Buses, Shuttles

Buses Buses are just below walking and bicycling on the great transportation revival hierarchy. http://www.transalt.org/files/newsroom/magazine/012Spring/09hierarchy.html We maximize trips by foot and bike and then connect up buses and shuttles. That means arterials, like El Camino and to a lesser extent Ralston and other Peninsula east west arterials, should have grade separation (where possible) to improve throughput in the walking circle, bus/bike only lane, electric buses in the bus only lane. Electric buses are nearly pollution free vehicles (http://www.apta.com/research/info/briefings/briefing_5.cfm). They are cheap existing technology that was implemented a hundred years ago, and today are revitalizing cities all over the world from Shanghai to Bogota. We don't need wires crisscrossed everywhere since there are hybrid versions of these buses now which have a battery backup that allow them to make short detours into neighborhoods. Only El Camino would have an electric network and it could be on the median to facilitate fast boarding. See: articles.directorym.net/Electric_Rail_or_Electric_Bus-a909497.html Going to electric buses will make the essential walking environment quiet and pollution free, particularly important to the schools like Central Middle and Sequoia High located by the El Camino. A FasTrak type (http://www.bayareafastrak.org/) ticketing system can be read while in your pocket, fare automatically deducted from your account, and your account automatically reloaded from your registered credit card. This system is now used only for automobiles. A next bus locator (http://www.nextbus.com/predictor/newUserWelcome.shtml) at every stop can tell you how long you can expect to wait until the next bus arrives. These are used in Europe and Asia. With a next bus locator the bus is never late since you know how much time you have to do whatever you want; read a newspaper, get a coffee, et cetera. Shuttles Run smaller shuttles or shared taxis in the off peak period. Many Peninsula neighborhoods have narrow streets. Large buses frequently running empty do not engender good will. Resources http://www.busridersunion.org/engli/index.html http://www.ace-ej.org/tru http://www.vtaridersunion.org/ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0229283/ http://cpr-ca.blogspot.com/2008/07/pollution-related-deaths-exceed-traffic.html

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