Sharon Coolidge

scoolidge@enquirer.com

The agency that runs the streetcar is demanding city taxpayers pay an additional $20,000 to run all five streetcars this weekend -- one of the biggest weekends of the year with Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, three baseball games and several races.

The issue has been brewing behind the scenes for weeks, but came to head Monday night when the head of the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority sent a 10 p.m. e-mail to City Manager Harry Black essentially saying it would run just two of the five streetcars.

The city contracts with SORTA to operate the streetcar, which opened to the public Friday.

"Special Events service funding is not included in the budget," SORTA CEO and General Manager Dwight Ferrell wrote. Then he cited the contract, pointing to a section that reads: "At the direction of the City, SORTA will provide supplemental Cincinnati Streetcar service for Special Events or for Charter Operations. This supplemental service will be contingent upon availability of Cincinnati Streetcar vehicles to provide the service and the availability of qualified personnel. The City will pay for the additional costs of such services upon receipt of SORTA's invoice."

Black fired back: "... this is not our understanding of the (agreement.)"

Black then added: "Must say that I am disappointed in the overall lack of leadership on the part of SORTA in the operationalization of the Streetcar in general. Appears as though SORTA is simply lacking in its ability to get this done on multiple fronts."

Also Tuesday it came to light that the passenger-counting sensors on the streetcars did not work properly, resulting in SORTA having to estimate ridership during the first weekend.

On top of that, not all credit card machines at ticket kiosks are functional.

Last week, the night before the opening, SORTA had to pull one car out of service due to a warranty issue. It was back in service within 24 hours after testing.

The 3.6-mile streetcar through Downtown and Over-the-Rhine cost $148 million to build and is projected to cost $4.2 million a year to operate. SORTA estimates 50,000 people rode the streetcar last weekend, its first in operation.

Several council members pointed out increased ticket sales would likely cover the $20,000 cost to run more cars. But nobody knows for sure.

A half million people are expected Downtown this weekend. Oktoberfest runs Friday to Sunday. SORTA's rail director, Paul Grether, told Council's Major Transportation Committee Tuesday SORTA can't afford the cost of increased service. Streetcars, under the contract, are supposed to run every 15 minutes.

Council members, during their Major Transportation Committee, bristled at SORTA's request.

"I am shocked this is where we end up on Tuesday after service begins," said Vice Mayor David Mann. "This is beyond comprehensible. I guess Shangri-La is over. I don’t think Council can accept that."

Mann said if necessary the city would take the matter to court. SORTA's Ferrell, who signed the letter to the city, could not be reached for comment. SORTA spokeswoman Sallie Hilvers said the issue is contractual.

Councilwoman Amy Murray closed the meeting, summing up the problem: "We agree we need more than two. We have to decide who pays." She added a long-term solution is needed.

"This weekend it is imperative we run more than two cars," Murray said.

Assistant City Manager John Juech said the city will continue to work on the problem.

SORTA Board Chairman Jason Dunn issued a statement Tuesday night pledging the agency "will continue to provide efficient and safe multimodal transit service to the community." He added the board has full confidence in Ferrell’s leadership.

Oktoberfest was moved to Second and Third streets between Walnut and Elm streets this year, after years on Fifth Street. Part of the argument to move the event was so the city wouldn't have to shutter the streetcar and it could be used to get people to the event.