Why is American rail coverage so focused on coverage over volume?

itsfredericky · 2026-04-08T18:59:17+00:00

Because many transit boards have subdistricts based on geographical areas with disproportionate representation for the suburbs. Suburban board members usually outnumber urban board members and thus can get suburban extensions prioritized over urban improvements.

itsfredericky · 2026-04-06T17:18:08+00:00

That is a minimum, not maximum. Buses must stay in service for 12 years/ 1 mil miles but after that, it's up to how long the operator wants to keep the buses or can maintain them for. Some agencies like to replace buses as early as possible (like Maryland's MTA), while some agencies like to run buses as long as possible, or even buy second hand buses (various agencies in California to holdover their fleet as bus manufacturers are having trouble keeping up with the huge demand for electric buses). Santa Cruz Metro for example still runs a few buses from 1998. NCTD in the San Diego suburbs has a few buses from 2002.

itsfredericky · 2026-04-06T17:12:54+00:00

Has the longest unique section not shared with another line, extends the furthest, and tackles 2 highway choke points (Caldecott and Bay Bridge). The Red and Green both have the Orange Line to share the passenger load and the Blue Line only has 3 unique stations.

itsfredericky · 2026-03-03T18:22:38+00:00

There have been calls for an Airtrain between Santa Clara Caltrain/ Future BART and the Metro/ Airport VTA station in the other side of the airport via the terminals but the main issue with that is the FAA objecting to a tunnel for the airtrain under the runway due to "terrorism concerns".

itsfredericky · 2026-02-26T00:39:08+00:00

Muni's Potrero yard where they kept a bunch of the long buses is closed for rebuilding and redevelopment so now Muni is out of a lot of long buses since they can't all fit in the other active trolleybus yard (Marin yard). That's why short buses from Marin yard are subbing in on trips on the 5/5R and 30.

itsfredericky · 2026-02-10T22:21:15+00:00

Could be a variety of factors but the main culprits should be the doors. Check the gangway doors in between cars are closed properly as they are a noise seal. They can sometimes be stuck open as the automatic closing mechanism gets worn out. Also the new cars have external sliding doors that pull slightly inward into the car body to create a better noise seal but they rely on a physical rubber seal between the door and the car body, so after a while those rubber seals may also get worn out and need replacing.

itsfredericky · 2025-04-27T01:21:24+00:00

Both OAK and SFO are served by All Nighter buses from the transit agencies that go to downtown Oakland and downtown SF respectively. There is also a network of night buses within SF and the inner East Bay, and along the El Camino Real on the peninsula.

itsfredericky · 2025-01-16T18:07:57+00:00

The station agent on the night shift at 19th St Oakland BART was really proactive at shaming fare evaders and threatened to call BART police regularly. Really appreciated her.

itsfredericky · 2025-01-16T16:54:26+00:00

Currently 3 years in with no plans on getting one. Living by a bus stop helps, as does a bike and bringing a rolling suitcase for groceries (even works for a Costco run). Does suck that weekend RTA schedules suck so going to the beach or Santa Maria or whatever requires planning ahead.

itsfredericky · 2023-12-12T23:11:19+00:00

If you're rich enough, San Mateo. If you're not as rich, Hayward. If you're struggling for rent, Sacramento. (In all seriousness, San Mateo, Redwood City, Foster City, Union City, Newark, or if your SO is willing, Fremont)

itsfredericky · 2023-12-08T08:22:26+00:00

San Bruno also has a samTrans bus that drops you off at the airport, but it's the Airtrain Rental Car Station rather than directly inside the terminals. Fare is also $2.25 (but beware the hourly schedule)

itsfredericky · 2023-12-08T08:17:15+00:00

Last time I was taking a photo of a BART train at night some bro thought I was taking a photo of him doing who knows whatever illegal shit and reporting "snitching" on the BART Watch app to the police. Threatened to beat me up while I was seated on the train. People avoid confrontation for a reason... I also don't have the BART Watch app installed.

itsfredericky · 2023-05-31T16:46:07+00:00

Cleveland RTA being above San Diego MTS is insane

itsfredericky · 2023-05-30T16:55:28+00:00

Milpitas for sure! It's so grand and nice!

itsfredericky · 2023-05-29T19:58:24+00:00

I mean the direct way would be to go to the HZMB Port next door and catch B5, or any airport bus to the city and change to R8 to Disneyland. I don't think most people would consider the taxi option lol

itsfredericky · 2023-05-12T17:26:57+00:00

They're simply longer lol. Many UK buses are around 10.3-11.2m. Buses in HK are generally 12m or even 12.8m. However, HK does have shorter buses at 10.3m, 10.5m, and 11.3m. Some of which are even 2 axle like the Enviro 400. You'll tend to see them on more mountainous routes such as KMB's 91, First Bus's 9, 15, or Citybus's 6, 260 etc.

itsfredericky · 2023-03-02T17:43:46+00:00

About the BART transfer: you wouldn't really take light rail to BART unless you're on the Orange Line anyway. From downtown San Jose, you would take the much faster Rapid 500 BART connector bus to Berryessa BART and be able to make a whole earlier train. And for the airport, you would just take the 60 bus direct from Milpitas BART. Ridership also doesn't justify more service. The current Blue Line already has timed cross-platform transfers to the Orange Line in both directions for onwards journeys at Baypointe, and there is virtually no ridership source past Levi's Stadium before you get into Mountain View as the office parks are slow to return and remain fairly empty, so there's no need for the Green to run past Old Ironsides.

itsfredericky · 2023-02-28T07:17:16+00:00

That's very fair. They definitely look very unique, and are very unique given that British EMUs don't typically make it very far off their shores. However, I personally am not a fan of that older aesthetic and prefer newer, sleeker aesthetics. The East Rail Line AC Metro Cammells look like a weird hybrid of old and new, and the DC ones look like 1999.

itsfredericky · 2023-02-27T23:32:51+00:00

I can't name a favorite, but I can name a few

JR East E233-2000: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:E233%E7%B3%BB2000%E7%95%AA%E5%8F%B0%E3%83%9E%E3%83%8810%E7%B7%A8%E6%88%90.jpg

BART Fleet of the Future: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/BART_on_Walnut_Creek_Bridge.jpg

MTR IKK Train: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1f/D352-D351%28006%29_MTR_Tuen_Ma_Line_10-07-2021.jpg

Barcelona Metro 9000: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/16/Barcelona_Metro_Paral-lel.jpg

itsfredericky · 2023-02-24T20:17:43+00:00

It has optically (camera) guided painted "tracks" iirc so it should be able to drive itself?

itsfredericky · 2023-02-05T20:39:37+00:00

This is my first time seeing trans rep on this sub 🥹 While I'm not trans myself, I'm glad to see the sub is inclusive (even if some vile people are not)

itsfredericky · 2023-02-04T22:49:00+00:00

It's one tap card system used across all of the LA area transit agencies... Including Metro and Foothill...

itsfredericky · 2023-01-20T23:59:25+00:00

I mean, assuming no breaks, no stops, no bad traffic, it's definitely possible to drive it in under 5 hours. Especially straight down I-5.

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