[Sosfbay-discuss] Rapid Bus, BART, High-Speed Rail

[Rob Means]

I agree with Drew that the BART extension is a boondoggle.  It's a black
hole for money that is threatening many worthy Measure A transit
projects.

In addition to being 1960's technology that uses non-standard gauge
rails, BART is a corridor system in an area that sprawls.  Beefing up a
networked system like the buses makes more sense.

As an alternative, one PRT option offered by a local supporter would
blanket our area with 24/7 automated transportation for half the price
of a BART extension:
http://www.electric-bikes.com/prt/bart-prt.html

Recently, the Board of the San Jose Airport requested that VTA re-visit
plans for connecting airport terminals with BART and LRT.  VTA had
presented their $450M plan for an underground Automated People Mover
(APM) with 3 stations.  Then, a PRT guy presented a plan that included
18 stations and above-ground guideways for one-half the price.  Let's
see how VTA responds.

Rob Means, Electro Ride Bikes and Scooters
408-262-8975   rob.means at electric-bikes.com
1421 Yellowstone Ave., Milpitas, CA 95035-6913
Discover cycling that's Easy, Safe, Fast - and FUN!
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-----Original Message-----
Message: 4
Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:04:13 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Drew Johnson" <JamBoi at Greens.org>
Subject: Re: [Sosfbay-discuss] Rapid Bus, BART, High-Speed Rail
To: sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org
Message-ID: <3489.75.17.61.205.1216314253.squirrel at greens.org>
Content-Type: text/plain;charset=iso-8859-1

In a nutshell my opinion is that High Speed Rail is long overdue and
that
BART is a Halliburton-like boondoggle for Bechtel that funnels 10X the
amount that a conventional rail or even elevated rail kinda solution
would
cost us and that BART should therefore be dismantled and replaced ASAP.

Further I like the stuff that I've learned about PRT, Personal Rapid
Transit.  Rob Means can speak to this option.

Jus in general rail is inherently much, much more energy efficient than
auto/trucks/buses (anything with rubber tires on road is much less
efficient than steel wheels on tracks) could ever be, so wherever
possible
I favor rail solutions.    Hovercraft would be more efficient yet --
extremely low resistance of air against air. ;-)

As far as connecting the current BART in Fremont to the rest of Santa
Clara Co. I'd favor the already extant rail line.  It'd be great if in
addition to the ACE and Amtrak trains there were some additional
commuter
trains used to get us back and forth.  The buses between the two are
marginally okay.  They take too long and are not as frequent as I'd
like. 
Some of the express buses don't go both directions which means they are
only useful for commuters who are going in one particular direction.

Cameron has rightfully pointed out that the VTA Lightrail and buses are
set up largely to serve the largest employers in the valley -- Lockheed
Martin, IBM, Cisco and a few others -- and not to move common people
where
they need to get to.

The 'New VTA' reorg that VTA went through in the past year is mostly an
improvement IMO, but they have a long way to go for us to obtain a fully
functioning mass transit system for Santa Clara valley (AKA Silicon
Valley).

I recommend that people join the "VTA Rider's Union" and the Silicon
Valley Bic

Green is Core!

Drew

On Thu, July 17, 2008 06:45, Edward wrote:
> http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_9906067
>
> That is an article about a proposed tax for extending BART down to San
> Jose. It will generate $42 million per year, which will almost cover
> the $50 million it takes to operate the extension annually but will
> only kick in once the federal and state governments fulfill their
> promise of $1 billion to the BART extension project (so far they've
> only given half the amount).
>
> Proponents are afraid the proposition will not pass this November due
> to a $10 billion bond for high speed rail and a bad economy.
>
> What I fail to see is the problem with the $10 billion for high speed
> rail. Compared to other industrialized countries, the United States is
> about half a century behind when it comes to rail transport. $10
> billion breaks down to $10 per person per year. It is also much less
> than the $20+ billion we will need to spend on road and airport
> expansions in the next 25 years without high speed rail. If people can
> spend over $10 to watch a movie, I am sure they can afford to see one
> less movie every year to fund reducing global warming.
>
> I may be preaching to the choir, but what are your thoughts about BART
and
> high speed rail?
>
> -Edward




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Message: 5
Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2008 11:17:27 -0700
From: Gerry Gras <gerrygras at earthlink.net>
Subject: [Sosfbay-discuss] Gore on NPR NOW
To: GPSCC <sosfbay-discuss at cagreens.org>
Message-ID: <487F8CB7.2020706 at earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed


Gore is on "Talk of the Nation"..

pushing for complete switch of the electric gird to
non fossil fules in 10 years.

Gerry



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End of sosfbay-discuss Digest, Vol 35, Issue 25
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