PROGRESSION OR REGRESSION: CASE STUDY FOR COMMUTER RAIL IN SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

Commuter rail, once a transit option in many cities, is currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity in this country. A case in point is the Bay Area Rapid Transit District's (BART's) plan to return commuter rail to the East Bay Area. BART is now considering a plan that will return commuter rail to the Bay area in the form of a 322-km (200-mi) regional commuter rail system in the East Bay Area. This system would use existing rail infrastructure and provide service to five counties. BART developed this program as a near-term and cost-effective transportation solution for relieving highway congestion and maximizing limited financial resources for new rail extensions in the Bay Area. The BART Commuter Rail Program could begin service within 2 years after funding sources have been secured. Short-term implementation is possible because the existing infrastructure and facilities can support service today. The BART Commuter Rail Program would be coordinated with existing regional transit services and provide an integrated and coordinated regional transportation system. Compared with other proposed rail transit and highway expansion projects in the region, the BART Commuter Rail Program is a cost-effective and efficient use of the region's financial and physical resources. In addition, the expected operating performance of the program is within the industry range of performance levels experienced by new-start commuter rail systems across the nation.