Train Riders Association of California

College town in New York state wants its trains back after half a century since they were killed

Yet another study delivered on upgrading the Altamont Corridor

California state budget includes funding for stabilizing Del Mar Bluffs

Caltrain planning to operate more late-night trains for special events

The rapid rise of Spain’s high speed trains; may take over some French services

BART looks the other way with panhandlers

When will California high-speed rail begin service to the Bay Area?

BART chief says only 5% of riders cheat on fares, not 15% as claimed by grand jury

Why BART ridership has declined despite booming economy

BART’s new “guillotine” fare gates getting attacked on social media

Why BART doesn’t have 24-hour service, and other questions

What happened to California’s high-speed rail project? A rundown

Turning around San Francisco’s Muni Metro subways

Americans must drive due to auto-oriented land use, but also by law

High-speed rail could run at ground level with grade crossings on Bay Area entry

BART’s new fare gates inspire gallows humor

From the Dark Side(tm): Americans shouldn’t have to drive, but The Law insists on it

SMART installs safety upgrades at deadly Rohnert Park pedestrian crossing

BART puts up signs limiting bathroom usage to 10 minutes, in effort to fight junkies

Virgin Trains (formerly Brightline) considers adding 3 more stations between Miami, Ft. Lauderdale in Florida

U.S. Navy will consider redevelopment of surplus base property as “Grand Central Station ” for San Diego

Foothill Gold Line moves forward with new plan for NOT widening White Avenue in La Verne

BART plans to stop selling paper tickets by the end of 2019

BART to receive $300 million to begin project to expand Transbay Tube capacity

Little annoyances on BART that passengers can do something about

New light rail system opens in Waterloo, Ontario (Canada)

State of California approves inspector general to ride herd on BART

How BART “sweeps” trains to ensure no homeless people camp overnight in the yard

Violent crime on BART doubles in four years due to lack of police, presence on trains, fare evaders

From the Dark Side: Late 40’s plan to destroy the Bay and Bay Area with giant dikes, dams and freeways

Only one BART fare evader has paid fines, out of 6,000+ tickets

S.F. Muni fixes safety issues on new light rail cars

San Francisco appoints task force to review Muni service, make improvement recommendation

If your dog rides transit, he/she may need a Clipper Card (like a kid)
(Cats have to stay in their boxes!)

As BART fare evaders run amok, critics on social media pounce

LA Metro approves Union Station run-through tracks without overhead concourse

Grand Jury reports says Santa Clara County VTA is most expensive, lease efficient transit system in the U.S.

Bay Area transit managers consider their bureaucratic interests rather than the public, “punt” on fare integration

Salesforce Transit Center in San Francisco reopens–at first without buses

Silicon Valley “powers that be” still want Airport connection, despite failure of “personal rapid transit”

 

California Rail-Related News Items from September 1st to September 7th

Canadian national government to kick in $1.37 billion ($Can) for Broadway subway and light rail in Vancouver, B.C.

Solano County planners proposing changes to zoning around the new Fairfield-Vacaville train station

San Francisco Muni launches “90-day plan” to speed up bus and light rail service

New York City Mayor DeBlasio reopens campaign for his proposed Brooklyn-Queens streetcar

Opinion: The “truth” about DeBlasio’s proposed Brooklyn-Queens streetcar

Florida’s Brightline intercity rail might add 1 or 2 “Treasure Coast” stations, e.g., where opposition is strongest

Hey, Free Transit Welfare (sic) for Seniors in Greater Philly – but you gotta live there ;-0

Interactive maps show where streetcars used to run in Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco

Trains go really slow in and out of San Jose Caltrain/Amtrak station

California approves $2 billion for infrastructure, rail projects

1896 streetcar to run at S.F. Muni Heritage Weekend

Roadshow: More ways to lower Caltrain ticket costs

Some Phoenix, AZ politicians want to divert voter-approved taxes from light rail expansion to roads, characterized as “4 lanes to 2 lanes” by press

And the Sun Rises in East Dept.: [S.F.] Muni better than it used to be, but not as good as it should be

From the Dark Side Dept.: Southern Californians buying fewer cars (!)

LA Times Opinion: Feds, e.g., Trump, needs to stop blocking “Subway to the Sea” funding

This has absolutely nothing to do with transit and rail, but it’s cute! Have good Labor Day weekend!

Replacing BART turnstiles may cost up to $200 million

When will San Francisco truly be “transit first?”

BART starting to much more closely monitor activity at Civic Center station

http://www.sonomanews.com/news/8653555-181/north-bays-smart-train-turns

Railcar manufacturing partnerships may be in L.A. Metro’s future

S.F. Muni chief vows to reduce Muni bus and rail delays within 90 days

California high-speed rail costs escalating at $3.1 million per day

JR West railway in Japan incentivizes safety employees by making them sit next to 185 mph trains

Passengers on BART help nab suspect in stabbing of another homeless man

S.F. Muni reopens after 2-month closure, to relief of displaced passengers

BART gets more security funding after stabbings

Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Francisco county residents willing to pay sales tax for major Caltrain upgrades

New Yorkers driving into Manhattan bristling at proposed for congestion pricing

Going To The Dogs Dept: NY subway workers finds lost puppy at 3rd Avenue line station

Crossing gate software keeps screwing up, requiring flaggers at Denver commuter rail crossings

Memphis, TN Music City Star gets new station

State Legislature sends BART housing bill to Gov. Brown despite vicious NIMBY opposition

Sacramento Regional Transit proposes cutting fares, pass prices in effort to rebuild lost ridership

Highway fantasies abound at 8/29/18 Mercury News “Roadshow” column

State of Florida approves tax-free bonds for Brightline passenger rail service over objections of NIMBYs

BART closing Transbay Tube for repairs over Labor Day Weekend

Photo credit: AP via SF Chronicle

Los Angeles Metro to attempt screening passengers with airport style full body scanners

U.S. commuter rail systems making progress on positive train control

Transit goes to the dogs, again. This time, on busses

BART trying to build housing at its stations, getting resistance from local NIMBYs

BART ridership drops at nights and on weekends due to increasing crime and Uber/Lyft

Among other things, presumptive CA governor Gavin Newsom wants to increase spending on transit, but how its paid for is unclear

As We Predicted Dept: few people “want” self-driving cars

Gavin Newsom defends gas tax increase and high-speed rail, attacks Trump

Marin-Sonoma SMART celebrates first full year of rail service

Hey, lady, make it a folding seat! Woman brings own seat on NY Subway. Not suggested for BART

Southern California Metrolink commuter rail awarded grant to study capital improvements

BART may replace all of its 600 fare gates, though it won’t be cheap

Tour of “train box” under new Transbay Transit Terminal in San Francisco