: Two on the route, one spare
Colors: Red, orange and purple
Height of streetcar: 11 feet, 3 inches
Length of car: 66 feet
Weight of car: 66,000 pounds
Seats: 30
Capacity, with standing room: 140
Project cost: $52 million
Operating cost: $1.7 million in 2008
Owner: city of Seattle
Operator: King County Metro Transit
Web site: www.seattlestreetcar.com
Source: city of Seattle
Talkin' streetcars
StreetcarA coach that runs on rails in or along streets, usually for local trips.
Trolley
An electric streetcar, or rubber-tired bus, that gets its power from an overhead wire, conveyed to the vehicle through a trolley pole or poles.
Cable car
A car pulled by a constantly moving cable; for instance, a gondola up a mountain peak, or a surface railcar that grips its wire underground, on a steeply inclined street.
For riders
Fares:
Free during December. After that:
Adults: $1.50 at peak times, 6 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday; $1.25 off-peak.
Seniors: 65 and older, and people with disabilities, 50 cents.
Youth: ages 6 to 17, 50 cents.
Children 5 and younger: free.
Passes: King County Metro passes and the Puget Pass are accepted.
Hours of operation: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday and holidays.
Frequency: every 15 minutes.
How to pay: The farebox is in the middle of the car. Slip coins, a $1 bill or a $5 bill into the machine to get a ticket. Be ready to show the ticket or a transit pass to an inspector.
How to save: Rides are free from Wednesday's opening day through Dec. 31.
How to board: Get on at any of 11 stations; most are along the sidewalk. Each station will have a satellite-linked screen, showing when the next train will arrive.
How to know where to go : Maps will be posted at the stations. Or, check www.seattlestreetcar.org.
FOR DRIVERS
How to drive near the streetcars: Proceed wisely through crowded intersections, so as not to wind up stopped on the tracks. Avoid sudden turns and lane changes in front of the trains.
How to park: Maneuver your car close to the curb, making sure wheels and mirrors are inside the solid white safety line, so a streetcar won't sideswipe the driver's side. Also, watch for a train before opening doors.
FOR BICYCLISTS
How to bike: New rails in the curb lanes of Westlake Avenue create a serious safety hazard because bicycle tires can get caught in track grooves. Always cross train tracks at a perpendicular angle. Bicycles are allowed on the streetcars.
Copyright © 2007 The Seattle Times Company
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