SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA: Transit/Transportation News

[ardecila]

Completed in 48 months?? That's pretty awesome - significantly better than the Silver Line project in DC, which is pretty comparable in length, design, and complexity.

[CyberEric]

Thanks for the numbers FFlint. It's funny, I haven't noticed the N Judah being less crowded on my evening commute since the Nx started, but I suppose it must help. Happy to hear about the increase on the F line.

Good news about BART too!

[202_Cyclist]

BART: Moving Toward a Brighter Future
New projects, policies and vehicles are giving the community a lot of things to look forward to.

by Leah Harnack
November 2011
Mass Transit


MacArthur Station is a major BART transfer point near the commercial heart of Temescal, one of north Oakland's oldest neighborhoods. (Image courtesy of Mass Transit magazine)

"Oscar Grant, Young Father and Peacemaker, Executed by BART Police"

"Johannes Mehserle, White Cop Who Shot Unarmed Black Man Oscar Grant Gets Two Years in Prison"

"Justice for Charles Hill BART Action Shuts Three Stations in San Francisco"

"BART Board Asks Dorothy Dugger to Resign"

"BART Cellphone Blocking Raises Uproar"

"Anonymous Hackers Attack BART"

Those are just a few of the headlines the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) has been facing over the past few years. And while the media coverage has us so focused on these topics, there are many other positive things that have been happening at BART.

Two weeks after she started, I sat down with BART's new general manager, Grace Crunican, to learn what they are working on, how they are moving forward and also, why she came to BART..."

http://www.masstransitmag.com/articl...righter-future

[dimondpark]

Originally Posted by fflint

Bay Area transit agencies gained riders through the third quarter of 2011, according to APTA's new report (pdf)

Muni: 731,800
BART: 381,100
AC Transit: 210,000*
VTA: 140,000
Samtrans: **
Caltrain: 44,900
Central Contra Costa: 11,900
Eastern Contra Costa: 9,200
Golden Gate Transit: 8,800**
Livermore/Amador Valley: 6,200
Capitol Corridor: 5,700
San Joaquins: 3,000

*Estimated total daily ridership via total reported quarterly boardings
**No data reported. 68,410 people rode Samtrans daily in 2010, according to Wikipedia.
***Estimated total daily ridership via combined total daily boardings as reported by mode (ferry boats, motor buses)

Some numbers I compiled for a blazing hot debate at C-D a while back, they look similar to your list.

Bay Area Public Transit Daily Ridership: 1,698,500
MUNI 686,000
BART 370,000
AC Transit 236,000
Santa Clara VTA 135,000
SamTrans 68,000
CalTrain 41,000
Tri Delta Transit 30,000
Golden Gate Transit 21,000
East Contra Costa Transit 18,000
Central Contra Costa Transit 12,800
County Connection 11,000
Santa Rosa City Bus 10,000
Vallejo Transit 10,000
WestCAT 9,000
Livermore/Amador Valley Transit 8,000
Sonoma Transit 6,000
Ace Commuter Express 5,000
Golden Gate Ferry 5,000
Capitol Corridor 5,000
Fairfield/Suisun Transit 3,000
Alameda/Harbor Bay Ferry 2,000
Vallejo/Baylink Ferry 1,500
Alameda/Oakland Ferry 1,500
Dumbarton Express 1,000
Vacaville City Coach 1,000
Union City Transit 1,000
Petaluma Transit 600
Rio Vista Delta Breeze 100

There are other agencies Im sure, but I stopped looking.

[fflint]

APTA indicates a decline in ridership on AC Transit, in addition to anecdotal evidence--might this be a result of the Transbay Terminal demo? The temporary transit facility is relatively nice, but for those working north of Market it's pretty far away. Far enough to warrant another look at BART, which has indeed gained riders while AC Transit has lost them.

[fflint]

More on the Nx Judah:


SFMTA in no rush to add new express bus routes in San Francisco
Will Reisman
2/08/11 8:43 PM
Examiner Staff Writer
http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/2011...#ixzz1g5vO0xup


Mike Koozmin/The SF Examiner
Easier commute: The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency says the NX-Judah Express has helped speed up service on the crowded N-Judah line.

While the NX-Judah Express has become a permanent fixture for Muni, the agency is hesitant about adding more complementary bus lines to its transit system.

Since June, NX buses have shuttled crowds of commuters between the Outer Sunset and the Financial District. The agency has hailed the express bus line as a success, claiming it helps speed up the N-Judah, opens up more seats for commuters and prevents pass-ups — where passengers are left stranded because there is no more room left on the train.

Originally touted as just a pilot program, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s board of directors approved a measure on Tuesday to make the line permanent.

The agency has said in the past that it could consider expanding its supplemental bus service to more light-rail lines — the T-Third and the L-Taraval have been specifically cited — but for now those plans are on hold, according to SFMTA spokesman Paul Rose.

“While there are no immediate plans for additional express lines, we will continue to work with the board to develop creative ways to improve service,” Rose said.

Combined, Muni’s six light-rail lines log more than 150,000 daily boardings, accounting for more than 20 percent of the agency’s total ridership. Tom Nolan, the SFMTA’s board chairman, said supplemental bus service could be a good approach to ease the burden on those busy lines.
....
Ticket to ride

45,252 Weekday boardings on the N-Judah

7,000 Weekday boardings on the NX-Judah Express

$1.8 million Annual cost of running NX service

35 minutes Average completion time of NX route

Source: SFMTA

[Leo the Dog]

Originally Posted by CyberEric

I have never been to another city where cars stop for people like they do in San Francisco, it shocked me when I moved here.

Boston is probably equivalent to SF. The people there don't even look they just walk out in the street (especially the old-timers). Seems like they almost dare cars to hit them.

[CyberEric]

Originally Posted by Leo the Dog

Boston is probably equivalent to SF. The people there don't even look they just walk out in the street (especially the old-timers). Seems like they almost dare cars to hit them.

Interesting, I have never noticed that in Boston. Yeah, people here don't even look for cars sometimes, it scared me at first, now I do it too.

[San Frangelino]

This comes from http://sf.streetsblog.org/

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Engineers Unveil Designs for Bike/Ped Path on Bay Bridge West Span
by Aaron Bialick

The long-sought addition of bicycle and pedestrian access across the length of the San Francisco Bay Bridge is one step closer to fruition. Last night, engineers presented the first design proposals for a pathway for bicyclists, pedestrians and maintenance crews to the west span, but they say the funding and technical challenges that lie ahead mean the project is still in its infancy.

For more than 15 years, bicycle advocates in San Francisco and the East Bay have pushed for a west span path to connect bike commuters to the east span path expected to open between Oakland to Yerba Buena Island by 2014.

Continue Reading.....

[northbay]

looks good - such a needed link. also looks like its floating in mid-air

[CyberEric]

I really really hope they build that. It sounds like it might hit some snags though as the extra weight would apparently somehow make it harder for ships to pass underneath. Fingers crossed!

[ElDuderino]

SMART sells $191 million in bonds to fund construction
Funds to create 900 jobs in 2012
By Eric Gneckow, Business Journal Staff Reporter

Sonoma Marin Area Rail TransitSAN RAFAEL — Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit today announced the sale of $191 million in multimodal rate bonds to fund construction of a train linking Marin and Sonoma counties.

The bond sale will result in $171 million in revenue for SMART, which the agency said will go towards construction of the rail line, bridges, crossings and stations, as well as the purchase of trains.

“The financing will be used to create 900 jobs in the new year,” said SMART Vice Chairman Judy Arnold.

The proceeds of the bonds will be put in an escrow account while the group RepealSMART works to collect signatures to repeal Measure Q, a quarter-cent sales tax measure voters in Sonoma and Marin counties approved to help fund SMART in 2008.

RepealSMART supporters contend that voters should have a second chance to vote on the measure after economic pressure forced SMART to make significant changes to its plan to construct a commuter rail line between Cloverdale in Sonoma County and Larkspur in Marin County. With reduced sales tax income, SMART plans to build an initial segment between Santa Rosa and San Rafael in 2015–16, with the remaining portions completed when funding becomes available.

If RepealSMART can’t collect enough signatures by the end of January, those bonds will be converted to a fixed interest rate, with the proceeds going to fund construction.

http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.c...-construction/

[202_Cyclist]

BART planners begin work on new vision for future


Michael Cabanatuan
San Francisco Chronicle
Monday, December 26, 2011

"Way back in 1957, Bay Area planners were thinking big. Concerned about the booming population and worsening traffic congestion, they proposed a round-the-bay rapid transit network that eventually spawned today's BART.


Image courtesy of the San Francisco Chronicle

Now, 54 years and 4 million people later, it's BART's turn to think big. Planners are working on a new vision for the future - one that could include express trains, all-night service, new stations along existing lines, trains traveling different routes and extensions to Livermore, Ocean Beach, Brentwood and Crockett.

"Over the past few years, we've just been trying to keep our heads above water," said Carter Mau, BART's executive manager of budget and planning. "Now that we've recovered a bit, it's time to start looking at our future..."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...&feed=rss.news

[San Frangelino]

Bart to Ocean Beach! Did I read that correctly? Could it be true?

[tech12]

Originally Posted by San Frangelino

Bart to Ocean Beach! Did I read that correctly? Could it be true?

I really hope it actually happens (maybe followed by another line down 19th avenue, meeting up with it). Bart to Ocean Beach is something SF urban/transit nerds have been dreaming about for decades.

I wonder if Geary is the only option for getting to Ocean Beach? It would be the obvious/best choice I think, being the densest western SF hood with the largest main commercial strip, and the single busiest bus line in the city...but building the new BART line under the existing Muni tunnel beneath twin peaks, and then into the Sunset district along Taraval, or maybe having it further north, along Judah or Lincoln, sounds OK too. If it's on Judah they could have a BART stop at UCSF, which would be extra useful for many people, but Geary is still the best choice. Now if only the NIMBYs stay out of the way.

I'm curious though as to whether Muni will ever build more subways after the Chinatown extension...I know Geary is also a possibility for that if more is ever built, but if BART is going down Geary too, would Muni really consider it as necessary? I'm thinking maybe not, especially if the Geary bus rapid transit is in place by that point. IMO they should at least extend the new Chinatown line to North beach/Fisherman's Wharf, and than loop it around to Van Ness, and back down to Market, maybe even down Mission street to Daly City. Imagine that combined with the new BART lines.

Ahh, transit fantasies. At least some of it looks closer to reality now.

edit: also, it's about time for that Bay Bridge walkway. Finally we'll get a pedestrian/bike connection between SF and Oakland. I'm thinking the only ships potentially in trouble by the increased weight would be those ones that carry gigantic new cranes to the port of Oakland every now and then. Some of those are so tall that they clear the bottom of the bridge by just a few feet...but it sounds like they can fix that problem of increased weight anyways.

[ElDuderino]

Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District announces plans for additional stations

By DEREK MOORE
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 12:45 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 12:45 p.m.

The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District on Thursday revealed that the initial 37-mile route will extend to a station on Guerneville Road in Santa Rosa, an addition of 1.5 miles that officials said will boost ridership significantly.

“The Guerneville station offers the highest amount of ridership, so it was important that we made it there,” Sonoma County Supervisor and SMART board member Shirlee Zane said. A station also will be added in Novato.

District officials said they will seek board approval for a $103 million construction contract to build the first phase of the rail project. If that happens on Monday, construction could begin immediately.

“Prepare to see shovels,” Zane said.

The project will move forward despite ongoing efforts by rail opponents to repeal the quarter-percent sales tax that funds SMART.

Farhad Mansourian, SMART's general manager, said Thursday that opponents will need 39,000 signatures to qualify for the ballot.

But RepealSMART believes that only 15,000 signatures are necessary, citing the threshold set by Proposition 218, a measure passed by voters in 1996 that required two-thirds votes on most tax measures and set up an initiative process to repeal existing taxes.

Two other state election laws, however, have formulas that would set the thresholds at 30,000 or 39,000 signatures.

Opponents have until Jan. 27 to submit petitions to the registrars of voters in Sonoma and Marin counties for verification before they are delivered to SMART.

SMART's board then would decide whether to accept the signatures and call for an election, which most likely would be in November. A simple majority yes vote would be necessary to overturn the tax.

District officials hope to award the construction contract for the initial phase of the rail project to Alameda-based Stacey and Witbeck Inc. and Missouri-based railroad specialist Herzog Contracting Corp.

Mansourian said the project will be funded by state, local and federal funds, and not from $191 million in construction bonds that the district sold on Dec. 20. He said that money was put in an escrow account pending the outcome of the repeal effort, which he predicted would fail.

“We're not here to stop. We're here to go forward,” he said.

Zane said the addition of a Guerneville Road station near will boost ridership above 80 percent of expected ridership for a full system, which calls for a 70 mile-route from Cloverdale to Larkspur.

The agency estimates on its web site that 5,300 people would use the train on a daily basis. But officials on Thursday said those numbers are outdated and that they expect ridership will be higher.

The Guerneville station will be near Coddingtown Mall and high-density housing. SMART is negotiating with regional bus service providers to connect passengers who live in Windsor and Cloverdale.

The other Santa Rosa station is planned for Railroad Square in the city's downtown.

Officials also announced Thursday that the initial phase also will include a station on Atherton Avenue in Novato.

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article...a-Rosa-station

[northbay]

Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit Board of Directors OK $103.3 million construction contract


Model of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit diesel multiple unit train by Sumitomo Corporation of America and Nippon Sharyo, Ltd.

PD FILE, 2011
By DEREK MOORE
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Published: Monday, January 9, 2012 at 2:55 p.m.
Last Modified: Monday, January 9, 2012 at 2:55 p.m.

Work on a commuter rail system through Sonoma and Marin counties will begin Tuesday, nearly four years after voters approved a ballot measure to help fund the project and despite current efforts to derail it.

The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit Board of Directors Monday voted unanimously to approve a $103.3 million contract with Alameda-based Stacy and Witbeck Inc. and Herzog Contracting Corp. to build the first phase of the rail project.

George Furnanz, chief operating officer of Stacy and Witbeck, said... crews on Tuesday will begin laying out the work to be completed, putting up fencing around wetland areas and ordering materials. About a dozen subcontractors who attended Monday's meeting in Santa Rosa were greeted with applause after Furnanz asked them to stand.

...

Board members also were effusive in their praise of SMART General Manager Farhad Mansourian, who they credited with striking the deal to get the project rolling after only five months at the helm.

The contract encompasses 38.5 miles of track from Santa Rosa to the Marin Civic Center, and will include two stations that were not originally planned for the initial phase: one at Guerneville Road in Santa Rosa, and another at Atherton Avenue in northern Novato.

“We are just so delighted at the turn of events that has allowed for a Guerneville Road station,” Santa Rosa City Manager Kathleen Millison told the board Monday.

The SMART board also approved a study of the relocation of the proposed Rohnert Park station from Roberts Lake Road to Rohnert Park Expressway. The Rohnert Park City Council in April recommended the move and promised $35,000 to reimburse SMART for the environmental review.

Plans to award a second contract for the rail line between the Marin Civic Center and downtown San Rafael are on hold pending an effort to repeal Measure Q, a quarter-cent sales tax voters in Sonoma and Marin counties approved in 2008 to help fund SMART.

RepealSMART has been gathering signatures in an attempt to qualify the ballot measure by the Jan. 27 deadline.

But how many signatures are needed and the wording of the petitions are contested issues that may have to be resolved in court. In the meantime, both sides are attempting to influence public opinion, with SMART officials accusing repeal advocates of wanting to kill jobs, and critics accusing rail officials of spending money unwisely.

...

The rail district has placed the $171 million in proceeds from the Dec. 20 sale of construction bonds into an escrow account pending the outcome of the repeal effort.

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article...ction-contract

[fflint]

I like the look of the new trainsets!

[San Frangelino]

Video renderings of the new Central Subway Stations via http://centralsubwaysf.com/

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Rxrd...layer_embedded" target="_blank">Video Link

[San Frangelino]

Thanks for posting that NorthBay. I haven't really kept up with SMART. Am I right in thinking it's going to be similar to E-BART?