Cityscape

QLine Extends Free Rides Through Labor Day While it Tries to Improve

June 22, 2017, 9:58 AM by  Allan Lengel


QLINE photo

The QLine will extend free fares through Labor Day, thanks to a Kresge Foundation contribution.

In an announcement posted on its website, the streetcar line vows tol continue working to "make specific operational and rider experience improvements."

The system began operating May 12 and continues to have little glitches.

The electronic signs inside the streetcar notifying passengers of the next stop don't always work properly, the trains are still too slow getting to a destination, estimated arrival times posted at each station are often considerably off and the free WiFi continues to be spotty.

Then again, for free, it's hard for passengers to complain too much. Plus, it feeds enthusiasm for public transportation -- something the city and the region badly need. 

QLine posts this Thursday:

STATION INFORMATION KIOSKS
M-1 RAIL is working with its real-time transit information provider to improve accuracy of predicted streetcar arrivals.

PEAK / OFF-PEAK OPERATIONS
Additional operators are currently being trained and will be deployed in the coming weeks to allow the full implementation of a four-car service during off-peak operations and a five-car operation during peak service times.

TRAFFIC POLICY AND SIGNAL PREEMPTION
QLINE operational policies have been revised to limit unnecessary time in traffic along the route. In addition, M-1 RAIL continues to work with MDOT and the City of Detroit to authorize signal priority at select intersections along Woodward Avenue, including:

  • Congress Avenue (complete)
  • Campus Martius (complete)
  • Burroughs Street (in process)
  • Montcalm Street (in process)


STOP POLICY
Station stops without passengers boarding or exiting the streetcar will be bypassed. QLine will stop at all stations with waiting passengers. It will also stop when onboard passengers push the “stop” button aboard the streetcar, indicating their intention to exit the streetcar.

REDUCING CHARGE TIMES
The performance of the QLine’s battery powering system has exceeded expectations, reducing the amount of time needed for vehicle charging along the route. The QLINE will begin to operate approximately 80% off-wire, eliminating approximately three minutes of battery charge time per round trip run.

TRANSIT POLICE ENFORCEMENT
New development along Woodward has continued at an aggressive pace. M-1 Rail continues to work closely with transit police to enforce policies that keep the route free of vehicle and construction obstructions.



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