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Portland Streetcar Is A Pretty Young Thing With A High Pitched Squeal

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The difference between Portland and Seattle can be summed up in their respective streetcars.

In Seattle you ride the SLUT, while in Portland you board a shiny, new, beautiful, clean streetcar.

Portland Streetcar started in 2001, running from the Portland State University campus, north through the Pearl District, out to NW 23rd, then back to PSU. In 2005 the southern end of the street car line was extended down past RiverPlace to the South Waterfront, which also serves the Oregon Health & Science University.

As for fares, allegedly, the streetcar is $1.75 for a two zone ride, however, almost all of the downtown stops are in what is called "Fareless Square", so paying for a Portland Streetcar ride is increasingly rare.

However, just because Portland Streetcar is beautiful and mostly free doesn't mean she won't cost you. The line has also been dubbed "The Screechcar" because of its high-pitched electric motor hum and nasal female voice used in sponsored stop announcements such as, "SW Moody at Gaines sponsored by Residence Inn by Marriott". Don't worry though, Portland Streetcar doesn't sport a Brooklyn accent.

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