02/15/2023
It's simple! As it stands, the planned Omaha Streetcar is a giveaway to Mutual of Omaha executives and a pet project for greedy Oligarchs like Jay Noodle. Instead of building token transit projects so Mutual of Omaha executives can still just drive to work from their luxury condos on Farnam Street anyway, the streetcar should be modified to actually serve the people of Omaha by CONNECTING TO EPPLEY AIRFIELD:
1. The developers of this plan claim this streetcar could be extended one day to begin creating a broader network of rail transit in Omaha. Great! Prove it and do it now! Instead of building a pet project, start that broader network you claim to want by actually making the project useful to actual Omaha residents now - connect it to the Airport!
2. There is currently no public transit options to Eppley Airfield from Omaha. This is complicated by the existence of Carter Lake, Iowa, but cowardly politicians who think this problem is too difficult to overcome should resign from office so more ambitious leaders can get to work!
3. Use by tourists for the College World Series is touted as one of the main reasons for building the project - don't some people who come to the CWS come by - WAITFORIT - AIRPLANES??? Wouldn't it be nifty for those tourists if they could go without paying for expensive Ubers or Taxis and instead ride the Streetcar directly downtown from the Airport?
4. The People of Omaha are tired of their public services being undercut by the wants and desires of Omaha Businesses. Omahans have already been told to stomach the destruction of our downtown Library - it is a slap in the face for this project to have no real utility for Omahans other than entertainment. Extend the Streetcar to the Airport and make it useful for EVERYONE.