Bob the Train Guy Wrote:
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> ron Wrote:
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> -----
> > Bob the Train Guy Wrote:
> >
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>
> >
> >
> > Of course the best option is to extend the
> track
> > to the terminal.Step off the train and board
> > the ferry. Each time passengers are required
> to
> > change from train to a shuttle or people mover
> you
> > lose riders. In the late 1980's the Bridge
> > district purchased the land where the Marin
> > airporter is located so a transition could be
> > built from the existing ROW to the ferry
> terminal
> > parking lot.An elevated section could be built
> > without removing any buildings. Starting from
> the
> > the Airporter lot and following the alignment
> of
> > the existing street Larkspur circle, and
> > extending to the terminal. It could be either a
> > single track loop or stub track . No
> additional
> > station would need to be built. The elevated
> > sections of BART with streets below is a good
> > example.
>
> A shuttle bus is cheapest and can be done the day
> SMART starts service. There is no way anyone is
> going to loop the train into there. Its crowded,
> even going thru the parking lot, that takes a lot
> of engineering and changes. People will use the
> ferry if there is a shuttle or foot bridge.

I agree a shuttle bus is cheapest and could be done that day. Being done quickly and cheaply without good planning is part of SMART"S problem. There is a way to build an elevated structure above the parking lot that would not take up any more room than the footprint of the columns. It need not be a loop. It remains to be seen how many people will use the shuttle bus .That's what this whole conversation is about. The shuttle bus will be stuck in the parking lot traffic too. The foot bridge in the dark, rain ,wind, on hot days , mothers with strollers , elderly will make the ferry connection a non starter for many.