Comments on: FTA Rejects Federal Stimulus Funding for BART Oakland Airport Connector

By: Is the Oakland Airport Connector Dead? « Transbay Blog

Is the Oakland Airport Connector Dead? « Transbay Blog — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:42:48 +0000

[...] a comment » Last week brought the great news that FTA refused to disburse $70 million of ARRA federal stimulus dollars to the BART Oakland Airport Connector. The natural follow-up [...]

By: Eric

Eric — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 21:48:46 +0000

Oh, I see, I misunderstood your question. In theory, it could have been used if SMART could have made the necessary deadlines for obligating and putting the funds to use. At this late point in the game (a couple weeks shy of the March 5 stimulus deadline), though, they couldn’t be moved over. Last February, MTC had already compiled a Tier 2 contingency project list if the OAC allocation didn’t work out. Since it hasn’t worked out, that Tier 2 list defines how the funds will be used. At this point, the region just needs to act fast to make sure we keep that $70 million in the nine counties.

By: capdiamont

capdiamont — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 20:46:47 +0000

I understand about that part of SMART. I’ve been following it on my blog. Could this money be moved over to SMART?

By: Eric

Eric — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:50:57 +0000

capdiamont: The economy has diminished sales tax revenue, which opened a $155 million funding gap for the SMART project. SMART considered federal New Starts money to close the gap, which MTC did not agree to, but MTC is nonetheless working with the SMART board to figure out other substitute funding that may be available.

By: capdiamont

capdiamont — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 08:03:17 +0000

What about funding for SMART?

By: lyqwyd

lyqwyd — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:58:15 +0000

Dennis H, what did we lose?

The OAC was actually negative benefit, expensive, no improvement in transit, and double the fare price.

Jobs? first, why are bus operator & maintenance jobs more important than construction jobs? Second, even if they are more important, the MTC & BART could have long ago fixed the problems with the OAC, or come up with a backup project that would provided construction jobs.

By: lyqwyd

lyqwyd — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:54:11 +0000

stevenj, I think you posted a reasonable question, so I’ll answer it to the best of my ability.

The reason that the OAC was going to be no faster is that the budget had balooned so far they had to stop the line before it actually reached the airport terminals, so although AirBART would be slower on the ground it gets riders closer to where they need to go.

Just for some history, the OAC was originally supposed to cost about $150 million, have an intermediate stop, connect directly to the terminal, be faster, and have the same ticket price. But it was so poorly thought out that costs skyrocketed and they had to cut out the intermediate station and terminate before it reached the terminals to just get it in at $500 million.

On the other hand, BRT would clearly improve speed (it would pretty much take the same route, but have a dedicated lane so no traffic delays) and get directly to the terminal, as well as be much cheaper than the OAC. Even better would be to build a new station at 98th AND do BRT, which would shorten the trip even further, provide better access to BART for local residents, and STILL be much cheaper than the OAC.

By: JimBobJones

JimBobJones — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 02:16:51 +0000

I just hope that AirBART is replaced with something better, if it’s not the OAC as planned. I will keep driving to OAK as long as my other option is AirBART. We can call OAC a boondoggle, but we need something to improve our airport infrastructure.

Isn’t going from San Leandro station to OAK more direct than from Coliseum?

By: stevenj

stevenj — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:40:59 +0000

Mr T. Sucks:
FYI, I am a taxpayer and a transit rider. I am not a union member. I am self employed. I am 61 and have lived in SF for over 40 years and all too familiar with transit and it’s problems. I frequently use both Oakland Airport and SFO. I don’t own a car. AirBART is ok, I’ve used it hundreds of times (but glad there are no intermediate stops). AC transit already has a couple of routes that are more leisurely and make stops along the way to Oakland airport. Sorry my question was so offensive to you or anyone else but the above quoted assertion before my question seemed illogical. Hope you’re feeling better.

By: trolls suck

trolls suck — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 22:27:09 +0000

The trolls for the OAC (aka the foreign company that would build this disneyland ride) are out in force in the “comments” section of blogs, like it makes a difference.

Well news flash: your boondoggle is dead, and you can all go fuck yourselves. The taxpayers and the riders of transit won, and you losers who supported the OAC lost, and I am so glad you lost and I don’t give a damn about your stupid unions , who are running the government into the ground with your expensive pay and benefits and do nothing attitude.