Connector (Cincinnati)

This article is about the system that opened in 2016. For the historic systems, see Streetcars in Cincinnati. For the never-built system, see MetroMoves.

Connector
Connector at The Banks in September 2016
Overview
Other name(s)Cincinnati Streetcar (planning)
Cincinnati Bell Connector (2016–2022)
OwnerCity of Cincinnati
Line number100
LocaleCincinnati, Ohio, United States
Stations18
WebsiteOfficial website
Service
TypeStreetcar
Services1
Operator(s)Transdev
Rolling stockFive CAF Urbos 3
Daily ridership3,079[1](as of 2023)
Ridership1,108,092 (annual)[2]
History
OpenedSeptember 9, 2016; 8 years ago (2016-09-09)
Technical
Line length5.8 km (3.6 mi)
CharacterStreet running
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
ElectrificationOverhead line, 750 V DC
Route map

Legend
Brewery District
Maintenance Facility
Findlay Market
– Elm
Findlay Market
– Race
Liberty & Elm
Liberty & Race
14th & Elm
Washington Park
12th & Vine
12th & Main
Central Parkway
Court & Main
Public Library
8th & Main
Aronoff Center
6th & Main
Fountain Square
4th & Main
I-71.svgUS 50.svg I-71 / US 50
Fort Washington Way
 The Banks

The Connector is a streetcar system in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. The system opened to passengers on September 9, 2016.[3] The streetcar operates on a 3.6-mile (5.8 km)[4] loop from The Banks, Great American Ball Park, Paycor Stadium, and Smale Riverfront Park through Downtown Cincinnati and north to Findlay Market in the northern edge of the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. Future extensions have been proposed to the Uptown area, home to the University of Cincinnati, the regional hospitals on Pill Hill, and the Cincinnati Zoo; and to Northern Kentucky.

Due to the cost, and lack of distance, the project faced opposition on several occasions after being first proposed in 2007. Challenges included ballot initiatives to stop the project in 2009 and 2011, opposition from members of Cincinnati City Council, Governor John Kasich, and Mayor John Cranley (elected in 2013). However, both of the anti-rail ballot initiatives were rejected by voters, and a pro-streetcar majority was elected to City Council in 2011, allowing the project to move forward. Naming rights to the system were purchased by Cincinnati Bell in a $3.4 million, 10-year deal in August 2016.[5] The streetcar was known as the Cincinnati Bell Connector until 2022, when the system gained its current name after the rebranding of Cincinnati Bell to Altafiber.[6]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, fares were suspended and eventually eliminated.[7]

  1. ^ Cincinnati, City of. "Ridership Records". Cincy Insights. City of Cincinnati. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  2. ^ Cincinnati, City of. "Streetcar Ridership". Cincy Insights. City of Cincinnati. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  3. ^ Rinehart, Bill (September 9, 2016). "Cincinnati's Streetcar Is Open For Business". WVXU. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  4. ^ "Design & Route". City of Cincinnati. 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  5. ^ "Cincinnati Bell Named Sponsor of the Cincinnati Streetcar". Go-metro.com (Press release). SORTA. August 18, 2016. Archived from the original on September 11, 2016. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  6. ^ "FAQs - Streetcar". City of Cincinnati. 2022. Archived from the original on September 18, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  7. ^ "The Cincinnati Streetcar Will Be Free to Ride — Permanently — Starting Nov. 1". Cincinnati CityBeat. October 28, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2020.