Tristen
@hawkfalcon.bsky.social
I care a lot about transit and walkability | Strong Towns Santa Barbara | he/him
Reposted by Tristen
Rails to busway+trails with maybe a conversion back in the future
Dumbarton express is now running 35 min service and abandoned a clockfaced timetable. Start with 20 min service, bus lanes down Willow Rd to 101 if not Middlefield (could be 7am-7pm only past 101)
sf.streetsblog.org/2026/01/22/s...
Dumbarton express is now running 35 min service and abandoned a clockfaced timetable. Start with 20 min service, bus lanes down Willow Rd to 101 if not Middlefield (could be 7am-7pm only past 101)
sf.streetsblog.org/2026/01/22/s...
SamTrans Survey Abandons Dumbarton Rail - Streetsblog San Francisco
What happened to the possibility of using the corridor for its original purpose? Advocates need to get this project back on tracks
sf.streetsblog.org
January 23, 2026 at 7:39 AM
Rails to busway+trails with maybe a conversion back in the future
Dumbarton express is now running 35 min service and abandoned a clockfaced timetable. Start with 20 min service, bus lanes down Willow Rd to 101 if not Middlefield (could be 7am-7pm only past 101)
sf.streetsblog.org/2026/01/22/s...
Dumbarton express is now running 35 min service and abandoned a clockfaced timetable. Start with 20 min service, bus lanes down Willow Rd to 101 if not Middlefield (could be 7am-7pm only past 101)
sf.streetsblog.org/2026/01/22/s...
Reposted by Tristen
How do we fix the SCORE program? We need Metrolink to support these 3 reforms:
- Independent infrastructure manager to take over capital projects from counties
- State capacity for design & engineering
- Multi-year framework funding (not patchwork grants)
calelectricrail.org/wp-content/u...
- Independent infrastructure manager to take over capital projects from counties
- State capacity for design & engineering
- Multi-year framework funding (not patchwork grants)
calelectricrail.org/wp-content/u...
January 22, 2026 at 10:14 PM
How do we fix the SCORE program? We need Metrolink to support these 3 reforms:
- Independent infrastructure manager to take over capital projects from counties
- State capacity for design & engineering
- Multi-year framework funding (not patchwork grants)
calelectricrail.org/wp-content/u...
- Independent infrastructure manager to take over capital projects from counties
- State capacity for design & engineering
- Multi-year framework funding (not patchwork grants)
calelectricrail.org/wp-content/u...
Reposted by Tristen
The SCORE program, needed for 30 minute systemwide Metrolink service, has a $300m budget gap. The budget was set prior to advanced design, and utility relocations uncovered in design process pushed up costs.
We need separate funding & staff capacity for design so this doesn't keep happening.
We need separate funding & staff capacity for design so this doesn't keep happening.
January 19, 2026 at 10:04 PM
The SCORE program, needed for 30 minute systemwide Metrolink service, has a $300m budget gap. The budget was set prior to advanced design, and utility relocations uncovered in design process pushed up costs.
We need separate funding & staff capacity for design so this doesn't keep happening.
We need separate funding & staff capacity for design so this doesn't keep happening.
Reposted by Tristen
Wait, so you can just fund design and engineering instead of running everything through competitive grant programs? 🤯
Which CA governor candidate will do this for regional rail electrification?
Which CA governor candidate will do this for regional rail electrification?
NY Governor Kathy Hochul that announces her executive budget would provide funding for design and preliminary engineering to advance tunneling for the Q Subway Train extension across 125th Street to Broadway, serving 240,000 daily riders.
Governor Hochul Unveils Plan to Reimagine Jamaica Station and Advance Second Avenue Subway Westward Expansion
Governor Hochul announced her plan to advance two significant transit projects to improve New Yorkers’ commutes as part of her 2026 State of the State.
www.governor.ny.gov
January 13, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Wait, so you can just fund design and engineering instead of running everything through competitive grant programs? 🤯
Which CA governor candidate will do this for regional rail electrification?
Which CA governor candidate will do this for regional rail electrification?
Reposted by Tristen
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Greenpeace study shows link between the quality of public transport and trust in democracy.
In communities with poor local transport services, the right-wing populist AfD party tends to perform better.
Greenpeace study shows link between the quality of public transport and trust in democracy.
In communities with poor local transport services, the right-wing populist AfD party tends to perform better.
January 10, 2026 at 6:33 PM
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Greenpeace study shows link between the quality of public transport and trust in democracy.
In communities with poor local transport services, the right-wing populist AfD party tends to perform better.
Greenpeace study shows link between the quality of public transport and trust in democracy.
In communities with poor local transport services, the right-wing populist AfD party tends to perform better.
Reposted by Tristen
⚡FULL ELECTRIFICATION ⚡
@governor.ca.gov shouts out Caltrain electrification in his State of the State speech.
@governor.ca.gov shouts out Caltrain electrification in his State of the State speech.
January 9, 2026 at 2:13 AM
⚡FULL ELECTRIFICATION ⚡
@governor.ca.gov shouts out Caltrain electrification in his State of the State speech.
@governor.ca.gov shouts out Caltrain electrification in his State of the State speech.
Reposted by Tristen
The upshot? Twenty bus routes altered, another 15 eliminated, and a light-rail line that will stop at its halfway point, requiring a transfer to get from Clackamas Town Center to downtown Portland.
TriMet Announces Steep Service Cuts to Close Budget Gap
Garrett Andrews
www.wweek.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:03 AM
The upshot? Twenty bus routes altered, another 15 eliminated, and a light-rail line that will stop at its halfway point, requiring a transfer to get from Clackamas Town Center to downtown Portland.
Reposted by Tristen
Want to reduce US reliance on oil? Fund transit and electrify our trains!
January 4, 2026 at 1:20 AM
Want to reduce US reliance on oil? Fund transit and electrify our trains!
Reposted by Tristen
NEW: Mayor Mamdani chose the third full day of his tenure to announce that he will complete the full safety redesign of deadly McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint — a project that was created under Mayor Bill de Blasio, but watered down by Mayor Adams in a corruption scandal. buff.ly/T2rESWz
Mamdani Announces Full McGuinness Road Diet, Finishing a Job Halted by Adams - Streetsblog New York City
Mayor Mamdani chose the third full day of his tenure to announce that he will complete the full safety redesign of deadly McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint — a project that was created under Mayor…
nyc.streetsblog.org
January 3, 2026 at 11:12 PM
NEW: Mayor Mamdani chose the third full day of his tenure to announce that he will complete the full safety redesign of deadly McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint — a project that was created under Mayor Bill de Blasio, but watered down by Mayor Adams in a corruption scandal. buff.ly/T2rESWz
Reposted by Tristen
sometimes it feels impossible to imagine US towns and cities without car-dominance. but i think if we could get a few humming along, and people could visit and see how fun life is using transit and renting e-bikes, we could turn the tide. a good goal is to work on the prototypes!
December 29, 2025 at 6:51 PM
sometimes it feels impossible to imagine US towns and cities without car-dominance. but i think if we could get a few humming along, and people could visit and see how fun life is using transit and renting e-bikes, we could turn the tide. a good goal is to work on the prototypes!
Reposted by Tristen
The next time someone says, "Oh, I'm just going 10 miles per hour over the speed limit, what's the big deal?" you should show them this
December 21, 2025 at 10:15 PM
The next time someone says, "Oh, I'm just going 10 miles per hour over the speed limit, what's the big deal?" you should show them this
Reposted by Tristen
Electrolink - electrification, level boarding, and through-running - would bring the Surfliner to 2.5 hours travel time. California deserves a train like the Northeast Corridor - let's make it happen! calelectricrail.org/electrolink-...
December 12, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Electrolink - electrification, level boarding, and through-running - would bring the Surfliner to 2.5 hours travel time. California deserves a train like the Northeast Corridor - let's make it happen! calelectricrail.org/electrolink-...
Reposted by Tristen
CA is investing $53m in new diesel locomotives that will last for decades. It's good that Metrolink can retire its dirtiest locomotives, but where is the plan to electrify? #ElectrifyMetrolink www.gov.ca.gov/2025/12/08/g...
December 9, 2025 at 9:22 PM
CA is investing $53m in new diesel locomotives that will last for decades. It's good that Metrolink can retire its dirtiest locomotives, but where is the plan to electrify? #ElectrifyMetrolink www.gov.ca.gov/2025/12/08/g...
Reposted by Tristen
When you see L.A. City reps announcing "Large Asphalt Repair" it's basically the city giving the middle finger to folks in wheelchairs, on bike, on foot, on the bus
December 9, 2025 at 5:42 PM
When you see L.A. City reps announcing "Large Asphalt Repair" it's basically the city giving the middle finger to folks in wheelchairs, on bike, on foot, on the bus
Reposted by Tristen
The State Rail Plan has over $100 B of projects across every major region of the state that will greatly improve transit access in car-dependent areas. But there is no plan to fund it - the state just expects local goverments to apply for small competitive grant programs with unrelated incentives.
California Air Resources Board: "To achieve climate goals, we need less driving"
Transportation Researchers: "To reduce driving, we need fewer lane miles"
Caltrans: "We need billions of dollars to keep widening highways."
California Legislature: "You got it."
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/12/02/o...
Transportation Researchers: "To reduce driving, we need fewer lane miles"
Caltrans: "We need billions of dollars to keep widening highways."
California Legislature: "You got it."
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/12/02/o...
Opinion: One Less Lane Ought To Fix It — Streetsblog USA
Federal inaction means states must lead on reducing emissions — but their reluctance to reallocate road space for cars may doom climate goals.
usa.streetsblog.org
December 9, 2025 at 2:18 AM
The State Rail Plan has over $100 B of projects across every major region of the state that will greatly improve transit access in car-dependent areas. But there is no plan to fund it - the state just expects local goverments to apply for small competitive grant programs with unrelated incentives.
Reposted by Tristen
Union Pacific (modern descendant of Southern Pacific) today: electrification is impossible.
Southern Pacific’s electrification & modernization of Oakland, Berkeley and Alameda suburban rail.
- 29 miles of upgrades
- 21 miles of extensions
- 7 year schedule
- standardized pole spacing and specs
- self built power generation
- budget from conceptual design to final acceptance $4m —> $10.5m
- 29 miles of upgrades
- 21 miles of extensions
- 7 year schedule
- standardized pole spacing and specs
- self built power generation
- budget from conceptual design to final acceptance $4m —> $10.5m
December 6, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Union Pacific (modern descendant of Southern Pacific) today: electrification is impossible.
Reposted by Tristen
The metric should not be whether drivers hate it. The metric should be whether it makes our streets safer for everyone. And by all accounts this accomplished that. That’s more than worth a few seconds of all of our time
Despite the anger, San Francisco’s new piece of street infrastructure decreased injury collisions and dropped average speeds at that location to 11 miles per hour.
S.F. installed an experimental street design called a ‘neckdown.’ Drivers hated it
Despite the anger, San Francisco’s new piece of street infrastructure decreased injury collisions and dropped average speeds at that location to 11 miles per hour.
bit.ly
December 5, 2025 at 4:08 AM
The metric should not be whether drivers hate it. The metric should be whether it makes our streets safer for everyone. And by all accounts this accomplished that. That’s more than worth a few seconds of all of our time
Reposted by Tristen
With the Tesla Tunnels officially canceled, the opportunity to invest in the SBL is here. Electrolink would transform San Bernardino County - let's make it happen!
With electrification and level boarding, Rancho Cucamonga and Brightline West will be less than an hour on Metrolink from downtown LA. If SBCTA wants to improve access to Brightline, they should get on board with Electrolink - and plan for a rail extension to ONT. calelectricrail.org/electrolink-...
Electrolink: Modern Passenger Rail Service for Southern California – Californians for Electric Rail
calelectricrail.org
December 3, 2025 at 10:19 PM
With the Tesla Tunnels officially canceled, the opportunity to invest in the SBL is here. Electrolink would transform San Bernardino County - let's make it happen!
BEGGING San Francisco to put rail down Geary. Or at least make the 38R proper BRT like Van Ness
December 3, 2025 at 9:17 PM
BEGGING San Francisco to put rail down Geary. Or at least make the 38R proper BRT like Van Ness
Google Maps thinks I couldn’t POSSIBLY be on a train in SoCal
December 1, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Google Maps thinks I couldn’t POSSIBLY be on a train in SoCal
Reposted by Tristen
If service-led planning was mandatory, SBCTA wouldn't have wasted years of staff time on this boondoggle and would be already advancing better alternatives.
And while the ONT connector thankfully did not have success w/ grants, patchwork competitive grant programs kept hope alive for years.
And while the ONT connector thankfully did not have success w/ grants, patchwork competitive grant programs kept hope alive for years.
Victory! SBCTA is cancelling the ONT Tesla Tunnel project - which would have duplicated BRT with an tunnel for cars - after construction costs escalated to $1-2 B. Time to pivot to electrification and 15 minute service on the San Bernardino line, planning for future multi-use heavy rail to ONT.
November 26, 2025 at 8:05 PM
If service-led planning was mandatory, SBCTA wouldn't have wasted years of staff time on this boondoggle and would be already advancing better alternatives.
And while the ONT connector thankfully did not have success w/ grants, patchwork competitive grant programs kept hope alive for years.
And while the ONT connector thankfully did not have success w/ grants, patchwork competitive grant programs kept hope alive for years.
Reposted by Tristen
California is pausing its hydrogen hub, which has been a driving force behind the hydrogen train boondoggle. Will this pause investments into unproven hydrogen trains, and accelerate investments in proven, fast, zero-emissions electric trains with overhead wires? archesh2.org/california-p...
California Pauses Hydrogen Hub Activities Amid Federal Funding Changes - Arches H2
In response to recent changes in federal funding priorities, the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES) will immediately pause hydrogen hub activities
archesh2.org
November 24, 2025 at 7:34 PM
California is pausing its hydrogen hub, which has been a driving force behind the hydrogen train boondoggle. Will this pause investments into unproven hydrogen trains, and accelerate investments in proven, fast, zero-emissions electric trains with overhead wires? archesh2.org/california-p...