SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA: Transit/Transportation News

[electricron]

Originally Posted by northbay

And this is the main reason why the Bay Area's system of broken up transit districts is a poor one - a lack of coordination and cooperation.

I'll agree with your assessment. But, as long as there are multiple cities and counties involved, you''re going to have multiple transportation districts.
I suppose the state could form one transportation district, forcing every city and county in the state to join. But is that really doable, considering the vast differences in the economic base statewide?

While NYC may one large transit agency, it breaks itself up into multiple agencies to provide the different independent services its citizens demand.

[northbay]

Originally Posted by electricron

I'll agree with your assessment. But, as long as there are multiple cities and counties involved, you''re going to have multiple transportation districts.
I suppose the state could form one transportation district, forcing every city and county in the state to join. But is that really doable, considering the vast differences in the economic base statewide?

While NYC may one large transit agency, it breaks itself up into multiple agencies to provide the different independent services its citizens demand.

Maybe not statewide but region-wide. I would suggest giving more power and authority to the MTC, but considering their reputation, I'm not sure that's a good idea either, especially since they kind of screw the "less populated" North Bay over.

No real perfect solution, but our current system needs improvement.

[CityKid]

In case anyone is interested in learning more about the possible ACE expansion, they have set up a website with presentation materials explaining the project.

By 2018, the goal is to expand to Modesto and increase the number of round trip trains from 4 to 6. Somewhere along the way, they'd also like to reduce the trip time from Stockton to San Jose from 2 hours and 12 minutes to an hour and 45 minutes. By 2022, they'd like to expand to Merced (where ACE would meet up with California High Speed Rail) and increase the round trip trains from 6 to 10. They anticipate (probably hope) that the trip from Merced to San Jose will take 2 hours and 35 minutes.

If this is linking up to CHSR, then it might actually have the political will to happen. After living in NY for four years, it's these type of rail expansions that make more sense to me than BART to Livermore.

[sopas ej]

From the San Francisco Chronicle:

New east span of Bay Bridge to open Sept. 3
John Wildermuth
Updated 5:46 pm, Thursday, August 15, 2013


The new section of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge was lighted on Tuesday, August 11, 2013, as members of the MTA,
Caltrans and the press took a walking tour of the new structure in San Francisco, Calif.
Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

The new east span of the Bay Bridge will open after Labor Day weekend, an oversight committee decided Thursday morning - a decision that will require the bridge to close for five days beginning Aug. 28.

Officials said the bridge would close 8 p.m. Aug. 28 and reopen at 5 a.m. Sept. 3.

"The old bridge is not safe in case of a major earthquake," said Steve Heminger, executive director of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. "Our interest is moving traffic onto the new span as quickly as possible."

The move came after federal officials gave their approval for a temporary plan to shore up the snapped high-strength steel rods that hold seismic stability structures together. A trio of independent authorities also found that the fix is more than adequate to allow traffic to move onto the new bridge while the permanent retrofit is completed, which is expected to be done by December.

"We see no reason to delay the opening of the bridge to traffic," said Vincent Mammano of the Federal Highway Administration.

Thursday's decision came after an oversight panel made up of the top executives of the Bay Area Toll Authority, Caltrans and the California Transportation Commission spent the past few months flip-flopping on a fix and an opening date for the $6.4 billion span - first saying a fix would push the opening until December before another panel came up with a quick fix now endorsed by federal officials.

[...]

Read the rest here: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Ne...to-open-Sept-3-4735622.php#photo-5040052

[fflint]

BART had its third-highest ridership yesterday:

"BART spokesman Jim Allison said the system handled a little more than 475,000 riders on Thursday, eclipsing the previous No. 3 ridership record by about 30,000 riders."

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[fflint]

According to the KPIX Channel 5 news at 6:35pm today, BART had its fourth busiest day yesterday.

Thursday: 475,015 - 3rd highest ridership ever
Friday: 457,018 - 4th highest ridership ever

[fflint]

It's been a great week for Bay Area Rapid Transit. KPIX just reported yesterday was BART's 2nd busiest Saturday ever.

Thursday: 475,015 - 3rd highest ridership ever
Friday: 457,018 - 4th highest ridership ever
Saturday: 278,858 - second highest ridership on a Saturday ever

[viewguysf]

Here's what the empty bridge and freeway approaches looked like this evening from my place.

[IMG]
One Rincon Hill's North Tower rising in front of a closed Bay Bridge by viewguysf, on Flickr[/IMG]

[OhioGuy]

^ Wow, you really do live up to your screen name!

[combusean]

MUNI is gearing up to replace all 151 of the unreliable Breda LRVs with 260 new ones from either Kawasaki, Siemens, or CAF. The first 24 cars will arrive for the T subway in 2016, the 151 replacement cars will arrive in 2021-2028, and the remaining 85 will arrive through 2040 to handle anticipated growth.

http://blog.sfgate.com/cityinsider/2013/09/17/new-ride-coming-to-muni-metro/

[viewguysf]

Originally Posted by combusean

MUNI is gearing up to replace all 151 of the unreliable Breda LRVs with 260 new ones from either Kawasaki, Siemens, or CAF. The first 24 cars will arrive for the T subway in 2016, the 151 replacement cars will arrive in 2021-2028, and the remaining 85 will arrive through 2040 to handle anticipated growth.

http://blog.sfgate.com/cityinsider/2013/09/17/new-ride-coming-to-muni-metro/

I'd say it's more than a slight overstatement to use the term "gearing up" since it's going to take 8 to 15 years to replace all of the current cars--they aren't even in first gear yet. At least the current Breda cars are way more reliable than the original Boeing Vertol LRVs. The pace of progress is obviously way too slow considering how many more residents the City will gain during this timeframe.

[fflint]

The contract will be awarded in 2014, so I suppose that's 'gearing up.'

So far, Kawasaki, Siemens, and CAF will all be allowed to bid. AnsaldoBreda failed to make the cut, but is appealing the decision. Breda manufactured Muni's current Metro fleet, and there have been a lot of problems.

[ltsmotorsport]

If Siemens were to win, would they be built in the Sacramento factory? Would be a huge win for the area.

[fflint]

Originally Posted by ltsmotorsport

If Siemens were to win, would they be built in the Sacramento factory? Would be a huge win for the area.

Well, it would stand to reason Siemens would use their Sacramento factory to build LRVs for San Francisco if it wins the bid--as long as the Sac facility is big enough to fill an order this big. They could certainly save a lot on delivery costs!

[fflint]

In the meantime, Muni is looking to reconfigure the seats in the existing Breda LRVs to increase capacity. Muni expects the reconfiguration will remove 8 seats per car, but make room for between 8 and 16 additional passengers (standing). According to streetsblog, Muni will reconfigure all seats to face sideways on at least one LRV and roll it into service as a test this coming January.


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[theskythelimit]

Originally Posted by fflint

In the meantime, Muni is looking to reconfigure the seats in the existing Breda LRVs to increase capacity. Muni expects the reconfiguration will remove 8 seats per car, but make room for between 8 and 16 additional passengers (standing). According to streetsblog, Muni will reconfigure all seats to face sideways on at least one LRV and roll it into service as a test this coming January.


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I believe if they, muni, goes for a reconfigured facing sideways seat, it will allow more space in the middle to pass people. Plus, no more squeezing out by people who do not want to rise when you want to get out from the inner seat

[fflint]

Originally Posted by theskythelimit

I believe if they, muni, goes for a reconfigured facing sideways seat, it will allow more space in the middle to pass people. Plus, no more squeezing out by people who do not want to rise when you want to get out from the inner seat

Totally--this will open up two feet of extra space not only for standing but also for getting on and off the train. Going on my experience with Boston's Red Line trains, this setup makes it infinitely easier to move around when trains are crowded.

[fflint]

The new American Community Survey estimates are out for 2012!

Percentage of work commutes that does not involve a car, van or truck:

*60% of Berkeleyans

*56% of San Franciscans

*36% of Palo Alto residents

*34% of Oaklanders

*23% of San Mateo residents

*18% of Concord residents

*17% of Hayward residents

*16% of Fremont residents

*13% of Vallejo residents

*11% of San Jose residents

*11% of Santa Rosa residents

These stats include every means to work that don't include a car, van or truck--motorcycles, taxi cabs, ferry boats, bikes, walking, etc.

[combusean]

The SFMTA is considering the construction of two subway alternatives for the M from St Francis Circle to points south.

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency officials at a community meeting Tuesday night introduced two conceptual alternatives to the original plan to reroute the M-line through the Parkmerced housing complex. Both would include a subway from south of St. Francis Circle through Stonestown Galleria, but emerge from underground at different spots farther south.

The Longer Subway and Bridge alternative would follow Font Boulevard in Parkmerced to a light-rail bridge over Junipero Serra Boulevard and continue on Randolph Street, while the Shorter Subway and Tunnel scheme would tunnel under the intersection of 19th Avenue and Junipero Serra Boulevard and continue on 19th Avenue and Randolph Street.

Officials said the changes in the Longer plan would better reach the 19th Avenue Transit Study's objectives of faster light-rail travel time and pedestrian improvements. They called it the "high-performing alternative."

Read more: http://www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/m-line-plans-get-good-response/Content?oid=2589623

[fflint]

SPUR put together this handy map showing potential expansions and upgrades under BART's "Metro Vision," including five infill stations in Oakland and two in San Francisco, station capacity expansions in downtown San Francisco and center city Oakland, and mid-route turnbacks that would allow for a more traditional "metro" service within the Bay Area's urban core. And a second transbay tube! We can dream... *le sigh*


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