Published Monday, October 8, 2001, in the San Jose Mercury News

Letters to the Editor

Make BART cost-effective

In the article "BART, light-rail traffic dips with the economy" (Page
2B, Oct. 3), I read that Valley Transportation Authority officials
are wondering whether they can use "BART-like" vehicles and still
fulfill the promises made to the voters in Measure A last November.

I strongly believe they can. BART is an operator, not a technology.
Extending BART to San Jose means that I will be able to buy a BART
ticket in San Jose and ride up to Oakland or beyond. "BART-like"
vehicles will provide that. Besides, I would much rather have a train
with restrooms, tables and possibly a dining car than outdated BART
technology that has none of these.

The fact is, we need frequent, reliable and comfortable service and
we need it soon. By using existing rail with "BART-like" vehicles we
can have a world-class train line faster and for less money that can
connect to other systems like Caltrain or the soon-to-be refurbished
Dumbarton Rail Bridge.

Overpriced BART technology combined with the huge sums we may have to
pay to join the BART system could suck up the funding voters approved
for trains, potholes, buses, light-rail and highway improvements for
the next 35 years.

Kimberly Strickland
South Bay Coordinator
Bay Area Transportation & Land Use Coalition
San Jose