Attraction
Attraction
All Aboard! by Susan Campbell Hop on Aruba’s new fun, free, and eco-friendly way to explore recently rejuvenated downtown Oranjestad.
These past years have seen a multitude of infrastructure and attraction improvements island-wide, but especially in Aruba’s capital of Oranjestad. New roads, sidewalks, green spaces, malls, courtyards, outdoor art installations, fountains, and more have all been part of a major refurbishment plan to breathe new life into this important historic port city. And now that everything’s in place, there’s a brand new way to explore it all: streetcars! A unique mode of transport
Aruba will usher in this new year, not only with a bang, but also with a resounding clang as all four electric trolleys will hit the rails by mid 2014. Thanks to help from the Dutch tramrail company HTM, the American rail consultant SSE, the
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American Planners Association, the “infra team” of Aruba’s ministry of infrastructure and Carlos Profet from Inarch – the coordinating architect for the Mainstreet project, this innovative addition to the downtown scene is already now a reality with two streetcars up and running. And call them trolleys, trams, or streetcars; everyone is now welcome to enjoy this cool, new mode of transportation, free of charge! The streetcars will be emerald green, navy blue, bright orange, and fire-engine red. Though not planned that way, it’s a happy coincidence that these colors reflect the Aruba Tourism Association’s logo, and the orange is a tip of the hat to the Dutch Royal House of Oranje, the city’s namesake.
Photos by Luis Mejia
Photo by
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Attraction Aruba’s Prime Minister Mike Eman says, “The new streetcars are the ideal way to showcase the new and improved Oranjestad. They have such nostalgic leanings that work in perfect harmony with the city’s colorful heritage neighborhoods. At the same time, their groundbreaking eco-friendly mode of operation reflects our commitment to develop the tourism product in the most sustainable manner possible. But also important is that infrastructure projects such as this one contribute to the improved quality of life for our local citizens. The streetcars bring business to parts of downtown that were often overlooked in the past uncovering areas for new economic development. These projects are part of a larger vision to create a better Aruba for visitors and residents alike.”
Attraction On track to a greener future
The streetcars are powered by rechargeable batteries that charge from energy that comes from electricity powered by Aruba’s constant trade winds. O.B. Sevinger, Minister of Infrastructure Integration and Environment, says, “This island is deeply committed to becoming carbon free by the year 2020, and this new operation is one more example of how it can be possible.” The streetcars were specially designed for Aruba by Los Angeles based TIG/m, which won the international bid to produce these units. The single level cars have a capacity of 42 people each, and the double decker can host up to 64 riders. And they are also specially equipped to accommodate wheelchairs, and unlike typical streetcars, these trams do not require any unsightly overhead wires.
Rolling on, the tram stops at Plaza Chipi Chipi, the city’s interior shopping district where brand new designer emporiums have joined well-established family shops to line both sides of the street. Then the streetcar takes a scenic tour past many beautifully restored heritage sites and on to the newly restored Water Tower (Watertoren). Plaza Niky is the place where it loops and that stop will soon have new attractions, dining, and entertainment. Circling back, it stops at Plaza Daniel Leo where you can visit Renaissance Mall and the Renaissance Marketplace for upscale shopping, modern cinemas, great dining,
hip cafes, and glitzy casinos. And the final stop before heading back to bustling Plaza Paardenbaai is at the striking cotton candy-colored Royal Plaza Mall full of artisanal boutiques. Infra Adviesgroep architect Raffy Kock says, “It was a long road from blueprint to reality, but it was such a thrill to see the first trolley finally roll down the tracks. And the people’s faces when they are riding it are testament to what a wonderful addition to the downtown experience it has become.” So hop on board to discover Aruba’s new Oranjestad delights... without tiring your tootsies!
Hop on, hop off... and hop on again!
The streetcars move slowly so that riders can clearly see what they are passing should they want to hop off and inspect anything further. The entire loop is almost a mile and a half of track which begins at the cruise terminal. The first stop is Plaza Paardenbaai where the grand open-air souvenir and craft market will be located, but you can board anywhere along the route. The next stop is Rancho Plaza which conveniently connects to the Arubus public transit terminal allowing cruise visitors to get off and take a short bus trip to the island’s best beaches, or those coming downtown from the resorts by bus to get on board. Then it moves on to Museum Plaza that gives easy access to the modern new National Archaeological Museum, Aruba. Built in the early 1900s, this stunning building is worth a stop simply to take a few snapshots. 70 Nights
All photos by Luis Mejia
The streetcar will operate Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with intermissions from noon to 1 p.m. daily. At press time it was running every 20 minutes, but when the new streetcars are delivered that will change to every 12 minutes.
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