BART’s trying to squeeze in more parking spaces
Q I would be much more likely to support higher taxes for public transportation, such as BART, if they will actually resolve existing problems such as providing enough parking spaces. During the week, there are almost never any empty parking spaces at BART lots. Are there plans to relieve the shortages at existing lots?
Sam Klutez Sunnyvale
A The news is mixed. Demand for parking at BART stations exceeds the number of spaces available, with a waiting list for parking permits as long as 3,800. There currently is no money to purchase real estate for parking lots or multi-level garages. Many stations are in densely populated areas, with no room to expand.
The $3.5 billion BART bond measure on the November ballot in Contra Costa, Alameda and San Francisco counties includes a pot of money ($135 million) for improved access to stations. Since BART’s lots are full, they are looking at squeezing in a few additional parking spaces and improving bus accessibility and on-site bike storage.
Now for some encouraging news. When the Warm Springs station in Fremont opens — the target date is Oct. 22 — there will be a lot with 2,000 parking spaces. Future development plans near the station are likely to include a parking garage. (By comparison, the Concord station has 3,000 spaces and the Dublin station, 1,500.)
When the Milpitas station opens next year, there will be a garage for 1,200 cars and room for an additional 435 in a street-level lot. The planned San Jose/ Berryessa station garage will be able to handle 1,150 spaces plus an additional 328 in an adjacent lot, with room to expand.
Q By the time BART comes to San Jose, will the trains be quieter and more comfortable? I love riding Caltrain’s baby bullets but dread BART. The noise between stations is unbearable. And the seats on Caltrain are like business class compared to BART’s economy minus.
Pete Kellner
A BART plans to replace its current 669 cars with 775 new ones, to be phased in over the next several years. The first 10 will be trickling in later this year and by 2022 all 775 new cars will be in service.
There are open houses where you can see the new trains: Saturday at the Pleasant Hill station and Sunday at the MacArthur station from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Q Thanks
so much for writing about the horrendous nightmare that is the Hillcrest A venue-to-west bound Highway 4 on-ramp. However, I hope Caltrans can come up with something better than “timing the lights” because that’s not going to help.
I’m no engineering genius, but I’ve driven that area in commute and non-commute times and it’s a dangerous nightmare for drivers, pedestrians and bike riders. I’m not even going to mention the “no turn on red” signs that do nothing to decrease the treacherous conditions and only serve to back up traffic further.
We’re pulling our hair out every time we want to leave town!
Debbie Farmer
A That’s not good. Debbie, you have just been appointed to serve as a Roadshow watcher. I want you to report back to me by Halloween as to whether this area has gotten any better. Contact Gary Richards at mrroadshow@ bayareanewsgroup.com or 408-920-5335.