All posts by andy

Bay Area

Caltrain cancels mobile app

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October 31 is the last day the Caltrain mobile app can be used to pay for train fares and parking at Caltrain stations. After that date, the app will no longer operate because the contract between Caltrain and the app provider will expire and not be renewed for several reasons.

One major reason for the non-renewal is that, as part of an agreement with MTC to support Clipper 2.0, individual transit agencies must discontinue separate ticketing apps that compete with Clipper. The new version of Clipper will offer features such as tap-and-ride with contactless debit and credit cards, recently implemented by BART, as well as transfer discounts between transit agencies. However, the Clipper 2.0 project has been delayed overall.

Even with Clipper 2.0, some features of the old app will not be replicated, such as the ability to purchase tickets for groups—including families—especially those eligible for discount categories like youth, seniors, and people with disabilities. Riders in these categories must apply for a personalized discounted Clipper card to receive discounts on Clipper; otherwise, discounts will not apply, though they can still board buses or Caltrain and pay discounted fares. Without the app or Clipper, these riders can purchase discounted paper tickets from ticket vending machines at stations.

The app has also been used for parking payments at Caltrain stations. Starting in November, parking payments at Caltrain stations can be made with the ParkMobile App or by paying at a ticket vending machine.

Uncategorized

DART opens Silver Line connecting Plano and DFW

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On October 25, Dallas Area Rapid Transit opened the new Silver Line regional rail, connecting Plano and DFW via the 26-mile historic Cotton Belt right of way. This crosstown route does not serve Downtown Dallas but provides service to cities like Addison, which previously lacked rail access, and connects others along a more circumferential path.

Unlike the rest of DART’s rail lines, the Silver Line uses Stadler FLIRT diesel multiple units, similar to those on TEXRail and the Arrow Line in San Bernardino. The Silver Line shares tracks and connects with TEXRail at DFW. These diesel multiple units meet FRA alternative compliance standards and feature level boarding at all doors.

Service will run every 30 minutes during weekday peak hours and hourly during off-peak times and on weekends. Service will be free until November 8, after which regular fares will apply.

Bay Area

Richmond-San Rafael bridge to close bike/ped path on Monday-Thursday

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Following a decision by the Bay Area Toll Authority, and despite opposition from cycling advocates, a bike and pedestrian path that was previously open 24/7 since 2019 will now only be accessible from Thursday afternoon through Sunday night. The path, located on the upper deck of the bridge, is protected by a movable concrete barrier, similar to those on the Golden Gate Bridge that separate northbound and southbound automobile traffic. Before the path opens or after it closes, a zipper truck moves the barrier to or from the side of the bridge. The current plan aims to create an emergency shoulder for disabled vehicles, helping to smooth traffic during commute times. In the long term, this emergency shoulder could be converted into a high-occupancy lane.

The decision is controversial because it limits bike and pedestrian access to the bridge, even if only part-time, while advocacy groups are working to expand such access on other bridges, like the Bay Bridge West Span, that currently lack it. Critics argue that BATA and MTC should not prioritize more cars due to automobile-related pollution. However, not everyone shares this view; many Richmond residents believe improving automobile traffic on the bridge will enhance job opportunities and improve social equity. The weekday bike traffic over the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge is less than one-third of the weekend traffic. On weekends, 30 to 50 bikes can cross the bridge during the busiest hour, whereas weekday bike traffic remains in the single digits. The plan preserves the ability to cross the bridge by bike on weekends, mainly for recreational purposes.

As a mitigation measure, a free bike shuttle will be implemented during daytime from Monday morning through Thursday afternoon.

Bay Area, Chicago

Chicago’s Metra to introduce café car

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This week, Metra is introducing the café car, a prototype service with half a gallery car converted into café-style seating and tables. During the trial period, snacks and drinks will be offered for free as riders complete an onboard survey. The car will rotate among different diesel lines throughout the fall. Metra aims to determine whether this is a viable method to boost ridership.

Onboard cafés are common on intercity trains, offering food and beverage service for long journeys, as well as on ferries. However, onboard food sales are uncommon on commuter or regional trains. In the Bay Area, Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit featured a food and beverage service counter on all trains. Sales were available before the COVID pandemic, but the service has not resumed since.

Controversially, Amtrak San Joaquins’ intercity service dropped café car service in May 2025 in favor of complimentary snacks and drinks. The main reason for dropping the service was the introduction of single-level Venture cars that lacked such features. While bi-levels are still operated on the line, café car service is not available to ensure consistent food service across all trains, regardless of train type. Despite being freely available to all passengers, some consider the food options unsatisfactory for long journeys. Additionally, without café cars, adult passengers cannot purchase nor consume alcohol.