Opposition to streetcar gains stronger foothold
Statement of Alderman Tony Zielinski August 14, 2019
The newly elected Alderman of the 13th District (who won the special election yesterday – August 13th) – and his opponent – ran on a position of being opposed to the expansion of the streetcar.
In fact, every candidate who ran for the open 13th District seat ran as being opposed to the streetcar expansion. Each knew full well they wouldn’t have a chance of being elected had they not been opposed to expanding the streetcar!
To me this reveals the immensely strong opposition to the streetcar expansion that exists broadly across the city. The average citizen sees the streetcar for the boondoggle that it is.
The mayor loves touting how many “rides” the streetcar is experiencing this summer, but you won’t see him releasing any polling numbers showing how average Milwaukeeans truly view the streetcar. Those numbers wouldn’t look so great for the mayor.
The election in the 13th District just puts a spotlight on the evidence of opposition among citizens to the streetcar, and with the former incumbent in the 13th District now retired (and his successor in place) the Common Council has gained yet another streetcar expansion opponent.
I’d say the mayor’s expansion plans for the streetcar are now on very shaky ground.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
More about the Milwaukee Streetcar
For more project details, including the project timeline, financing, route and possible extensions, see our extensive past coverage.
- Council Kills Streetcar’s ‘Festivals Line’ - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 31st, 2024
- Streetcar Will Use Festivals-Oriented Route Through Summer - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 9th, 2024
- The Hop’s Lines Will Merge For Easier Summerfest Service - Jeramey Jannene - May 30th, 2024
- Streetcar Begins Daily Service To The Couture, BRT Will Soon Follow - Jeramey Jannene - Apr 11th, 2024
- Milwaukee’s Three Streetcar Extensions Need Mayoral Direction - Jeramey Jannene - Nov 8th, 2023
- Transportation: Streetcar Extension Opens Sunday - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 28th, 2023
- Ride Along On Streetcar Extension Before It Opens - Jeramey Jannene - Oct 11th, 2023
- Lakefront Streetcar Extension Opens October 29 - Jeramey Jannene - Aug 22nd, 2023
- Streetcar Ridership Has Climbed For 27 Straight Months Year-Over-Year - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 28th, 2023
- Transportation: Harley-Davidson Is New Streetcar Sponsor - Jeramey Jannene - Jul 7th, 2023
Read more about Milwaukee Streetcar here
Mentioned in This Press Release
Recent Press Releases by Ald. Tony Zielinski
No money for police, lead hazard issues or infrastructure, but let’s pump up the streetcar we can’t afford
Nov 1st, 2019 by Ald. Tony ZielinskiStatement of Alderman Tony Zielinski November 1, 2019
It is not a boondoggle. It is a great asset.
There are people who apparently love to hate THE HOP. I suspect that they could lose that love to hate if they took a ride on it. That ride is smooth and relatively quiet. It takes you to a variety of interesting places for free. Expansion of the route could make it central to travel plans throughout the city. Expanded ridership of THE HOP could reduce car traffic congestion. It could become a primary means of transportation for many urban residents. Haters of the HOP are mostly generic haters: listeners to Rush Limbaugh and his ilk – malcontents who get thrills by deriding those who want to make life better for more people. .