Train must pass test before BART can reach San Jose
Q
When in 2019 is the ribbon cutting for BART to San Jose? — Gary M., San Jose
A
That is anyone’s guess. First, they need to test the trains on the new 10-mile extension.
Q
I’ve driven on Lundy and Murphy at least 100 times this year and not once have I seen any BART trains being tested. I believe BART is three to four years away from San Jose. The Berryessa and Milpitas stations were built with 2018 technology, BART is based on 1970s and 1980s technology. The systems cannot communicate. — Sid Bahuguna, San Jose
A
The testing of trains has been put on hold until the replacement of the communications systems is completed early next year. Then testing will resume but the VTA said the coming extension from Warm Springs to Berryessa is unlikely to be hauling riders until Oct. 1 at the earliest.
At least it’s not three or four years away.
Q
I rode the SFO-Antioch BART train from SFO to 19th Street in Oakland. For my entire ride there was no announcement of the stops. Either the conductor was not announcing them or the PA system was not working. This is a serious problem for people who are not at a window seat of have limited visual acuity, the only way to know where you are is to either count the stops or manage to peer out a window to see a station sign. Could you pass this on to BART? — Adele Ho, Richmond
A
It sounds like you were in a car that had a malfunctioning PA system. Let train operators know when you can’t hear announcements by using the call button located at the end doors. Each car has its own system, so riders can also move to other cars if they can’t hear the operator.
BART’s new cars that are being rolled out have automated announcements of which station is next. They also will have digital screens in multiple locations that show which station is next and a digital map with a “you are here” moving bubble.
And BART is installing big bright station signs on the platforms, so it is easier to glance out the window and know what station you are pulling into.
Q
Why did they turn off the metering lights from Bear Creek Road to Highway 17? It now slows traffic past Idlewild when I hit that part of the road around 6:50 a.m. — Steve Fuller
A
There have been problems with the equipment and Caltrans hopes to have a new controller system soon and have the meter working for next week’s commute.
Q
On Interstate 680 between Fremont and Sunol, crews are tearing down what appears to be a fairly new concrete center median strip. Did they build this strip in the wrong location? — Jim McDonald, Livermore
A
No. Median barriers need to be taller for safety reasons and shifted to hold FasTrak equipment for when express lanes open in a couple of years.