A plan to integrate the various regional transit providers in the San Francisco Bay Area could be the key to winning back transit riders in the post-pandemic world.
Momentum is building for an idea that would merge Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) with CalTrain and other regional rail providers to create a single regional rail system that would completely encircle the San Francisco Bay Area, reports Nico Savidge.
Seamless Bay Area released a report earlier this month that "recommends bringing BART, Caltrain and other longer-distance operators such as San Francisco Bay Ferry and the North Bay's Golden Gate Transit together into a single system that stretches from Santa Rosa to Gilroy," according to Savidge.
The report recommends an integrated fare system that would create a zone system for fares—charging one price even if riders transfer from one system to another within a zone.
"It's a long-debated idea, but there are signs momentum could be building," writes Savidge. "A merger with BART is one of the concepts Caltrain's board is considering this year as it overhauls the railroad's management. And COVID-19 has upped the pressure throughout the Bay Area to better coordinate service between agencies if they want to win back riders in the post-pandemic world."
Savidge provides more evidence of the growing political momentum for the idea in the source article (which is also available at Mass Transit if The Mercury News paywall is an obstacle). One key driver of the new momentum for the idea of integrated regional rail in the Bay Area is the need to entice riders back to transit in the post-pandemic world.
Meanwhile, Seamless Bay Area has launched a Kickstarter to raise the funds to create a board game called Connect the Bay to illustrate the integrated fare concept.
FULL STORY: Could a BART-Caltrain merger help fix one of Bay Area transit's biggest problems?
Compromise Reached to Save Caltrain
The saga of the three-county sales tax upon which the future of Caltrain depends is now in the hands of voters.
Caltrain on the Rocks as Sales Tax Measure Fails
Advocates are concerned about the possibility of Caltrain entirely shutting down—less than a year after the commuter rail line seemed positioned for a massive expansion of service.
A $100 Billion Wishlist for Bay Area Transit
Project priorities for the Faster Bay Area ballot initiative, speculatively proposed for the November 2020 election, have not yet been specified. But BART's new general manager has ideas about the money could be spent.
New Study Ranks the Urban Heat Island Effect in U.S. Cities
A new analysis by Climate Central evaluates the intensity of urban heat islands in cities around the United States—New Orleans tops the list.
The Most Complete Map of U.S. Pedestrian Risk Yet
New research published by the Journal of Transport and Land Use analyzes tens of thousands of pedestrian fatalities over 16 years in the United States.
The Freeway Removal Cause Gains Momentum—But Don't Forget Gentrification and Displacement
The case for freeway in urban areas isn't as unequivocal as it might seem. Plans to undo the damage of the legacies of past freeway planning need to ensure an inclusive future.
Ascent Environmental
Ascent Environmental
Brailsford & Dunlavey
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Harvard University Graduate School of Design - Executive Education
City of Greensburg
City of Flagstaff
Zhongshan Municipal Bureau of Natural Resources
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.