Comments on: Dumbarton Rail money could go toward Warm Springs BART extension

By: Walter, Livermore

Walter, Livermore — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 04:39:40 +0000

The big push is to get BART to San Jose! I sure would like to see BART services extended to Livermore before that happens though. The tax-payers deserve it and the I-580 commuters need it.

In Livermore, at the foot of the Altamont there is plenty of room for parking. Commuters from the Central Valley would park and ride increasing the daily ridership beyond expectations.

LPC would also benefit greatly from a BART extension to Livermore. Not to mention, the Airport, the labs, Ace Train commuters and Livermore residents.

By: Kevin Standlee

Kevin Standlee — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 16:56:48 +0000

Coyote Bill:

Not commuter friendly? Good grief, what do you mean by that? I’d ride it every day if it was there — catch a train from Fremont/Centerville, ride it to San Mateo, and a (short) bus shuttle to my office in the San Mateo hills.

By: Coyote Bill

Coyote Bill — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 15:51:28 +0000

The Dumbarton Express Train Route, sorry I did not make myself clear.
Check the train route, it is not commuter friendly.

By: Kevin Standlee

Kevin Standlee — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 08:09:42 +0000

Coyote Bill: Do you mean the existing Dumbarton Express bus service (misnamed IMO) between Union City and Palo Alto, or the proposed Dumbarton Rail service, which would run trains between Union City and Fremont over to the Peninsula, where some would turn south along the existing Caltrain line toward San Jose and others would turn north toward San Francisco.

The existing bus isn’t much good, especially as it’s obliged to wander around making local stops near its end points and doesn’t connect that well to rail services (too much waiting around), but a viable rail connection between UC-Fremont and points along the Peninsula would be a great thing.

By: Coyote Bill

Coyote Bill — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 21:04:47 +0000

This makes to much sense!
Has anyone checked the route of the Dumbarton Express. It is not very handy, for commuters, once you get across the bay.

By: Kevin Standlee

Kevin Standlee — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:53:25 +0000

The only reason I voted for RM 2 — voting to tax myself $1/crossing, as I’m a bridge commuter — was because of the Dumbarton Rail project. That project has a much better cost/new rider figure than BART boondoggles.

It astounds me just how anti-conventional-rail so many people are, but they foam at the mouth over BART.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:11:25 +0000

I can tell you there are a lot of Niles folks that are really happy to hear this!!!!

By: Gus Morrison

Gus Morrison — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 01:54:46 +0000

The bridge toll measure was about one thing, the ferry system project. Because the ferry system did not serve anyone south of the San Mateo/Hayward bridge, they had to add things to garner votes from us, including WS BART and Dumbarton Rail. Dumbarton Rail is an idea which has never been adequately studied and evaluated. The capital costs are much higher than anyone ever thought and they still have not found a source of operating funds to supplement the fare box recovery. I am surprised it took this long for MTC to take notice.

By: Joe K.

Joe K. — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 22:28:19 +0000

This is a big disappointment. Correct me, but the Dumbarton Rail project was one of the selling points of a $1 bridge toll increase in 2004/05. In essence, it was a diversion and a smoke screen to infuse money into BART projects. The voters were hoodwinked, again. I support the BART extension, but I don’t expect bridge commuters to pay for it. The loophole of “fee” branded taxes is borderline criminal in my opinion.