Editor,
Mr. Horgan’s July 9 column wrote that BART is “basically a blip in the overall public transportation picture.” It’s Caltrain that’s a blip! BART provides many services to taxpayers whereas Caltrain provides one service and is a bad neighbor. Specifics:
1). ACCESS TO TWO AIRPORTS: BART goes to the San Francisco and Oakland airports, providing airport access at a good price. Caltrain does not.
2). PAID PARKING: Lasting several days, parking is available at Millbrae BART station for airport travelers. The rate is cheaper than SFO parking.
3). ACCESS TO AMTRAK: Ample access from multiple BART stations. Richmond BART is located 30 seconds from Richmond Amtrak. McArthur BART station has a shuttle that goes to the Emeryville Amtrak station. Two SF BART stations — Montgomery Street and Embarcadero — are one block away from the Salesforce Transit Center which has a bus to the Emeryville Amtrak station.
4). BART is quiet, Caltrain causes near constant noise pollution with its obnoxious horn noise, a consequence of its electrification. Within half mile of Caltrain crossings in northern San Mateo, there is near constant noise pollution, 5:30 a.m. to 1030 p.m. due to Caltrain’s horn noise. Since it’s summer, the horn noise is particularly noticeable because windows are open. In my neighborhood (North Central) the horn noise was not noticeable before electrification, now I constantly hear it several times an hour.
Jane James
San Mateo
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(1) comment
To be fair, Ms. James, what you missed (by mistake or on purpose) from Mr. Horgan’s column is that Mr. Horgan highlights how important BART is to San Mateo County (not very, according to Mr. Horgan), not the Bay Area. Last I checked, Richmond and Emeryville are not in San Mateo County.
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