Analysis, Opinion

The Failure of “Me First” Transportation Planning

New BART director Nick Josefowitz has written an excellent article outlining the failures of “me first” transportation planning, using as examples ineffective freeway expansions in Orange County and the extension of the BART Fremont Line to Warm Springs, currently under construction.

See http://www.sfexaminer.com/the-failure-of-me-first-transportation-planning/.

The “Money Quote:”

…BART’s historical pattern of investment is a good example. In the past couple decades, the region has built extension after expensive extension on the edge of the system. This December, the latest of these expensive extensions will open in south Fremont near the Santa Clara county line. This new extension cost $890 million to build, and will cost over $12 million annually to operate.

This extension — and many of BART’s other end-of-line extensions — are the Bay Area version of Orange County’s failed freeway widening program. The new station in south Fremont will funnel more and more riders into an already overloaded BART system, without fundamentally increasing the capacity of the core system to accommodate them. Not only will this increase the crowding for those living in Fremont, but for all BART riders throughout the Bay Area…

News

TRAC Backgrounder No 1: U.S. Trains Too Costly To Operate

A study by consultant Civity recently published by Britain’s Office of Rail Regulation provides some insight why no profitable California train services exist, despite their popularity. It’s because U.S. costs are out of control, compared to the 17 European and British passenger operators studied. The benchmark study compared 2011 data for Irish, Belgian, French, Dutch, and Danish conventional services with a German private carrier and 11 domestic British routes. British routes operated by contractors, but most others are publicly operated…

…If you include track access [charges], European operators show a cost range from $15 to $35 per train mile with the majority of systems being close to $25 per train mile.

Most other cost elements show a vast discrepancy. The comparison with recent California results is particularly shocking. 2012 cost per train mile for the San Joaquins, Capitol Corridor, and Surfliners ranged from $65 to $85. Caltrain and ACE are over $100. Metrolink is about $70 per train mile, but is saved from worse performance by its ability to levy track access charges on other operators. Amtrak as a whole is about $100/train mile.

TRACBackgrounderOne-RailOpCostsB

Adapted from article in California Rail News, October 2014

Opinion

Connecting California: Improve San Joaquins

Here is an interesting article I came across while websurfing that reinforces TRAC’s points about improving the San Joaquins:

1.2 Million Passengers. One Single Track: California May Not Need That $68 Billion Bullet Train. But It Sure As Heck Needs More Rail Capacity.

http://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/2013/10/24/1-2-million-passengers-one-single-track/inquiries/connecting-california/

The “money quote” is:

Fun, yes, but also frustrating. Why are we still relying on single tracks owned by freight lines to move passengers on trains through the Central Valley? I’ve dumped on high-speed rail for years—for outlandish ridership projections, for its failure to attract private investment, for not starting with a connection between L.A. and San Diego—and even the idea’s backers are worried it will cost too much. But high-speed rail does provide solutions to the gaps Ben and I encountered firsthand. It would provide a proper route for rail passengers through the Tehachapis. It would provide a dedicated track for passenger rail in the Central Valley. And it would connect the state in ways that we have otherwise failed to do.

News

Significant Rail News, October 31, 2014

Marin Voice: SMART Needs San Rafael-Larkspur Trolleys
http://www.marinij.com/Opinion/ci_26810902/Marin-Voice:-SMART-train-needs-San-RafaeltoLarkspur-trolleys

From the Dark Side, We Knew It Dept: Portland Eliminates Free Parking For Disabled Placards, Frees Hundreds of Spaces
http://www.oregonlive.com/commuting/index.ssf/2014/10/downtown_portland_disabled_par.html

We Knew That Dept: The Bias In Transportation System Design
http://systemicfailure.wordpress.com/2014/10/30/the-bias-in-transportation-system-design/

Chandler, Arizona Looks At Light Rail, BRT
http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/chandler/2014/10/28/chandler-approves-second-arizona-avenue-transit-study/18062139/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin=

London, England Reveals Preferred Route For CrossRail Two
http://www.railway-technology.com/news/newsnew-crossrail-2-preferred-route-revealed-4422750

Major Downtown Sacramento Developer Thinks Streetcars Are Worth Paying Special Assessments
http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2014/10/30/downtown-developer-dave-taylor-believes-in.html

Opinion: Sprawl and Bad Transit Increase Unemployment
http://usa.streetsblog.org/2014/10/30/confirmed-sprawl-and-bad-transit-increase-unemployment/

Clayton County, GA Votes On Extending MARTA Rail And Bus Service
http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/11749466/claytons-vote-on-marta-could-reverberate-beyond-county?utm_source=MASS+NewsViews+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MASS141024003

Construction Begins For All Aboard Florida’s Downtown Fort Lauderdale Station
http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/11749476/demolition-begins-for-all-aboard-floridas-new-station?utm_source=MASS+NewsViews+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MASS141024003

BART’s Oakland Airport Connector Testing, Should Open Before Thanksgiving
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/BART-s-Oakland-Airport-Connector-on-track-for-5856835.php

CAHSRA Tries To Short Circuit Judicial Process Via Surface Transportation Board Ploy
http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/10/29/4205579_state-rail-agency-seeks-to-avoid.html?rh=1

Plans For High[er, 110 mph] Speed Rail Between Chicago and Detroit
http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2014/10/29/high-speed-rail-boost-roundtrips-detroit-chicago/18088995/

Amtrak Creates “Blue Ribbon Panel” To Solve Chicago Rail Gridlock
http://www.metro-magazine.com/news/story/2014/10/amtrak-forms-blue-ribbon-panel-to-address-chicago-rail-gridlock.aspx?utm_campaign=Rail-Transit-NEW-20141029&utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Enewsletter

Better Late Than Never Drowned Railcars Dept: New Jersey Transit Agencies Prepare For Future Hurricanes Like Sandy
http://www.metro-magazine.com/news/story/2014/10/nj-transit-agencies-preparing-for-future-sandy-like-storms.aspx?utm_campaign=Rail-Transit-NEW-20141029&utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Enewsletter

Get A Warrant? Dept: Chicago Mayor Defends Random Bag Searches At CTA Rail Stations
http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/rahm-defends-cta-searches-world-different-now/mon-10272014-335pm

Sacramento Streetcar Funding Push Underway
http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/11749062/science-center-downtown-streetcar-funding-push-is-on?utm_source=MASS+NewsViews+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MASS141023002

CA Bullet Train Barely Discussed In Governors Race
http://www.latimes.com/local/politics/la-me-campaign-train-20141028-story.html#page=1

Remaining Free Parking At Certain BART Stations Days Numbered
http://www.contracostatimes.com/News/ci_26794340/End-of-era-for-free-parking-at-BART

BART Seeks Public Comments On BART Station Improvements In San Francisco
http://www.sfexaminer.com/sanfrancisco/public-can-weigh-in-on-bart-stations-improvements-in-sf/Content?oid=2910441

Silicon Valley Business Group Wants To Improve Caltrain
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Business-Caltrain-group-vows-to-improve-commute-5849249.php

Sun Also Rises In East Dept: All Aboard Florida Company Spending Money On Political Lobbying
http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/11748590/all-aboard-florida-spends-millions-on-florida-political-process-newspaper-investigation-finds?utm_source=MASS+NewsViews+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MASS141021002

Well, Media Thinks So Dept: Bullet Train Path Looking Smoother
http://capitolweekly.net/bullet-train-path-smoother-california/

Rail And Transit Advocates Knew This Years Ago Dept: Don’t Get Your Hopes Up About Self-Driving Cars
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/10/why-you-shouldnt-get-your-hopes-up-for-the-self-driving-car-calif-high-speed-rail-no-14/381850/

Tax To Fund ACE Trains To Modesto Discussed By Politicians
http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/11748271/officials-advocate-stanislaus-transportation-tax

Chicago, IL: Flyover Aims At Cutting Metra And Amtrak Train Congestion
http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/11748273/flyover-aimed-at-cutting-rail-congestion?utm_source=MASS+NewsViews+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MASS141018002

Amtrak May Sell Real Estate and/or Development Rights In Northeast Corridor To Raise Capital Funding
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-10-23/amtrak-considers-selling-real-estate-for-development.html

What French Cities Can Teach The U.S. About Transit Design
http://www.citylab.com/commute/2014/10/what-france-can-teach-us-cities-about-transit-design/381742/

New Jersey: Will Wise Guys’ Kin Get Benefit Of Their Property?
http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/11748000/transit-agency-weighs-court-bout-vs-mobsters-kin?utm_source=MASS+NewsViews+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MASS141017003

No One Goes There Anymore Because Its Too Crowded Dept: Five New York Subway Records Set in September
http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/11747972/subway-hit-new-ridership-record-five-times-last-month?utm_source=MASS+NewsViews+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MASS141017003

FRA Releases First “Southwest Multi-State Rail Planning Study”
http://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0723

But Are You Sure They Are Willing To Pay For It Dept: Poll Says Americans Favor Public Transit Over Roads
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2014/10/more-prefer-public-transit-to-road-building/

Texas: Proposed Routes For Dallas-Houston High Speed Rail Revealed
http://www.dallasnews.com/news/transportation/20141022-proposed-routes-for-dallas-houston-high-speed-rail-revealed.ece

Silicon Valley Sprawls East, How Tech Jobs, Housing,  Transit Are Shaping A “Megaregion”
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2014/10/21/silicon-valley-sprawls-east-how-tech-jobs-housing.html?page=all

China Firm Lowballs Price On Constructing MBTA Replacement Railcars
http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/11747793/china-lowballs-mbta-bid?utm_source=MASS+NewsViews+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MASS141016002

Lack Of Park And Ride Slots Reduces Los Angeles Transit Ridership, Media Says
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-california-commute-20141021-story.html

Minnesota: How The Twin Cities Got Transit Right [North Star Excepted?]
http://money.cnn.com/interactive/technology/minneapolis-light-rail/index.html

Revamping of Sacramento Valley Station – still no fix for long distance to platforms, though
http://www.comstocksmag.com/web-only/railway-station-revamp

Important Transit Measures In 2014 Elections
http://t4america.org/2014/10/21/transportation-related-measures-were-tracking-in-the-2014-elections/

From The Dark Side Dept: Can a $5.4 Billion Tunnel Fixed The “Notorious” I-710 Gap In South Pasadena?
http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-ca-g-tunnel-for-notorious-710-gap-20141021-htmlstory.html

Business Leaders Claim Labor Pushed Proposed Railcar Factory From L.A. County
http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/11747009/business-leaders-say-labor-is-pushing-rail-car-plant-from-la-county?utm_source=MASS+NewsViews+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MASS141015002

Chicago, IL: Metra’s 30-Year Plan Could Reshape Regional Rail
http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/chicago-metra-30-year-plan-regional-rail-future

BART Makes Progress With South Fremont/San Jose Extension
http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/bart-to-san-jose-athens-metro-trams-surabaya

From The Dark Side Dept: Media Parrots Highway Lobby Alarm About “How Terrible” Congestion Is
http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/cost-of-traffic-congestion-numbers-twist-the-data-in-annual-prank

From The Dumb Side Dept: Golden Gate Bridge District Wants To Dunn Walkers, Bicyclists For Using Big Red Bridge
http://www.contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_26769191/golden-gate-bridge-renews-talk-tolls-walkers-bicyclists

Portland, OR: Five Reasons To Support The Milwaukie LRT Extension
http://transitsleuth.com/2014/10/19/portland-milwaukie-sellwood-pmlr/

New York Subway Prepares For Ebola With Random Subway Drills
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/16/andrew-cuomo-ebola-subway-drills_n_5999108.html

Columnist: No Winners In Railcar Builder Kinkisaryo’s Departure From Palmdale
http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-newton-column-palmdale-rail-cars-20141020-column.html

San Jose BART Extension Work Continues, Above And Below Ground
http://www.mercurynews.com/News/ci_26748487/South-Bay-BART-work-moving-ahead-above-and-below-ground

SMART Could Get More Railcars After 2016 Startup
http://www.marinij.com/novato/ci_26750110/smart-could-get-more-rail-cars-after-service

Freight Would Pay For It? Dept: New $250+ Billion+ High Speed Rail Plan Revealed From Moscow To Beijing
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-2796861/plans-unveiled-new-144bn-high-speed-rail-link-moscow-beijing-cut-trans-siberian-journey-time-4-hours.html

Anti-Rail Gadfly Randal O’Toole Surfaces in Virginia Beach, VA Calling LRT “Lie Rail” (sic)
http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/11738446/light-rail-or-lie-rail-foe-tears-into-tide-at-beach-talk?utm_source=MASS+NewsViews+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MASS141011002

Report Says Younger Generation Prefers Transit [And Bicycles] To Cars
http://articles.philly.com/2014-10-17/news/55112681_1_millennial-generation-public-transit-nj-transit

CHSRA Wins Round In California Supreme Court; Opponents Continue Battle In Other Venues
http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article2830687.html

Foothill Gold Line Releases New Promotional Video
http://www.masstransitmag.com/press_release/12010037/foothill-gold-line-releases-new-video?utm_source=MASS+NewsViews+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MASS141010003

Twin Cities, MN: Metro Transit’s Green Line Doubles Ridership Over Previous Bus Service
http://streets.mn/2014/10/15/lrt-beats-bus-in-the-central-corridor/

Zurich, Switzerland: World Class Transit Metropolis
http://vimeo.com/108884155

Group Says High Speed Rail Shortchanging West Fresno Residents
http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/10/14/4177416_west-fresno-group-says-more-money.html?&rh=1

Creepy Crawlies Halloween Dept: Deadly Snakes, Leopards And Landmines Can’t Stop Sri Lanka Railroad
http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/venomous-snakes-landmines-and-leopard-attacks-cant-stop-sri-lankas-railroad

Another Reason Not To Drive Dept: Woman Who Doesn’t Own Car Gets 18 Tickets From Fastrak Highway Bureaucrats
http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2014/10/13/call-kurtis-i-dont-drive-fastrak-so-stop-ticketing-me/

Podcast: Return Of Streetcars In The United States
http://wnpr.org/post/return-american-streetcar

Nothing To Worry About Peak Period Only Commuter Bus Dept: Private Bus Tries To Compete Against Toronto Streetcars; Horsecars Too
http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/private-bus-toronto-streetcar-isle-of-man-horsecar

Opinions On California’s High Speed Rail Plans
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/10/all-aboard-for-the-california-high-speed-rail-chronicles/381386/

Thought Experiments Dept: Evolution of Twin Cities’ Green Line: A “Retrospective”
http://transportationist.org/2014/10/13/the-evolution-of-the-green-line-a-retrospective/

Before The Oil Runs Out Dept: Middle East Plans $200 Billion Worth of Rail And Transit Investments
http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/11720543/200b-worth-of-rail-and-metro-projects-planned-in-middle-east?utm_source=MASS+NewsViews+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MASS141007002

I’ll See It When I Believe It Dept, Road Bureaucracy Edition: DMV Offices People Like (?!)
http://www.mercurynews.com/mr-roadshow/ci_26704233/roadshow-best-dmv-office-may-be-your-home

Caltrain Trench In Palo Alto Would Cost Over $1 Billion
http://www.mercurynews.com/peninsula/ci_26700938/study-trench-caltrain-palo-alto-could-cost-1b

Pittsburg Secures Grant For Its eBART Station
http://www.contracostatimes.com/east-county-times/ci_26698659/pittsburg-secures-2-5-million-ebart-station

Chicago, IL: Aldermen Seek O’Hare Airport Express Trains To Union Station, McCormick Place
http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/11715574/aldermen-seek-ohare-express-train-to-union-station-mccormick-place?utm_source=MASS+NewsViews+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MASS141003003

Dallas DART Looks At Rail Extensions Options To North
http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/dallas-metro-light-rail-bus

Rod Diridon Receives “Hall Of Fame” Award From American Public Transit Association
http://www.kcbd.com/story/26727636/rod-diridon-sr-to-receive-hall-of-fame-award-from-american-public-transportation-association-in-houston-on-tuesday-october-14

Are There Differences Between Motorist And Pedestrian Brains?
http://streets.mn/2014/10/08/is-there-a-physical-difference-between-the-brains-of-pedestrians-and-motorists/

Minneapolis, MN Will Pursue Streetcars and BRT For Poor, Minority Neighborhoods
http://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2014/10/minneapolis-pledges-pursue-streetcars-and-brt-way-better-serve-poor-and-mino

Tour Of The Roof Of New Anaheim Surfliner Train Terminal
http://gizmodo.com/a-tour-of-the-futuristic-roof-on-californias-new-high-s-1641494500

Amtrak Northeast Corridor Hudson River Tunnels Into New York Need Extensive Repairs
http://www.metro-magazine.com/news/story/2014/10/report-details-needed-work-to-fix-amtrak-n-y-tunnels.aspx?utm_campaign=Rail-Transit-NEW-20141008&utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Enewsletter

New Hudson Tunnels May Require Amtrak To Buy $400 Million Hotel Next To Penn Station
http://www.nj.com/traffic/index.ssf/2014/10/amtrak_has_404_million_hurdle.html

Boorish Punks Inconvenience Other Riders On New York Subways
http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/11714401/man-spread-a-widening-blight-on-public-transportation-say-riders?utm_source=MASS+NewsViews+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MASS141002002

Downtown L.A. Light Rail Subway Begins Construction
http://nextcity.org/daily/entry/la-downtown-subway-istanbul-metro-path-extension

Supporters Say Alameda County Measure BB “Last Chance” For Livermore BART Extension
http://www.contracostatimes.com/contra-costa-times/ci_26674731/city-bart-officials-call-measure-bb-last-chance

From The Doh! Homer! Dark Side Dept: Talking Cars Are Distracting To Drivers
http://www.contracostatimes.com/breaking-news/ci_26678597/talking-your-car-can-be-dangerous-studies-say

New York Will Face Transit Crisis When Hudson Tubes Undergo Repairs
http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2014/10/06/with-no-new-rail-tunnel-on-the-horizon-under-the-hudson-new-york-faces-a-looming-transport-crisis/

Hey, I Thought This Was In Tony Soprano Land Dept: Transit Board To Rehire Felon After Prison Term Up
http://wvmetronews.com/2014/10/01/centra-board-votes-to-retain-general-manager-after-prison-time-board-president-resigns/

Doh! Homer! Dept: Dan Walters – Bay Bridge Failures Cast Doubt On High Speed Rail
http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article2620092.html

Concerned About Safety, California PUC To Inspect Railroad Bridges For First Time
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article2621371.html

Poll Shows High Interest In Riding SMART By Marin And Sonoma Residents
http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/11709930/smart-poll-shows-interest-among-potential-riders-is-strong?utm_source=MASS+NewsViews+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MASS140927002

CHSRA Takes First Steps Towards Buying Rolling Stock
http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2014/10/02/high-speed-rail-authority-takes-first-step-toward.html

Zombie Trains In Time For Halloween Dept: Push For Ballard-West Seattle Monorail Line Rises From Its Grave
http://www.masstransitmag.com/news/11708914/push-for-ballard-west-seattle-monorail-line-revived?utm_source=MASS+NewsViews+Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=MASS140926003

Hard To Tell When BART Parking Lots Are Full
http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Infuriated-drivers-go-in-circles-as-BART-parking-5795134.php

Marin County: Generic SMART Station Design On The Right Track For Civic Center
http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_26643461/county-generic-smart-station-right-track-at-civic

Fort Worth, TX: TEX Rail Receives FTA “Record of Decision”
http://www.metro-magazine.com/news/story/2014/10/tex-rail-receives-fta-record-of-decision.aspx?utm_campaign=Rail-Transit-NEW-20141001&utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Enewsletter

Tucson Streetcar Ridership Continues To Exceed Projections
http://www.metro-magazine.com/news/story/2014/09/tucson-streetcar-ridership-exceeds-expectations.aspx?utm_campaign=Rail-Transit-NEW-20141001&utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Enewsletter

“My Bridge For A Bucket of Bolts” (With Apologies To Shakespeare’s Richard III) Dept: Bay Bridge Bolts Sitting In Water
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Nearly-all-Bay-Bridge-tower-rods-sitting-in-water-5792535.php

Bringing More Train Travel To California