by bryan | Oct 14, 2010 | light rail corridor, News & Information, San Francisco MUNI SFMTA
Muni “Trivia” The steepest grades of Muni routes are: Cable Car: 21% for Powell-Hyde line on Hyde between Bay and Francisco. Streetcar: 9% for J-Church on private right-of-way in Dolores Park. The approximate one-way length of various Muni routes are: The longest cable car route is the Powell-Hyde at 2.1 miles. The longest streetcar line is the M Oceanview at 9.0 miles. Information courtesy of SFMTA:...
by bryan | Oct 14, 2010 | News & Information, San Jose VTA Light Rail
VTA’s 42.2-mile light rail line is one of the longest to be built in the U.S. in 50 years. Service started on the line in December 1987. The initial nine-mile segment from Santa Clara through downtown San Jose was completed in June 1988. Service to the Tamien Station (Alma Avenue), two miles south of downtown, began in August 1990. The entire 20.8-mile line was completed in April 1991. In December 1999, VTA opened the 7.6-mile Tasman West line, connecting Mountain View with existing Light Rail service. The Tasman East Extension followed in two phases. Phase I, Baypointe Transfer Station to I-880/Milpitas Station, was completed in May 2001. Phase II, I-880/Milpitas Station to Hostetter Station, was completed in June 2004, in conjunction with the Capitol Light Rail Extension south of Hostetter to Alum Rock Station. The Vasona Extension from Downtown San Jose to Winchester Transit Center opened October 1, 2005. Hours of Operation: VTA Light Rail service is offered seven-days a week, 365 days a year. Light Rail operates on 15, 30 and 60 minute frequencies depending on time of day from 4:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. on the Alum Rock–Santa Teresa Line and 5 a.m. to 12 midnight on the Mountain View–Winchester Line. For a complete listing of service hours and frequency, check current schedules. Fares: A valid ticket is required to ride VTA’s Light Rail system. Ticket vending machines are located at each station. Fare inspectors may ask to see a valid ticket or pass. Connections: Light rail service connects with VTA buses at all stations. Light rail also connects with Caltrain at the Tamien and Downtown Mountain...
by bryan | Oct 14, 2010 | Denver RTD, News & Information
Whether you’re heading downtown for work or school, shopping or dining in LoDo, hitting the ballgame, or enjoying a night on the town, RTD light rail is going your way. RTD light rail offers over 36 convenient stations on several lines to get you anywhere you want to go. The Light Rail system provides fast (up to 55 mph) and reliable transportation through central, southwest and southeast metro areas (see map). You can leave your car at home or park it at one of nearly 20 light rail stations with park-n-Ride lots. Then, just hop on board to get to your destination or make connections to other RTD services, such as call-n-Rides or bus routes. Best of all, you’ll save money over driving while enjoying a commute free of stress, traffic jams and bad weather. Once you’ve tried it, you’ll find that light rail really is the fast, comfortable and convenient way to get around. Some lines provide additional late night/early morning trips. Schedules may vary. Light rail cars are wheelchair accessible. Discount fares, ticketbooks and passes are available. Information courtesy of Denver RTD:...
by bryan | Oct 14, 2010 | News & Information
Bad economy, high unemployment cited as likely causes for decline At a time when many mass-transit systems across the country are enjoying a resurgence, the San Diego Trolley lost 6.5 million passengers. While expressing reservations about their own numbers, Metropolitan Transit System officials say familiar suspects are behind this 17.5 percent ridership loss in fiscal 2010, which ended June 30: a bad economy, high unemployment, cutbacks in state funding, relatively stable gas prices. “I really believe it is a reflection of the economy,” says county Supervisor Ron Roberts, a member of the MTS board of directors. “It is a concern, but I do not believe it is a rejection of the trolley by riders.” The agency also raised rates last year and made some cutbacks in services to meet its budget. Almost no corner of the MTS system — city buses, express buses, trolleys — escaped the effects of a failed economy and double-digit unemployment. The whole system lost just more than 10 percent of its riders last year, according to the agency’s annual report. A national survey of light rail systems by the American Public Transportation Association saw an average increase in ridership of 3.16 percent in the first half of 2010. But MTS’ revenue picture isn’t as bleak as its ridership figures. “What I think we’re also seeing is passenger revenue is constant or flat at best,” says MTS CEO Paul C. Jabonski. Customers are still buying monthly and day passes but taking fewer trips, he said. Fewer jobs and furloughs are keeping people off the trolleys, too. Jablonski points to the border where pedestrian crossings from Mexico...
by bryan | Oct 14, 2010 | News & Information, Valley Metro
PHOENIX — METRO light rail unveiled a new train wrap today. It showcases a bold, yet simple, public safety message: Stop on red. Obeying traffic signals is key to safely sharing the road with the 20-mile, in-street METRO light rail system. “We wanted to use our most visual asset – our light rail vehicle – to convey the importance of this message,” said CEO Steve Banta. “Safety remains a METRO priority and we continue to think of creative ways to keep the message fresh in the minds of drivers and passengers.” The Stop on Red wrapped train is now in service. The wrap will remain through the fall and winter – a busy ridership and visitor season for both METRO and the Valley of the Sun. “The Stop on Red train wrap is a great way to remind drivers to use caution around light rail when it matters most – when they’re driving!” said METRO Board Chairman and Phoenix Councilman Tom Simplot. “METRO is using this innovative way to take the safety message right to the street.” Also launched today is the Stop on Red online pledge. The pledge is intended to solidify drivers’ commitments to stopping on red and remaining an aware driver. As incentive, each person to sign will be entered into a drawing for 52 free all-day transit passes – a little encouragement to leave the car behind and try transit once a week, for a year. To take the pledge or for more information on METRO’s safety campaign, visit www.metrolightrail.org/safety. Photos of the wrap and its unveiling are available on METRO’s Facebook page. Photos can be emailed upon request. Information courtesy of Metro Light Rail....
