Comments on: High Speed Rail Interactive Map

By: JETSF

JETSF — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 01:39:22 +0000

I have to agree with JL. The HSR is designed to served longer routes. There are already upgrades being planned as ridership increases, in regional services. The main goal for HSR has always been to connect No Cal with So Cal.

By: Jamison

Jamison — Tue, 20 May 2008 04:35:44 +0000

@Eric I didn’t mean to imply support for the Pacheco route. Altamont is the logical choice for all the advantages.

By: JL

JL — Sat, 17 May 2008 21:56:42 +0000

Altamont was the wrong choice, and Pacheco the right choice, and Pacheco won. Get over it. High Speed Rail is for North/South Travel between Southern California and the Bay Area, and specifically, L.A. to SF, NOT COMMUTER TRAFFIC. And yes IT IS important that CHSR stop in San Jose. To not stop in San Jose would be sheer idiocy. I’m so glad that the Altamont proposal died, like it should have.The right and sensible choice won.

By: Eric

Eric — Sat, 17 May 2008 21:21:00 +0000

I'm pretty sure Nick fully realizes that Amtrak trains don't go to SF now. The point is that SF->Sacto routed through Altamont would enjoy still shorter travel times. And the critical SF-LA segment is of course well served through Altamont. As for SF->LA now, just do Megabus all the way. :)

By: Jamison@adventuresin

Jamison@adventuresin — Sat, 17 May 2008 17:27:07 +0000

Nick,

I agree with you the routing is stupid, but you’re comparing apples to oranges with your example. Amtrak doesn’t currently offer direct service from SF to Sacramento, and you need to add 30 minutes for the shuttle bus from the Ferry Building to Emeryville.

A trip from San Jose to Sacramento drops from 3:05 to 1:24, but that is part of the second phase and you’ve pointed out there is already reasonable Amtrak service to Sacramento.

From SF to LA today you’re looking at a 9+ hour trip including at least one lengthy bus transfer or 12:40 hour trip (including that shuttle bus again) on the Coast Starlight.

I hope when the time comes to extend service to Sacramento, the Altamont Pass will be back on table to fix the route, but the critical part is still the initial SF-LA segment.

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 15 May 2008 22:33:31 +0000

Eric, the only thing that matters is that EVERY train go through San Jose. That’s the ONLY thing that matters.

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 15 May 2008 15:26:55 +0000

But Nick, you’re missing the point! The point is not to see how long it takes to get to Sacramento; the only point you need to know is that it takes 2h 38 min from SF to LA. That is the only leg of the trip that matters. :)

By: Nick/295bus

Nick/295bus — Thu, 15 May 2008 14:37:05 +0000

The interactive map shows that SF to Sacto via Pacheco would take 1 hr 53 mins. Amtrak currently takes 1 hr 50 mins from Emeryville to Sacto.

So the map does have the advantage of documenting just how stupid this routing is :)

By: Doug Cress

Doug Cress — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:16:18 +0000

that looks awesome – though it would seem the CHSRA spent all their money building that website :)