Streetcar Serenade

Madison's Mayor Dave recently took a lot of heat for his advocacy of streetcars. Many critics, refusing to take off their blinders, fell back on that old saw of the city as "X square miles surrounded by reality".

Now, thanks to an article in today's New York Times, there's a chance for folks to take a wider view on the topic.

"Downtowns Across the U.S. See Streetcars in Their Future "

Excerpt: At least 40 other cities are exploring streetcar plans to spur economic development, ease traffic congestion and draw young professionals and empty-nest baby boomers back from the suburbs, according to the Community Streetcar Coalition, which includes city officials, transit authorities and engineers who advocate streetcar construction.

The indefatigable streetcar critic, Randal O'Toole, seems to be the go-to person on these types of stories. The New York Times refers to him as "as expert on urban growth and transportation issues. Here's my very own editorial corrective. A self-professed expert with an ax to grind on various urban growth and transportation issues.

Mr. O'Toole played an active role in Madison's streetcar discussion. Check out these Wisconsin State Journal opinion pieces.
Portland's Streetcar Success Just a Hoax (By Randal O'Toole, January 8, 2007)
Don't Fall for Streetcar Hoax. (By Randal O'Toole, December 19, 2006)

Mr. O'Toole, by the way, is affiliated with the Cato Institute, which promotes public policy based on individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peaceful international relations. In other words, he's a true believer in the invisible hand of the free market.

For more on the free-market crowd, see http://bennel.blogspot.com/2008/02/call-to-conference.html.