The Regional Transportation Authority plan includes funding for the implementation of a modern streetcar system in the City of Tucson. The 3.9-mile route extends from the Mercado District on the west side of Interstate 10 to the University Health Sciences Center and travels through downtown Tucson and along 4th Avenue.
The $162.7 million project is scheduled to receive $87.7 million from RTA funds, including $3 million per year for operations, and another $75 million from matching federal funds. The City of Tucson is managing the project and is seeking final approval of the $75 million.
All costs include the streetcars, tracks, overhead wires, power supply, ticket machines, stops, maintenance facility, operations, labor and maintenance.
The system will have seven streetcars that will stop every 10 minutes at the 18 stops planned along the route during the day and every 20 minutes during the evening. The service will operate seven days a week between the hours of 6 a.m. and 2 a.m.
The streetcar will operate on a fixed-rail/electric system at street level and will share a lane of traffic with other vehicles. Technology allows the streetcars to operate safely, quietly and efficiently in high-pedestrian areas to link riders with major activity centers where parking is scarce.