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Old 05-07-2011, 07:47 PM
 
128 posts, read 447,262 times
Reputation: 69

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While I agree that the Cable Car is really San Francisco icon, I personally would love to see something similar come to Oakland or Berkeley. Yes, there is BART currently, and I do love seeing BART operate above ground whenever I get a chance. Riding BART is really cool at some spots. When you depart the MacArthur station heading north, you get a really nice view of the Sather Tower and the Berkeley hills. It's even cooler riding BART at night in the East Bay because of the views you can get at some spots.

But I think Oakland should get either a cable car or a street car similar to what SF has running on the Embarcadero. Could you imagine how cool it would be to see a street or cable car running down the MacArthur hill in the Dimond? Or a line running down Adams Point to Lake Meritt. How about one running along University Ave. in Berkeley?

I know the idea sounds pretty far-fetched, and that might be an understatement. But me personally I cannot help but love the natural scenery the East Bay provides. So if there was to be this additional form of public transportation added to the East Bay, where do you think the best place for it would be?
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Old 05-07-2011, 07:54 PM
 
Location: Los Altos Hills, CA
36,660 posts, read 67,564,755 times
Reputation: 21249
Quote:
Originally Posted by CityOnDown5250 View Post
While I agree that the Cable Car is really San Francisco icon, I personally would love to see something similar come to Oakland or Berkeley. Yes, there is BART currently, and I do love seeing BART operate above ground whenever I get a chance. Riding BART is really cool at some spots. When you depart the MacArthur station heading north, you get a really nice view of the Sather Tower and the Berkeley hills. It's even cooler riding BART at night in the East Bay because of the views you can get at some spots.

But I think Oakland should get either a cable car or a street car similar to what SF has running on the Embarcadero. Could you imagine how cool it would be to see a street or cable car running down the MacArthur hill in the Dimond? Or a line running down Adams Point to Lake Meritt. How about one running along University Ave. in Berkeley?

I know the idea sounds pretty far-fetched, and that might be an understatement. But me personally I cannot help but love the natural scenery the East Bay provides. So if there was to be this additional form of public transportation added to the East Bay, where do you think the best place for it would be?
Oakland is actually exploring BRT(Bus Rapid Transit) and there has been news about a proposed LRT(Light Rail) as well.

YouTube - East Bay BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) 3D Simulations

It turns out that funding for the BRT appears to be on the fast track:
East Bay Bus Rapid Transit Receives Highest Overall Ranking in Just Released Federal Transit Administration Report to Congress | AC Transit
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Old 05-07-2011, 08:02 PM
 
Location: Everywhere and Nowhere
14,129 posts, read 31,265,891 times
Reputation: 6920
There used to be quite a few in Berkeley including one that ran up and down Telegraph Avenue. You could get just about anywhere on them. You can read about them here:

Berkeley Observed :: Public Transportation 1873–1946
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Old 05-07-2011, 08:15 PM
 
128 posts, read 447,262 times
Reputation: 69
nice...they gotta bring 'em back!
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Old 05-07-2011, 08:25 PM
 
Location: San Diego, California Republic
16,588 posts, read 27,403,081 times
Reputation: 9059
One street in Berkeley still shows evidence of it's cable car past. Marin Street is very steep and is still concrete rather than asphalt past I believe Arlington as you go up the hill. You can see where the concrete slabs met right in the middle of the street where the cable car line once ran.
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Old 05-07-2011, 08:33 PM
 
Location: San Diego, California Republic
16,588 posts, read 27,403,081 times
Reputation: 9059
Quote:
Originally Posted by 18Montclair View Post
Oakland is actually exploring BRT(Bus Rapid Transit) and there has been news about a proposed LRT(Light Rail) as well.

YouTube - East Bay BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) 3D Simulations

It turns out that funding for the BRT appears to be on the fast track:
East Bay Bus Rapid Transit Receives Highest Overall Ranking in Just Released Federal Transit Administration Report to Congress | AC Transit
That's the old line 40 that it followed sort of lol. That would be awesome if they got that going. I'm guessing the light rail would serve areas BART currently doesn't?

I like the idea of having that bus only lane. When I went to Berkeley High, I lived in Toler Heights right off 98th ave. It took that bus about an hour and a half to get from downtown Berkeley to 98th ave.
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Old 05-07-2011, 09:15 PM
 
Location: Everywhere and Nowhere
14,129 posts, read 31,265,891 times
Reputation: 6920
I believe there were local trains that went across the Bay Bridge also. I recall my parents and relatives who lived there then saying that it was two way for cars on the upper level and the trains ran on the lower level.
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Old 05-07-2011, 09:17 PM
 
Location: San Diego, California Republic
16,588 posts, read 27,403,081 times
Reputation: 9059
Quote:
Originally Posted by CAVA1990 View Post
I believe there were local trains that went across the Bay Bridge also. I recall my parents and relatives who lived there then saying that it was two way for cars on the upper level and the trains ran on the lower level.
I believe that may have been true as I heard that same thing and the Bay Bridge was originally designed for that.
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Old 05-07-2011, 10:49 PM
 
Location: Los Altos Hills, CA
36,660 posts, read 67,564,755 times
Reputation: 21249
Quote:
Originally Posted by CAVA1990 View Post
I believe there were local trains that went across the Bay Bridge also. I recall my parents and relatives who lived there then saying that it was two way for cars on the upper level and the trains ran on the lower level.
Yes, trucks, trains and streetcars used the lower deck while passenger vehicles(Both Eastbound and Westbound) used the upper deck.

http://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2009/03/03/ba-Bay_Bridge_PH_0499850362.jpg (broken link)
http://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2009/03/03/ba-Bay_Bridge_PH_0499850362.jpg (broken link)

http://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2009/03/03/ba-Bay_Bridge_PH_0499850375.jpg (broken link)
http://imgs.sfgate.com/c/pictures/2009/03/03/ba-Bay_Bridge_PH_0499850375.jpg (broken link)
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Old 05-07-2011, 11:10 PM
 
Location: Los Altos Hills, CA
36,660 posts, read 67,564,755 times
Reputation: 21249
Pics from the Old Key System

http://homepage.mac.com/lpetrich/www...System_Map.gif


http://www.ibabuzz.com/transportatio...etcar-1954.jpg

http://m1.ikiwq.com/img/xl/4LZOZRUNkG34zIbnKnQUDc.jpg (broken link)
http://m1.ikiwq.com/img/xl/4LZOZRUNkG34zIbnKnQUDc.jpg (broken link)


http://www.keyrailpix.org/gallery2/d..._Bway_18_B.jpg

A streetcar on Macarthur Bl leaving the Dimond District(right next to the Altenheim)

http://www.davesrailpix.com/keysyst/jpg/key074.jpg

On 38th Avenue in East Oakland

http://www.davesrailpix.com/keysyst/jpg/key076.jpg

On 14th Avenue running alongside Highland Hospital

http://www.davesrailpix.com/keysyst/jpg/key078.jpg

Accident on 38th Av and E.14th(now known as Intl). Right where that store called Ciudad De Mexico is currently located.

http://www.davesrailpix.com/keysyst/jpg/key091.jpg

Broadway at Howe(by Kaiser Hospital)

http://www.davesrailpix.com/keysyst/jpg/key095.jpg
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