Officials address pedestrian driver safety surrounding streetcar

Pick-up stations in the middle of slimming streets caused concerns about El Paso Streetcar safety.

The project is scheduled to roll out in around six months, but since the beginning safety manager Jose Marquez said tests to try and divert disaster have been conducted.

“It started with the clearance test,” said Marquez.

Crews made sure the cars were able to smoothly operate on the tracks with enough space to avoid a collision with curbs or fixed objects.

In many areas, near Stanton Street and Arizona Avenue, for example, passengers waits on platforms in the middle of the streets. Marquez said testing in that specific area has not been done, but precautions are in place.

“Additional striping and signs have been implemented in that area to increase the safety of motorists and pedestrians including specific striping on the roads,” said Marquez.

The streetcar path twists and turns in downtown, but Marquez said they will soon have their own stop lights.

Car 1506 is only being tested at night, however, as the next phase approaches, Marquez said it will be tested during the day to acclimate the public to sharing the roadways.

Crews are still devising plans to address various emergency situations. Those plans have to be approved by state safety agencies, such as the Texas Department of Transportation.

In fact, Marquez said crews have to two drills annually.

The November launch date is still on schedule, according to Marquez.

Planned operating hours are listed below:

Monday through Thursday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Friday 7 a.m. – 1 a.m.

Saturday 8a.m. to 1 a.m.

Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Marqez said no security personnel have been hired to patrol pick-up stops, or the vehicles.

Riders will have to tug on cord inside the bus to signal the driver to stop.