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Metrolink Connections that exist or should exist Now!
By Noel T. Braymer The counties that control Metrolink need to demand that it make good connections. Right now each line on Metrolink is run as a private fiefdom for each county. As a result the emphasis is on what that county wants or will pay for, not what will produce the best ridership or…
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Price Tops Speed for Attracting Passengers
By Noel T. Braymer How a person travels depends on several factors. Saving time is nice, but so is saving money. Safety and comfort are also factors in choosing how to travel. The best value for traveling is the best combination of speed, price, comfort and safety. If all things are generally equal, price usually…
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Will Driverless Cars Eliminate Passenger Trains?
By Noel T. Braymer This is the assumption being made by some promoters for the future of automated driverless cars. The thinking behind this is when people no longer drive their cars, all traffic congestion will disappear and road travel will be much faster and easier. This will happen because there will be no accidents…
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What is Metrolink’s Problem?
By Noel T. Braymer Metrolink’s problem is money; or rather the lack of money. Metrolink is in the red because ridership is below projections. Metrolink blames this on declining commuter ridership to downtown Los Angeles. What Metrolink needs to do is increase its ridership to more places in Southern California for more revenue. In the…
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Pros and Cons of a Burbank-Palmdale Underground HSR Short Cut
By Noel T. Braymer After years of studies and public meetings when it seemed the California High Speed Rail Authority was ready to make a final decision for the route between Burbank and Palmdale: they are studying a new route. This comes at the request of Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich who’s district includes…
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Fresno: Future High Speed Rail City
Photos and Story by Noel T. Braymer Recently I went to visit Fresno for the first time. I have been on the train going through Fresno many times. I have also stopped in Fresno a few times. I even went to Fresno for a RailPAC meeting several years ago. But I’ve never really visited Fresno.…
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Friday’s problems on the San Joaquins and Amateur Hour with the Bus Connections at Bakersfield.
Story and Photos by Noel T. Braymer I have known for years that July and August are the busiest months for Amtrak California. Having had 2 trips on Amtrak on Fridays this month I’ve learned that Fridays and Sundays are the busiest days on Amtrak in California. Unfortunately when there is a problem on the…
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We Need More Connections to California High Speed Rail
By Noel T. Braymer It is looking more likely with secure funding from Cap and Trade money that the first 300 miles of High Speed Rail will be running between Burbank and Merced in the next 8-10 years.The High Speed Rail Authority is planning to finish 800 miles in California in about 16 years. However…
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The San Joaquins: California’s Overnight Trains?
By Noel T. Braymer Many would love to be able to catch a train in the evening and wake up near their destination from one end of California to the next. This isn’t likely to happen anytime soon. There has been talk for years about extending a round trip San Joaquin over the Tehachapis overnight…
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Why BART has Faster, more Direct Service than LA Metro
By Noel T. Braymer I am not a big fan of BART. One of my biggest complaints about BART is their less than ideal connections to Caltrain, Muni Metro and Amtrak. But between BART routes, the connections are excellent. I can’t say the same about LA Metro. Transferring between the Blue Line to the Red…