Q: What is The Wave?

A: The Wave is an environmentally friendly (electric) streetcar system that will move people in and around Downtown Fort Lauderdale.

Q: What makes The Wave environmentally friendly?

The Wave is environmentally sound in many ways. The streetcar is powered by electricity, which when compared to gasoline, significantly reduces emissions and harmful air pollutants. It also provides a quiet ride, unlike the bus that operates on a noisy combustion engine. Additionally, the streetcar glides on steel wheels while the bus uses rubber tires that are not environmentally sound and is difficult to dispose of.

Q: Where will The Wave go?

A: Analysis is still being done on the final route. Each of the 4 remaining routes cover from Sistrunk at the North, 17 th Street at the South, Andrews at the West, and 3rd Avenue at the East. View the Important Decisions page to see the 4 remaining routes.

Q: Why do we need The Wave when we have the Sun Trolley?

A: The Sun Trolley provides trolley services to various areas beyond the downtown. In order to support the urban center and its growth, we need to provide permanent infrastructure.

Fixed rail streetcar systems promote an economic development benefit that rubber-wheel vehicles do not. By knowing that a route will remain the same forever, it allows investment to occur. Streetcars are more convenient, more reliable, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly than rubber wheel operations.

Q: What will happen to the Sun Trolley when The Wave is operational?

A: The Sun Trolley will serve the surrounding neighborhoods and provide connections feeding into the Wave system and help to build a regional system.

Q: When can I start riding The Wave?

A: Construction is anticipated to begin in 2010 so we hope to have it operational by 2012, which is right around the corner!

Q: How much will the Wave cost to construct and who is paying for it?

A: The total capital cost in 2010 dollars (year of expenditure dollars) is $150 million

The local share of $37.5 million is anticipated to come from a variety of contributors that will benefit from the system to include government, the hospital district, and the residential and commercial/business community.

It is important to note that historically, South Florida has been a donor State to Federal and State transit projects. Our tax dollars have been used for projects like Portland’s streetcar, Seattle’s Light Rail, and many more. We have an opportunity to see our dollars come back.

Q: How much will the Wave cost to ride?

A: Broward County passed a resolution in 2004 committing to operate the Wave for 20 years. As the owners and operators of the system, they will make the final decision regarding fares. Ultimately, a free system is what the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) will endorse, however, if that is not financially possible, options will be explored that gives the residential and commercial owners a discount given their help with funding the capital.

Q: Will the Wave have a dedicated lane in traffic or can I drive in the same lane?

A: The Wave will function just like a vehicle does. It will abide by traffic signals and the rules of the road. Vehicular traffic and the streetcar will share the same lane of traffic.

Q: How often will the Wave pick up passengers at any given stop and what time will it run?

A: The Wave will run at peak hours in the morning, afternoon, and evening. It is anticipated that initial ridership counts will help to determine necessary hours beyond those evening peak times. A person should expect to wait no longer than 7.5 minutes at any given stop. Intelligent transportation systems (ITS) will be part of the system that will display route information and real time traffic information at the stops which will tell the rider when the next vehicle should arrive (down to the second). In addition, to help maintain the 7.5 minute headways, Broward County traffic engineering will be using what is called traffic prioritization. This means as the streetcar vehicle is approaching a green light, the light will stay green 20 seconds longer so the vehicle can get through the intersection. If it arrives at a red light, it will change the light to green 20 seconds earlier. This will help not only the streetcar vehicle, it will also help move vehicular traffic as well.

Q: What are the mechanics of The Wave?

The streetcar is equipped with a pole that connects to an overhead wire called a catenary. The electricity is transmitted through the wire by substations. The streetcar is stopped by a friction braking system, where a pad or brake shoe is applied to the tread of the wheel to stop. The streetcar is operated by one person referred to as a motormen or operator. The operator responsibility includes regulating speed, control of the doors, and safe operation of the streetcar.