Connect the hubs

Here’s a low-tech way to link the two stations.

1). Move the Mid-King Street terminus of the Muni N-Judah Metro line about 50 feet north. Then it — and a new 1.3-mile terminal-to-terminal or hub-to-hub line — would use the two Caltrain tracks nearest to King Street and become an integral part of the Caltrain terminal. Peninsula Caltrain passengers could then transfer between modes in seconds without leaving the station.

2). When the downtown-bound hub-to-hub cars reach Beale Street, they would turn north from the Embarcadero onto a new four-block stretch of tracks that will end in front of the Beale Street entrance of Salesforce Transit Center, under an existing sheltering terminal element. Beale Street is perfectly level and signals could be timed to allow streetcars preference.

3). To dress things up, a circus-like tent should be constructed above the two tracks, so transferring Peninsula passengers will be shielded from the weather.

The cost of four blocks of low-tech track and trolley wire plus 50 feet of Caltrain connection track should be reasonable. The construction time should be minimal, probably doable by opening day. The attractiveness to Peninsula commuters, versus a 10-year wait, should be priceless. Let’s connect the hubs.

Stanford Horn

Millbra