Rider-friendly service on the Dumbarton Corridor
SamTrans is again considering a project to improve travel on the Dumbarton Corridor using the current rail right of way. The current project is considering paving over the train tracks to create a busway.
The new proposal is instead of an earlier proposal to restore the rail connection across the bridge, which was estimated to cost at least $3 billion; the busway proposal is expected to be lower in cost.
Dumbarton Rail Bridge. Source: JPxG, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
However, their proposal does not yet consider the full opportunities to improve rider experience using the corridor, including the connection across the Bay to Union City BART, and the potential to run service after the early evening and over the weekend when there is no service. These are suggestions we have heard from people who use the current bus service at several community meetings.
Planning for transit improvements in the Bay Area ought to consistently include rider needs for service, including end to end travel. This requires consistently considering funding for service needs alongside capital needs, and considering the travel experience from start to finish.
Source: SamTrans
SamTrans plans to bring forward alternatives in the fall, and community members will have opportunities to comment.
This is a project that SamTrans is considering for the “return to source” funds from the Connect Bay Area ballot measure, so it is especially helpful to pay attention.