Editor,
Regarding C.J. Keanes’ letter on Wednesday about the non-need for more frequent Caltrain service — electrifying the Caltrain tracks (which would allow for this) on the Peninsula was planned years ago as a government project; voted in by citizens before the price bloated, and the delays set in.
It seemed like a good idea at the time. It was to tie in with the link of Los Angeles with the Bay Area by high-speed rail, which was former Gov. Brown’s fascination (since his childhood in the 1940s) with choo-choo trains. The cost of this exploded, revenue sources either dried up or did not pan out — all while delays in construction got worse; to the point where it will probably never be completed. One expected perk was an option to avoid airport TSA delays, but it may be better to just end that government waste of time. Most contraband gets through during efficiency tests anyway.
The project was locked in before we were taught to be terrified of one another’s potential COVID, so we still avoid crowded areas, such as how Caltrain used to be — even though for most people now, the disease is not much different than getting a cold or the flu. But fears are hard to overcome, once taught — especially after great sacrifices due to lockdowns of society.
The point being, the project was locked in and committed to too long ago to discontinue at this point — despite the train tracks to nowhere in the Central Valley, and a lessened need for fear. Â
Howard Welch
Mountain Vie
Please purchase a Premium Subscription to continue reading.
To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account.
We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription.
A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means you’re helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much!
Only subscribers can view and post comments on articles.
Already a subscriber? Login Here
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
(1) comment
Thanks for your letter, Mr. Welch. I’d say we can easily decommit from the train to nowhere. In fact, I bet you could find volunteers who would happily deconstruct the partial construction that the union giveaway known as the train-to-nowhere has built. In fact, if the powers-that-be wanted to continue rewarding their sponsors, they could continue their union giveaway by transferring them to water storage or wildfire management projects. That way, union workers would be happy and they’d be working on something which benefits all Californians. Win-win!
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
Keep it clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
Don't threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Anyone violating these rules will be issued a warning. After the warning, comment privileges can be revoked.