A rapid transit streetcar system could be a major catalyst for achieving many of the city's future goals. Streetcars are not old- fashioned, they went away because the private businesses that operated them could not compete with the tax subsidized street system. New streetcar lines are being opened and extended in many American cities. The modern streetcar offers amenities not available by buses. It is a transit mode that attracts people from private autos. Portland, Seattle and Tacoma all have new systems.
There is much talk about traffic congestion and demand for a new road bridge in the Salem area. The unused Union Street Railroad Bridge offers an ideal structure for a streetcar link across the river. If properly designed this line would transport 2,500 to 4,000 passengers a day between West Salem, downtown, the transit station and the Capitol Mall.

Placing rail on the bridge makes sense and need not conflict with the walkway project. The track could be placed on top of the trusses away from the lower level walkway. This would enable the streetcars to travel above Front, Commercial and Liberty Streets to reduce traffic conflicts.
Modern American streetcars are now manufactured in Oregon. The Salem streetcar system would support local Oregon jobs and deliver customers to local businesses along the route. Using proven construction techniques, this streetcar line can be built for a fraction of the cost estimate in the Salem Streetcar Study.

There has been talk of operating a rubber tire "trolley" as a circulator in Downtown Salem. This type of vehicle is a cute bus and does have the attraction of a rail vehicle. After the novelty wears off, a Salem "trolley" bus would probably peak at 100 passengers a day.

As Salem looks to the future, it needs an elightened approach to transportation to serve its residents. Good streets and roads are a necessity. However, modern streetcars are a way to provide capacity to meet the community's mobility needs at an affordable cost.
-- Anonymous