Sharon Coolidge

scoolidge@enquirer.com

Council's regular streetcar update Tuesday was about more than finances.

Paul Grether, METRO's manager of rail services, announced the streetcar would start carrying passengers on Sept. 9, a date that meets the city's opening date goal.

The date is dependent on training and certification, but that's on track to be completed by Sept. 9, said Councilwoman Amy Murray. Each of the city's five cars needs to have made 100 laps, going roughly 500 kilometers. Two cars have been certified.

The Ohio Department of Transportation and the Federal Transportation Administration are involved in all planning.

A streetcar grand opening weekend is being planned with activities along the route, including The Banks, downtown and Over the Rhine, according to the regional transit authority.

The streetcar will run on a 3.6-mile loop through downtown and cost taxpayers $148 million.