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Officials with the City of El Paso announced Friday morning that the El Paso Streetcar will undergo scheduled operational testing the week of May 11-15, 2020.

The testing will be conducted between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. The public is reminded that streetcar service is suspended in response to COVID-19, and will not be picking up passengers during its testing period.

The testing will be carried out on both the downtown and uptown loops. Streetcars will run the routes multiple times during the day as required by federal regulations.

While the streetcar is operating, motorists and pedestrians are urged to be extra vigilant and obey all safety measures along the route to include:

–       Never stop your vehicle on the tracks.

–       Obey all crossing signals and signage.

–       Never walk, run or ride your bicycle along the streetcar tracks.

–       Stay alert near all streetcar pedestrian crossings. Keep cells phones or headphones off until after your cross.

–       Keep a safe distance between yourself and the streetcars.

The community is invited to enjoy the WinterFest season with a special ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas read and ride event featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus on the El Paso Streetcar.

The rides will start at 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 15.

Children and families will be able to ride the streetcar for free and take pictures with the Jolly Ole Duo while listening to holiday stories.

City staff volunteers will read ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and other stories to get young and old alike in the spirit of Christmas.

Visitors who attend will be entered in a raffle for a chance to win a free family four-pack of tickets to see Ken Ludwig’s ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas playing at the Plaza Theater on December 19.

In addition, visitors will also receive free tickets to ride the El Paso Locomotive FC Sun City Express train that is in circulation at the pedestrian pathway (rea between Southwest University Park and the Convention Center).

For more information on this unique WinterFest event, visit the website.

 El Paso Streetcar will extend its El Paso Strong Ride campaign through the end of October.

“We are pleased to extend the El Paso Strong Ride to offer our riders the opportunity to continue to help create a legacy of love by contributing to the development of the El Paso Strong Memorial. The extension of this streetcar programming demonstrates how the El Paso community remains united during this difficult time as our city continues to recover from the impact of August 3,” Jay Banasiak, Sun Metro Director said.

The campaign, which began in early September, waives streetcar fares to encourage riders to donate to the El Paso Strong effort via streetcar fare boxes.

The El Paso Strong effort supports the development of a permanent memorial to honor the victims and survivors of the domestic terrorism attack on August 3.

The City of El Paso is teaming up with public and private organizations to develop a permanent memorial honoring the victims and survivors of the attack.

For more information about the El Paso Streetcar visit epstreetcar.com or call (915) 212-3333. Like their Facebook page or follow them on Instagram.

Beginning the week of May 13, 2019, the El Paso Streetcar will extend its weekend service hours to meet the needs of summer downtown programming.

“Our purpose is to cater to our riders needs and enhance their quality of life by providing service to the numerous events, countless restaurants and businesses, along the streetcar route,”  Sun Metro Director Jay Banasiak said. “These extended weekend hours will ensure our residents and visitors have a safe and efficient transit option in the downtown and uptown areas while enjoying late night events.”

The new schedule will include service up to 3:00 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.

“The streetcar provides another option for visitors to enjoy the different entertainment opportunities in the downtown arts district, such as live music and festivals. We will be announcing special programming for the summer that will encourage more people to hop on the streetcar,” said Tracey Jerome, Managing Director, Museums and Cultural Affairs, Libraries and Tourism.

Riders should be aware that the last streetcar departing from the Maintenance and Storage Facility (Santa Fe and 4^th Street) on Sunday – Wednesday will be at 11:22 p.m.; Thursday – Saturday at 2:24 a.m.

The full figure eight ride takes approximately 45 minutes including pick up and drop off.

The streetcar offers 27 stops connecting Downtown El Paso to Glory Road Transit Center. The route features two loops that interconnect an international bridge, an array of museums and restaurants, the baseball park, historic neighborhoods, and the University of Texas at El Paso among many other prominent locations.

Tickets can be purchased using the farebox inside any streetcar (exact change of $1.50 per ride required) or at any of the ticket vending locations throughout the route and Sun Metro transit centers. Student, military, senior citizens, and other discounts available.

Beginning Week of May 13, Streetcar Summer Extended Schedule

• Sunday through Wednesday: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. (Midnight)
• Thursday through Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 a.m.

Current Streetcar Summer Schedule

• Sunday through Wednesday: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. (Midnight)
• Thursday through Saturday: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.

For more information visit the streetcar website.

On Friday morning, the City of El Paso will inaugurate the long-awaited El Paso Streetcar service.

The launch ceremony will feature three different color schemes of the newly restored Presidents Conference Committee (PCC) Streetcars and the inaugural first dignitary ride.

“This is a step towards a historic transformation for El Paso,” Sun Metro Director Jay Banasiak said. “The city will be seeing a new mode of transportation system as the El Paso Streetcar adds another viable transit option for residents and visitors.”

The public will be able to ride starting at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 9. The service will be free on grand opening weekend (November 9, 10 & 11) and every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until January 6^th.

Monday through Thursday Streetcar fares will mirror Sun Metro’s current fare structure. Visit the Streetcar website for full fare details or call (915) 212-3333.

During grand opening weekend, the Streetcars will only service six stops:

• Santa Fe at Fourth
• Franklin at El Paso
• Stanton at Cincinnati
• Glory Road Transfer Center
• Oregon at Missouri
• Kansas at Mills

Beginning Monday, November 12, 2018, the El Paso Streetcar will service all 27 stops along its 4.8 mile route. A listing of all stops along the Downtown and Uptown loops is available online or by calling (915) 212-3333.

City officials added, “The El Paso Streetcar route highlights all the wonderful things that make El Paso downtown and uptown a unique place to visit.”

The 4.8 mile-route will run in two loops through El Paso’s uptown and downtown areas. Both loops will interconnect through a single-tracked corridor an international bridge, an array of businesses, restaurants, government buildings, convention center, downtown ballpark, and the University of Texas at El Paso among many other prominent locations.

Streetcar Amenities

The El Paso Streetcar amenities feature:

• Seating for approximately 35 people and additional space for standing riders
• Free Wi-Fi
• ADA accessibility
• Bike racks
• Air conditioning
• Heating
• Upgrades for safety
• Modern propulsion
• Streetcar branding along the route and signage at designated stops
• Pavement, sidewalk and driveway improvements at designated stops

Ceremony details for Friday:

WHO:            City of El Paso and Sun Metro

WHAT:          Streetcar Inauguration Ceremony

WHEN:          11:00 a.m. Friday, November 9, 2018

WHERE:        Franklin Street, between Santa Fe and Oregon

The El Paso Streetcars will begin what officials call “Pre-Revenue Service” on Tuesday, October 9, 2018. This is the next step for Sun Metro before it can launch the streetcar service for the public.

The pre-revenue operation referred to as a “dress rehearsal” will emulate the proposed hours the streetcar will run on the Downtown and Uptown loops and it will do so without a safety escort.

The City will enforce all traffic ordinances that could potentially stop the streetcar from operating. Vehicles that are parked on the streetcar tracks or impede the streetcar from moving forward, will be fined and towed.

During this period, streetcar staff will operate the proposed schedule with no passengers on board to evaluate everything from streetcar speeds to roundtrip times, as well as other items. This will ensure the streetcars are safe for public use.

City officials add “It’s important that the streetcars be allowed to operate throughout the route with no blocks or delays during the pre-revenue service period.”

Here are a few important safety tips for residents to keep in mind:

• DO NOT board the streetcar even if the doors open at a station during this testing phase.
• Avoid driving in the “Bus Lane” along Oregon, designated strictly for Streetcar and Bus use, unless a right-hand turn is necessary.
• Motorists should not go around or cut off the streetcar. The streetcar can start moving unexpectedly. If a streetcar is stopped for an extended period of time due to an interruption, it will turn on hazard lights (four-way flashers), indicating that is OK to go around it.
• Pedestrians should exercise extra caution around the streetcar.  Even at posted un-signalized crosswalks, the streetcar cannot make abrupt stops.
• Cyclists should avoid riding near streetcar tracks. Track grooves are slightly wider than the typical bike tire, so it’s easy for tires to become caught between the rails. Always cross rails at a 90 degree angle.

For more information about El Paso Streetcar safety, go online or call (915) 212-3333

Hours of Operations:

The offices of  City Representatives Peter Svarzbein and Cissy Lizarraga , in conjunction with the Planning & Inspections Department of the City of El Paso, are inviting residents to attend an interactive mapping exercise to provide input on the Streetcar Corridor Plan.

City officials share that “This will be an opportunity to voice ideas, concerns, and be an active participant in envisioning the future of the streetcar corridor.”

Citizens are invited to participate in an interactive hop-on/hop-off bus route that takes them along the North and South streetcar loops with different stops along the way.

At each stop, there will be different points of interests on a walking tour along with hosts to share some of their perspectives on a variety of topics ranging from current conditions, potential development, history of the place, or even some of the nuisances or obstacles to the growth or preservation of that specific area.

There will be two tour opportunities, morning and afternoon, where both the North and South loops will be completed and participants will then have a chance to engage in an interactive mapping exercise directed by artist Graham Coreil-Allen.

Seats are limited and are on a first come, first serve basis. Participation will be limited to 50 people per tour (100 people total). Lunch will be provided for the morning tour. Refreshments will also be provided for both the morning and afternoon.

WHO: Representatives Peter Svarzbein and Cissy Lizarraga w/ Planning & Inspections Department of the City of El Paso

WHAT: Interactive mapping exercise to provide input on the Streetcar Corridor Plan

WHEN: Saturday, October 6th
• Tour #1: 9am-12pm, Exercise #1: 1:00pm-2:30pm (lunch: 12:00pm to 1:00pm)
• Tour #2: 12pm-3pm, Exercise #2: 3:30 pm-5pm

WHERE: Begin/end at Downtown Art Museum – 1 Arts Festival Plaza, El Paso, TX 79901

*To RSVP, please email Streetcar@elpasotexas.gov, or call (915) 212-1002

The third of El Paso’s newly-renovated streetcars is set to return home to the Sun City this weekend, replete in a very vintage color combination.

Car No. 1504 will arrive at approximately 10am on Sunday, July 15, 2018, according to the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority.  The exact arrival time is subject to change without notice due to weather, traffic and/or other conditions beyond the CRRMA’s control.

1504 is part of the fleet of streetcars which ran in El Paso until 1974, and is the third of six vintage Presidents Conference Committee (PCC) streetcars to be refurbished and modernized as part of the $97 million El Paso Streetcar Project.

Each of the six streetcars will be painted in one of three vintage color schemes from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. Car No. 1504 is the first to debut the green-on-green color scheme which was originally used on the El Paso streetcars during the 1960s.

The two streetcars that previously made their way back to El Paso featured a red-on-green color scheme.

The truck that is carrying Car No. 1504 will enter Downtown El Paso accompanied by an escort and travel to Father Rahm Avenue where it will be unloaded. To accommodate that operation, Father Rahm Avenue will be closed between El Paso Street and Santa Fe Street beginning Saturday, July 14, 2018, the night prior to its arrival. It will re-open as soon as the unloading operation is complete.

Once the streetcar has been unloaded, it will be transported into the Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF) at 601 South Santa Fe Street to be inspected by the CRRMA and Sun Metro.

Members of the public will not be able to access the streetcar at this time.

Motorists, pedestrian and cyclists are encouraged to avoid the area if possible. Use extreme caution and expect delays if travel in the area cannot be avoided.

The CRRMA will continue testing of the streetcars and the streetcar rail and electrical system to ensure the system is safe before Sun Metro begins operating the service for the public. In the coming weeks, residents will continue to see streetcars running along the 4.8 mile route but  won’t be able to board. Exact dates of testing are not available.

Below are some important tips to remember as we welcome the third streetcar back to El Paso:

• Other than traveling on a fixed route, the streetcars will operate much like other vehicles. They will have a maximum speed of approximately 25 miles per hour, obeying all traffic laws and — in most cases — they will travel with other vehicles in a travel lane.
• The Streetcar is powered by lines running above the street which carry 650 DC volts of electricity. Always consider every line to be fully energized. Never touch the wires or anything touching the wires.
• Don’t ride your bike along the rails your tire can get stuck between the rail and the pavement. When you cross the rails, do so at a 90-degree angle.
• Pedestrians should also use extra caution when crossing the rails or walking near the streetcar line.
• For more information, call (844) 252-RAIL.

Click here to view bilingual safety videos produced by the CRRMA as part of the El Paso Streetcar Project.

As part of the El Paso Streetcar Project, the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority will begin on-street testing on the Uptown Loop on the night of Monday, July 9, 2018.

No street closures will be required at this time. However, motorists, pedestrian and cyclists are encouraged to used extra caution and allow extra time if travelling along the route during testing.

Additionally, vehicles blocking the tracks are subject to be towed at their owner’s expense.

The Uptown Loop includes Stanton Street, Baltimore Drive, Glory Road, Oregon Street and Franklin Avenue. Overnight on-street testing will also continue on the Downtown Loop which includes Franklin Avenue, Kansas Street, Father Rahm Avenue and Santa Fe Street as well.

Officials add, “As always, all overhead lines along the streetcar route should always be considered to be energized…residents should never touch the wires or have anything touching the wires.”

To learn more about the testing phase, click here

As part of the testing phase for the El Paso Streetcar Project, the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority (CRRMA) will soon energize the Overhead Contact System (OCS) along the Uptown Loop.

Beginning on Monday, June 18, 2018, OCS wires along the Uptown Loop — including Franklin Avenue, Stanton Street, Baltimore Drive, Glory Road and Oregon Street — will be fully energized with up to 650-volts DC.

CRMMA officials warn, “From this point forward, all streetcar lines should always be considered to be energized. Never touch the wires or anything touching the wires.”

During testing next week, motorists may also notice specially outfitted trucks which will ride the route with a police escort testing the wires. OCS system testing is expected to have a minimal impact on motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

OCS wires along the Downtown Loop, including Franklin Avenue, Kansas Street, Father Rahm Avenue and Santa Fe Street remain fully energized as well.

Before the City of El Paso begins operating the service for the public, the CRRMA will undertake several months of rigorous testing of the El Paso Streetcar Project to ensure the system is safe and operating as expected. That includes testing elements of the OCS such as power substations and overhead lines which will power the streetcars.

Officials with the streetcar project will again be testing the new cars Tuesday night, and some Downtown streets will be closed.

Kansas Street is scheduled to be closed to all traffic between Paisano Drive and Father Rahm Avenue beginning at approximately 10 pm on Tuesday, May 15, 2018, according to the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority (CRRMA).

Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue will also be closed at Kansas Street.  All streets are scheduled to re-open by 6 am on the following day.

These overnight closures are needed to accommodate testing related to the El Paso Streetcar Project. Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists are asked to avoid the area if possible during testing.

CRRMA officials add that temporarily parking restrictions have been marked along Kansas Street and will remain in effect through Wednesday.

Kansas Street is scheduled to be closed to all traffic between Paisano Drive and Father Rahm Avenue beginning at approximately 10 pm on Tuesday, May 8, and again on Wednesday, May 9, 2018, according to the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority.

Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue will also be closed at Kansas Street.  All streets are scheduled to re-open by 6 am on the following day.

These overnight closures are needed to accommodate testing related to the El Paso Streetcar Project. Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists are asked to avoid the area if possible during testing.

Temporarily parking restrictions have been marked along Kansas Street and will remain in effect through Thursday.

The Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority has announced the following traffic impacts for the weekend, related to the delivery of Streetcar No. 1512.

Streetcar No. 1512 will have the same red and green color scheme as Streetcar No. 1506 which was delivered to El Paso a few weeks ago.

As part of the El Paso Streetcar Project, six vintage Presidents Conference Committee (PCC) streetcars are being restored by Brookville Equipment Corporation in Brookville, Pn., before being returned to service in El Paso.

• On-street parking will be prohibited on Father Rahm Avenue between Santa Fe Street and El Paso Street beginning on Friday, April 27, 2018.
• Father Rahm Avenue will be closed to all traffic between Santa Fe Street and El Paso Street beginning on the morning of Sunday, April 29, 2018.
• The street is expected to re-open and all parking restrictions are expected to be lifted by Sunday afternoon.