New York City is going to be bringing a little old school charm to its transportation system with a modern twist: electric streetcars. Dubbed the Brooklyn Queens Connector, it will be largest of its kind in the United States. Running along the waterfront between Astoria, Queens and Sunset Park, Brooklyn, it will also be quite expensive, ringing in $2.5 billion.
The official plans for the electric streetcars was unveiled by mayor Bill de Blasio. He states, "This is about equity and innovation. We are mapping brand new transit that will knit neighborhoods together and open up real opportunities for our people." The electric streetcar system was motivated by the fact that 10 percent of the city's public housing population lives along the Brooklyn-Queens waterfront with little access to public transportation.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Electric Streetcars
- The development of electric streetcars presents opportunities for companies to innovate in the transportation industry.
- Waterfront Transit
- The investment in waterfront transit systems opens up opportunities for companies to disrupt the urban transportation landscape.
- Equitable Transportation
- The focus on equity in transportation provides a chance for businesses to innovate and create inclusive mobility solutions.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Transportation
- The transportation industry can capitalize on the growth of electric streetcars and waterfront transit systems.
- Urban Planning
- The urban planning industry has a chance to disrupt traditional city layouts by incorporating equitable transportation infrastructure.
- Clean Energy
- The clean energy industry can play a role in providing sustainable power solutions for electric streetcars.
