Streetcars coming to Halifax on Monday

After a much-publicized debacle involving a supposed private bus operator pledging to bring five buses to HRM to shuttle passengers hourly between Sackville and downtown Halifax, we are pleased to announce that a speedier, more environmentally friendly alternative for commuters will be arriving to fill the gap on Monday: STREETCARS.

Halifax has a rich history of streetcars, with trams rolling up and down our mighty hills in decades gone by. A conspiracy of factors led by the Detroit auto makers led to the untimely destruction of the rolling stock and its shameful replacement with diesel buses.

That era is over: Streetcars are coming back. On Monday.

You've no doubt noticed the ambitious construction projects under way around Halifax in recent years, and especially over the past month. Roads have been torn up, rails have been laid, and a thin layer of asphalt over top. It's all been in preparation for this.

A consortium of developers (anonymous, of course) has anticipated the current crisis and is ready, willing and able to offer the alternative Halifax has been waiting for. Short of an elevated monorail system (in development for 2018), streetcars are the ultimate solution to Halifax's commuter troubles. Now is the time. This is the place.

Streetcars carry more passengers than buses. They can go faster in straightaways than buses. They produce no fumes. Drivers are not required to turn -- it's simple stop and go. We've been able to train a shadow staff of operators (not "drivers", ew) and are ready to roll out. On Monday.

Fare and route information will be posted shortly.

We're not asking for your feedback, but you're welcome to leave some. Frankly, we know you want this, and we're ready to deliver.

This is not about scabs. This not about union-breaking. This is not about embarrassing the city. And this is not about views from Citadel Hill. This is about bringing a service people need and want in a time of need and want.

Monday.

Streetcars.

Halifax.