> --------------- MESSAGE rescuemuni.v001.n288.1 ---------------
>
> From: Richard Mlynarik <Mly@POBox.COM>
> Subject: More Metro chaos scheduled for tomorrow
> Date: Wed, 2 Sep 1998 21:17:22 PDT
>
> Muni intends to disallow any non-ATCS cars (a total of 20 Boeings) from
> entering the Metro tunnel tomorrow. The aim of this "test" will be to
> see whether the ATCS system actually performs as promised. (Is that
> as it was promised four years ago, or at some other time?) One
> driver with whom I talked described this as "Willie Brown's idea", for
> whatever that speculation may be worth.
>
> The non-ATCS Boeings will be confined to K/M/L and J/N surface
> shuttles
>
> Expect more angry riders.
>
I think this is certainly worthy of testing and RM should support its trial,
given adequate advance explanation to the public of the benefits that would
have to be realized for it to continue. If you could save me 10 minutes off
of the worst commute trips for my commute time from the outer L-Taraval route
to Embarcadero and all I had to do was transfer at West Portal, I'd say do it
until the entire fleet is Breda. Other savings given continue operator
shortage could be running a West Portal to Embarcadero Breda train with 3 or 4
cars and only 1 operator (if allowed under TWU contract) or at least only two
operators. There would be no excuse for not having enough operators to fill
all scheduled runs. I was stuck in the tunnel between Castro and Forest Hill
coming home Tuesday night for 40 minutes because of a broken Boeing that had
to be towed out (a rescue train). If a Boeing car broke down half-way home on
the surface street, at least I could walk home from that point and it would
not be ruining the commute of riders on all five lines. So, I say (1)
evaluate conceptually, (2) inform the public of what and, most importanly,
why; (3) test run for a week; (3) if successful, continue until all Breda.
FYI: the inbound two-car L's would become a K and M at West Portal and
continue outbound...reverse going opposite way. The desired results should be
(a) significantly fewer delays; (b) more runs per day per car and per operator
= more capacity = more comfort for passengers instead of setting new wold
records for the most folks packed into a streetcar.
-Ken Niemi