Fix Caltrain’s onboard bike capacity
Letter to the Editor, posted without comment:
Leave comment (1)Fix Caltrain’s onboard bike capacity
Editor,
After a recent 12-hour work day, I left my office to catch Caltrain at Hayward Park (the “local†at 8:22 p.m.). I hurried to catch the train knowing that at this time of night trains only stop hourly. Imagine my surprise when it pulled up, let three bikes off and did not allow anyone on. The five of us on the platform were stunned; no one was expecting to be bumped at this time of night. We protested that the next train was not for another hour but the conductor would have none of it. The cyclists on the train called out that there were at least two bike racks that were not full but the conductor ignored them and did not let us board. The rest of the train was virtually empty. I was despondent at the prospect of not getting home from work until after 10 p.m., so I called my husband in tears. He drove from San Francisco to pick me up and take me home.
So much for public transit. The very next night, once again after working late, I was bumped at Hillsdale. The following week I was bumped at San Mateo. My evening commute has become a game of Russian roulette — no train is a safe bet anymore. I urge Caltrain to redouble its efforts to expand onboard bike capacity. Now is not the time to encourage people to forsake the train and return to their cars.
Jessica Hidalgo
San Mateo
[p.s. The Forums are open for participation.]
November 11th, 2008 at 8:12 am
This is the #1 reason I don’t ride the train in the evening anymore and neither does anybody I know. I’m close enough to ride home after work, but some of my friends have stopped taking their bikes to work altogether, opting for shuttles and carpools instead.