New Orleans Streetcars Are Running Again

Streetcars have started rolling again for the first time since Hurricane Katrina halted the St. Charles Avenue line, nearly two years ago. As of now, only half the line is open, however, many people see this as a sign of the city's recovery.

Officials hope to restore the entire line by spring 2008, as of now, only 6 of the 13 miles are open and working. The progress has been slow due to the conditions of the city as well as upgrades that were never preformed in 2005 before Katrina hit the area. The cost to restore and maintain the St. Charles Ave. line was another factor. Mark Major, general manager of the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority, was very grateful for the $14 million they received from federal highway officials in order to restore the line to it's original condition.

''It's like having another piece of the puzzle, another piece of the city'' back, said Melisa Rey, who rode on the first of a string of cars with her husband, Tom, and 10-month-old daughter, Jeanne-Marie. ''It's so nice to finally have some good publicity,'' Tom Rey added.

On Saturday when the St. Charles Ave. was opened to the public, the town celebrated. A marching band preformed down the streets, leading the streetcars while observers held signs that said, "No More Bus" and "Welcome Back!"

Councilwoman Stacy Head called the streetcars part of the city's identity _ ''everything from the noise, the clanging down the avenue to the lights at night.''

The St. Charles line adds a lot of history and identity to New Orleans, the line was the oldest continuously operating line in the world before Katrina hit, beginning operation in September of 1835.

''It's what makes New Orleans feel like home,'' she said. ''It's as important as red beans and rice and Mardi Gras, and it's hard to explain to people who aren't part of this city how important this is as an icon and a real-life form of transportation.''