Charlotte CityLYNX Gold Line Uptown

These new streetcars (trams or trolleys) marked the beginning of Phase 2 of the CityLYNX Gold Line this month. You see views of the streetcars leaving the French Street terminus on the campus of Johnson C. Smith University, an HBCU three miles from where the Charlotte Hornets play pro basketball at their arena in the heart of the city. The Gold Line passes two universities and one college: JCSU, Johnson & Wales University, and Central Piedmont Community College. I like the futuristic lights on the streetcars to warn passengers when the doors are closing, and the trim colored lights on the edges of the door windows are beautiful. This short story is in four segments: we end our trip with the friendly motorman (conductor) going home. Charlotte has done a lot to improve the city’s public transportation system. If you live within good walking distance from either the light rail or streetcar, you have an excellent opportunity to park your wheels at home more often (or move around completely without, especially if you live close to Uptown). Buses supplement rail with strategic connections between both modes of transit. In the 1930’s, Charlotte had streetcars and buses running all over the city; an electric-powered freight railroad (overhead wires) did business between the Queen City and the adjacent counties. This happened in the Southeastern U.S., of course! Progress and history seem to repeat themselves, and it’s great to see it return. I’m talking about the good history like this.

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