After years of debate and discussion over the concept of light rail for Cincinnati, those on both sides of the issue now have something life-sized to argue about.

A mockup of a light-rail car stands on display at the Cincinnati Museum Center on Thursday. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

Beginning today, Metro will be displaying a prototype mock-up display of a light rail train outside the Museum Center at Union Terminal. The exhibit is to last through Oct. 14.

The Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority, which oversees Hamilton County's bus service, is proposing a $2.6 billion light rail system for the county. The agency is asking voters to approve a half-cent sales tax increase on the Nov. 5 ballot to cover the local costs for the project, which would also include $100 million to improve and expand the current bus system.

Officials with Metro, which is co-sponsoring the display with the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky, say the display is not a campaign event.

“This is an educational opportunity,” said Metro spokeswoman Sallie Hilvers, who said that the agency had asked officials with the pro-light rail political campaign “Let's Get Moving” to refrain from passing out any literature or soliciting voters at the site.

“We want everyone, even those who may not favor light rail, to see the vehicle, and come out and ask questions about it. This should serve as neutral ground.”

Stephan Louis, chairman of the anti-light rail campaign Alternatives to Light Rail Transit, said the display is “just another way to get voters to say yes to Issue 7.”

REAL ON THE RAIL

Here are the specifications for the light rail vehicle to be used in Minneapolis (the one on display at the Museum Center is the same width, but only about half the length): Length: 94 feet. Width: 8 feet, 9 inches. Weight (empty): 105,000 pounds. Maximum service speed: 55 mph. Normal service speed: 35 mph. Seated passengers per car: 66. Standing passengers: 180. Manufactured by: Bombardier Transportation North America. Cost: Between $2.4 million and $3.3 million.

“This is one more opportunity to sell this to the public,” said Mr. Louis, a Pleasant Ridge medical supplies salesman.

The display of about half a train is owned by Metro Transit, the Minneapolis-St. Paul area's mass transit agency, which is the process of building its own $675 million light rail system. It is scheduled to open in April 2004. That agency is headed by Michael Setzer, who was the general manager for Metro locally between 1987 and 1994.

The train's manufacturer, Montreal-based Bombardier Transportation North America, is paying the shipping costs for the display, which were not disclosed.

According to both Mr. Setzer, who maintains a home in Anderson Township, and Metro officials, the cooperation wouldn't necessarily end with the lending of a display model. Federal law allows one city to “piggy-back” on another's order for transit vehicles, which could lead to a lower cost for both cities.

Any increase in volume and standardization between orders would indeed lower the cost of such vehicles, said Manuel Olea, manager of sales and business development for Bombardier, while setting up the model Thursday.

“What you want to do as any manufacturer is to have a standard product, and so the most important thing is quantity,” Mr. Olea said. “That way, we don't have to retool the plants and things like that.”

According to Mr. Setzer, the Minnesota agency is paying between $2.4 million and $3.3 million per transit setup, which is made up of two powered cars and a 7-foot section in the middle to help the vehicle handle turns. Most of the manufacturing is done at Bombardier's plant in Sahagun, Mexico, with final assembly done in Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Bombardier, which also has an aircraft division that makes the planes that local airline Comair uses, leads the world market in transportation vehicles, having installed light-rail trains in at least 35 cities worldwide.

The company also made the Acela train used by Amtrak on the East Coast, as well as people movers such as moving sidewalks and monorails.

E-mail jpilcher@enquirer.com

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