Opinion Pieces & Blogs
Note: In the interest of encouraging healthy debate, a variety of opinions and blogs are presented on this site.
Quarter-Mile Rule - Reinhard Clever of thinkMetric Transportation Consulting told the PCC that he thought the High Speed Rail Authority paid little attention to what he calls the "quarter-mile rule" in compiling the preliminary Alternatives Analysis for the Peninsula. In his presentation on May 14, 2010, he said most commuters are only willing to take public transportation to their downtown office building if they can walk to their final destination and that, beyond a quarter mile, ridership drops off dramatically. You can view it here.
Opinion piece by Palo Alto Mayor Yoriko Kishimoto and Menlo Park Council Member Kelly Fergusson – This editorial explains why cities are joining the Peninsula Cities Consortium
The Caltrain HSR Compatibility Blog (also known as Clem’s Blog) deals with high speed rail issues. It is the work of Clem Tillier, a Peninsula resident and daily Caltrain commuter. He is an engineer with a lifelong interest in rail who has no affiliation with any rail agencies, consultants or the media.
Kathy Hamilton of Menlo Park writes about transportation issues, particularly high speed rail, for the SF Examiner, a grassroots writing group published only on the Web.
The California High Speed Rail blog was created by Robert Cruickshank of Monterey, who describes himself a "a political activist, historian, teacher and native Californian who believes it’s time this state enters the 21st century."
Eric Chase does the Transbay Blog. His Web site discusses Bay Area urban planning and land use issues, as well as transportation projects, including California High-Speed Rail.
Read Adina Levin’s blog about the September 12 High Speed Rail Teach-In.
Read Katy Dickinson’s blog about the September 12 High Speed Rail Teach-In.
Working Together to Integrate High Speed Rail with Caltrain and Communities
In November 2008, Californians voted for Proposition 1A, High Speed Rail. Today, Peninsula communities are wrestling with the implications of this enormous project running through our downtowns. Yes, we voted for it. But we did not give up the right or responsibility to plan and control our future. We must ensure that community voices are represented. We need to think long-term – 100 years or more out into the future – and make sure this project is done right.
Palo Alto Mayor Pat Burt’s comments to the Peninsula Joint Powers Board
In his comments to the Joint Powers Board on April 1, 2010 Mayor Pat Burt of Palo Alto addressed three different ways the JPB might be able to move toward some of the goals that were discussed by the Board and the Executive Director. First is to strengthen the relationship with your constituents- cities and stakeholders- as a foundation for going forward. Second, to do that we need to leverage the greater public focus that has been happening as a result of High Speed Rail (HSR) being considered for this corridor. It’s a transformative period right now and it’s both an opportunity and a risk. Third, we want to focus on our regional transportation interests as our foremost concern. That may seem self evident but there are going to be some cross roads and decisions ahead that will be critical .
Peninsula must have strong voice in planning
The business plan for high-speed rail is full of holes, ridership forecasts are wildly optimistic, yet powerful political forces in San Francisco and San Jose want this enormous rail project to happen - and I’m convinced it will. Our cities along the Caltrain corridor on the Peninsula will not have a strong voice in this project unless we fully engage residents and work together.