iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Streetsblog L.A. @streetsblogla.bsky.social · 3h

Metro has a new boardmember: Santa Clarita Mayor Pro Tem Patsy Ayala. See thread for live-tweeting of today's City Selection Committee meeting which unanimously approved Ayala.

075

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 5h

* Should be all but 1 bill, SB 1425 did pass as noted in the article

090

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 5h

Frustrated with the slow progress on CAHSR? Apparently the California legislature isn't, given all bills to speed up progress died this year. Why isn't California's signature infrastructure project a priority? calmatters.org/politics/202...

calmatters.org

California’s high-speed rail authority made a legislative wishlist. It mostly stalled out

California’s bullet train agency said timely construction of the rail line depended on these reforms. They mostly failed.

48528

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 6h

Happening tonight! Come discuss the Future of Rail at Koret Auditorium in the SF Main Library!

050

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Nolan Hicks @ndhapple.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The tunnel needs to get built and the line needs to be electrified to make the tunnel practical.

411914

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Cambridge H. Lutèce @camlutece.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Southern Pacific #332 waits for passengers at the Thousand Oaks Wye in Albany, by Solano Avenue — c. 1934 The intersection of Colusa & Solano Ave. was a junction and terminal for two S.P. interurban lines. A small waiting room and crew shack could be found, amidst the bustling city of Albany.

3507

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 28/09/2026

The LOSSAN corridor is under threat once again this winter from El Niño. But one word is strikingly absent from this discussion: relocation. Will upcoming extreme weather finally be enough for the state to take action on moving the tracks off the beach?

24811

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 28/09/2026

SF, close out transit month with a discussion about the future of rail in San Francisco. Learn about Bayview Caltrain, The Portal, Link21, Geary Subway, and more at 5:30 this Wednesday, 9/30 at the SF Main Library luma.com/tbrr62n7

luma.com

The Future of San Francisco Rail Projects · Luma

Advocates will present on the future service vision for San Francisco rail, including the full map of projects (DTX and Link21, Central Subway Extension, Geary…

0122

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 26/09/2026

We had a packed house last night for Transit Costs Reform Happy Hour LA! We're building a movement for abundant transit we can afford. Thanks to @nickandert.bsky.social for helping make this happen.

Dozens of people listening to Nick Andert speak

Packed room of people listening to Nick Andert speak

0607

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Nick Andert @nickandert.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Thanks to @calelectricrail.org for hosting a great event! The brewery space at union station is awesome for this sort of thing.

0481

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 26/09/2026

We got a bunch of people in Sacramento-Davis working on this! @taylorscheinuk.com

190

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Alex Pawlowski @apawlows.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Transit enthusiasts assseemblleeeee

Mezzanine of everywhere beer with folks sitting down before transit event starts

1141

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Stan Oklobdzija @stano.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

@nickandert.bsky.social breaking it down at the @calelectricrail.org event at Union Station right now.

2634

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 26/09/2026

If you're coming to the Transit Costs Reform happy hour in LA, we are upstairs in the Mezzanine! Come right in, grab a drink at the bar, and head upstairs.

1161

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 25/09/2026

Board members Barger and Trembley asked detailed questions about the report. SBCTA representatives Márquez and Dutrey expressed support for the hydrogen pilot. Chair Chaffey expressed his strong opposition to hydrogen.

080

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 25/09/2026

We had 6 people here in person speaking against a hydrogen pilot - way more than Metrolink typically has. Metrolink did not vote on a hydrogen pilot and is not taking immediate action. The big question is whether the state will cover the extra costs associated with the H2 pilot.

160

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Transform California @transformca.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

If Measure RTM doesn’t pass, it won’t only affect traffic—it will increase carbon dioxide emission levels and annual transportation costs for displaced riders by the $thousands$, and reduce station access for hundreds of thousands of people. Save public transit. Vote #YesOnRTM

0146

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 25/09/2026

More than 500 letters! Thanks for taking action.

1193

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 25/09/2026

We've had more than 500 letters, thank you so much for taking action! The meeting is about to start, so if you haven't sent a letter, there's no need - the period of peak impact is over.

070

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 25/09/2026

Yes, we will be in a venue with no sound amplification and we will not be able to hear if the cap is exceeded.

000

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 23/09/2026

The Antelope Valley Line WILL be electrified by CA High-Speed Rail, which could be funded almost entirely by an EIFD without raising taxes. Electrify the AVL to accelerate high-speed rail! data.streetsforall.org/blog/cahsr_e...

data.streetsforall.org

How LA County can fund High Speed Rail projects in the County with no new taxes

By building an in-house EIFD model, we show how LA County could capture tens of billions in new revenue to fund high speed rail to Union Station while being revenue positive.

1263

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 23/09/2026

There's a better way: electrification! Our Electrolink paper shows that overhead electrification on the San Bernardino and Antelope Valley lines would cut travel times by 33% and 20%, respectively, while reducing operating costs and increasing frequency. calelectricrail.org/electrolink-...

Graph comparing driving time, Metrolink time, and electrolink time for the SBL. A trip from San Bernardino to LAUS goes from 106 to 70 min, while a Las Vegas to LA trip via Brightline West and a transfer would be 183 minutes

1161

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 23/09/2026

Despite all these drawbacks, there's still a proposal for a hydrogen pilot. Optimistically service would start 2030 - and that ignores the inevitable wait for gap funding that comes with our patchwork funding system. 4+ years wasted on a technology we know is sub-par.

Pilot implementation schedule. Environmental clearance would start this year, with revenue service in 2030

Potential MU Pilot Program Services. 3 routes from LAUS-Burbank airport, LAUS- Van Nuys, and LAUS-Montclair are shown overlaid on the Metrolink system map.

1151

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 23/09/2026

Hydrogen trains come at a high operating cost. The only configuration with enough capacity for current ridership (8-car) would cost twice as much per mile to operate as the status quo. Metrolink is currently slashing service due to a deficit - higher costs are the last thing we need.

Figure ES-1 O&M Cost (Crew Labor, Fuel, and Vehicle maintenence) per train revenue mile.
LHC (current): $41
ZEMU (4-car) $44-54
ZEMU (5-car) $48-61
ZEMU (8-car) $80-101

1131

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 23/09/2026

Metrolink released a study finding hydrogen trains would reduce capacity and travel times at a large cost - but are still considering a pilot anyway. Take action and tell Metrolink to study electrification, not pilot hydrogen THIS Friday! #Electrify Metrolink actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...

actionnetwork.org

Tell Metrolink say no to hydrogen pilots and commit to electrification

Metrolink is hearing the results of a study on the feasibility of running hydrogen multiple unit (ZEMU) trains on the San Bernardino and Antelope Valley Line trains. The results of the study are now i...

38325

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Transform California @transformca.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

430,000 people could lose easy access to BART or Caltrain if the agencies hit their fiscal cliff and are forced to close stations. The good news: it's preventable. Help us pass these measures by volunteering this week! luma.com/connectbayarea

0104

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Rowan Compton @rowancompton.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

i ❤️ electric rail

071

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 24/09/2026

Pleased to report that we are AT CAPACITY for this event! Guess we'll just have to organize another one in the future.

050

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 23/09/2026

Hydrogen trains are also perceived as the cheaper and easier "zero-emissions" train tech due to CA's difficulty building infrastructure on budget. But they're not actually zero-emissions and as this thread shows, come with lots of hidden costs.

0100

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 23/09/2026

Back in 2022 CA made a policy of promoting hydrogen trains to develop the tech for big-rig trucks (and some would say to please the fossil fuel lobby). So there were a lot of incentives for hydrogen that still persist, zombie-like, to this day. More in this blog: calelectricrail.org/caltrans-hyd...

calelectricrail.org

Caltrans’ Hydrogen Strategy Goes Down in Flames – Californians for Electric Rail

290

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 23/09/2026

Rather than throwing money away at a doomed hydrogen pilot, Metrolink should redirect the AVL's $8.5M to a detailed electrification study that could be used to acquire construction funding. Send an email and show up in person on Friday at 10 to let the board know! actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...

actionnetwork.org

Tell Metrolink say no to hydrogen pilots and commit to electrification

1130

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 23/09/2026

data.streetsforall.org

How LA County can fund High Speed Rail projects in the County with no new taxes

By building an in-house EIFD model, we show how LA County could capture tens of billions in new revenue to fund high speed rail to Union Station while being revenue positive.

1263

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 23/09/2026

1161

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 23/09/2026

1151

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 23/09/2026

Metrolink did the study because Metro has $8.5M for a zero-emissions pilot on the Antelope Valley Line. But the study says even a pilot would cost $19M, while a full implementation would be more than $1B. Gavin just killed TIRCP. Don't spend money you don't have for tech that degrades service!

1120

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 23/09/2026

1131

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 23/09/2026

Running hydrogen trains on the Antelope Valley Line would result in slower schedules and less than 30 minute frequencies, because the hydrogen trains are less power and would struggle going uphill. In tunnels, they might need to further slow the trains to avoid risk of explosion.

1160

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 23/09/2026

No configuration of the hydrogen FLIRTS (ZEMUs) has enough capacity for pre-pandemic ridership, and most are too small to fit even current peak San Bernardino Line Ridership. Running these on the SBL is planning for reduced ridership.

Graphs showing average weekday load by train for westbound and eastbound SBL. Lines show interim (current) Metrolink ridership, full recovery (2019) Metrolink ridership, and ridership with Brightline, compared to the capacity of a 4-car FLIRT, 5-car FLIRT, 8-car FLIRT, and 6-car LHC (current locomotive setup). Only the 8 car FLIRT can meet current peak service, while none of the FLIRT options meet pre-pandemic or Brightline service.

1170

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 23/09/2026

The study examined hydrogen FLIRT multiple units like those in use on the Arrow, or the 10 the state purchased at high cost without a clear end use using dubious methodology. calelectricrail.org/caltrans-hyd...

hydrogen FLIRT train with a bunch of colored squares above it evoking fire

1120

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 23/09/2026

actionnetwork.org

Tell Metrolink say no to hydrogen pilots and commit to electrification

38325

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Avery the Cuban-American @averythecuban625.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

106 trains per day....in comparison, the LIRR, which serves a pop of over 8 million (around 3 mil in Nassau and Suffolk), sees 947 DAILY TRAINS on 319 route miles (about 160 route miles electrified) operating 24/7. Average 862 riders per mile and 330K weekday riders in Q2 2026 and it shows.

1181

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Randolph Ruiz @aaaarchitecture.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Everyone supportive of transit in California should watch this. I have a lot of respect for the expertise Nick has developed on transit project delivery. He is a great communicator and believes better things are possible. I hope his work makes an impact.

05213

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Robert Prinz @prinzrob.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

These types of transit service cuts are tantamount to surrendering to climate change. It doesn’t have to be this way, vote #YesOnRTM & volunteer now to multiply your impact. Opportunities every day here: luma.com/connectbayarea

Map of BART station closures if transit measure fails

“EXHIBIT 3
Potential Muni Cuts: Headaches for Riders and Only Temporary Cost Savings
Route cuts and reduced service hours would save Muni money in the short term but would also lower fare revenues and therefore are no fix for the agency's fiscal woes.
Source: SFMTA.
Photos: Sergio Ruiz.
CUT UP TO 20 MUNI
ROUTES
Corridors with multiple routes, downtown express, hilltop and nelghborhood connections
$70M-$150M
DOUBLE WAIT
TIMES
Metro train service, Rapid and
Frequent routes
END REGULAR
SERVICE AT 9 P.M.
Limited Owl network only from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
REDUCE OR CUT HISTORIC SERVICE
3 cable cars lines and F Market &
Wharves streetcars
$30M-$80M
$30M
$70M-$140M”

14310

Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail

Robert Prinz @prinzrob.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

SPUR’s new report details how catastrophic it will be for Bay Area transit riders if the public transit funding Measure RTM fails. But drivers will feel it too, w an estimated doubling of Bay Bridge crossing times and more than 3X longer through the Caldecott Tunnel. www.spur.org/sites/defaul...

“The Bay Area's Top Three Highway Bottlenecks After Potential Transit Cuts
The Bay Bridge, Caldecott Tunnel, and I-680 in Walnut Creek/Concord would experience some of the most significant travel delays in both directions if looming cuts to transit service are not prevented.
Bay Bridge
+33
MINUTES
A.M. PEAK
+43
MINUTES
P.M. PEAK
Caldecott
Tunnel
+20
MINUTES
A.M. PEAK
+27
MINUTES
P.M. PEAK
1-680
(Walnut Creek/Concord)
+15
MINUTES
A.M. PEAK
+20
MINUTES
P.M. PEAK”

“EXHIBIT 4
Traffic Delays at Most
Current Highway
Bottlenecks Would
Double With Proposed
Transit Service Cuts
Line and station closures and reduced service frequency would compel transit users to drive, worsening current highway bottlenecks.
Source: SPUR-Jacobs.”

59539

Californians for Electric Rail @calelectricrail.org · 22/09/2026

Could be Metrolink! But instead, service is getting slashed, through-running (LinkUS) is endlessly delayed. And OCTA board members blame agencies like SEPTA for the fiscal cliff for "failure to react to ridership realities"

091