Exploration of Concepts - Identifying Travel Solutions for a Better Future
After initial data gathering, technical studies and stakeholder input, Link21 began development of high-level concepts in early 2022. The building blocks of Link21 concepts include: markets, service, train technology, and infrastructure. Each concept has a new train crossing between Oakland and San Francisco, new and improved stations, enhanced service, and potential infrastructure needed to accommodate that service.
Exploration has included several rounds of analysis and stakeholder/public input on concepts for two different train technologies in the crossing: standard-gauge (Regional Rail) or broad-gauge (BART).
Concept assessment is guided by the Link21 Business Case, a framework that established the problem statement, Link21 vision, program and goal objectives and evaluation criteria. In this early stage of planning, the focus area is the Strategic Case that seeks to determine how each concept with specific train technology and associated service improvements advance Link21’s Goals and Objectives.
Analysis findings have demonstrated that each train technology offers similarities and differences to be taken into consideration. These findings are helping Link21 identify options that will help transform the train system within the Megaregion - creating improved service and community connections as envisioned by the California State Rail Plan, Plan Bay Area 2050, and Link21. The Program is nearing a decision on which train technology in the crossing will move forward for further study. As part of that focused planning, concept options will be further explored, including track alignments and station improvements to identify a Proposed Project to advance into the next phase of work, Environmental Review.
Example Concept Maps to Help Understand Trade-offs
Below are two sample high-level maps that visually represent the existing and potential future planned infrastructure for the train system with proposed improvement options as part of Link21. See additional concept maps at the bottom of this page.
Example: Standard-gauge (Regional Rail) in the Crossing
Standard-gauge tracks will connect Regional Rail service on the San Francisco Peninsula to the East Bay and larger Megaregion for the first time including:
- New Urban | Metro service at new & designated existing stations that only offer Intercity | Express service today
- Improved travel times & more direct megaregional trips
Standard-gauge in the crossing creates opportunities for a better transfer between BART and Regional Rail in Oakland and allows two different service types and multiple operators to use the new crossing.
Example: Broad-gauge (BART) in the Crossing
BART-gauge tracks in the new crossing will provide more service within the existing BART network including:
- New stations with Urban | Metro service & improved Urban | Metro service at existing stations
- Increased frequency of service on East Bay BART lines
- New Oakland transfer between BART & Regional Rail near Jack London Square
Broad-gauge in the crossing increases the number of trains that run throughout the existing BART system and would allow trains to use either crossing which provides service redundancy and reduced future crowding as the Megaregion population continues to grow.
What We've Learned – BART and Regional Rail Service Can Work Better Together with Link21
Regardless of which technology is in the crossing, Link21 could:
- Meet travel demand with a single two track crossing between San Francisco & Oakland by 2050
- Allow for uninterrupted transbay rail service if one crossing goes out of service
- Improve service reliability and transbay redundancy with a new crossing
- Enable increased train frequency that can grow ridership — must be balanced with operating costs & larger fleet
- Provide benefits to priority populations across the network in different ways
- Reduce traffic on Bay Bridge (one of most congested corridors in Northern California)
- Create improved / new transfers between BART and Regional Rail service to save travel time
- Provide additional urban | metro service (like BART today frequent and fast, timely)
- Enable Extended Hours on BART (Requires policy decision/action by BART Board)
More About Link21 Concepts
Concepts demonstrate new tracks (thick lines) connecting to existing tracks (thin lines), transfer opportunities, new potential stations, and improved existing stations. Each concept allows for a variety of service improvements to transform future train travel.
Standard-gauge (Regional Rail) Train Technology in the Crossing
Broad-gauge (BART) Train Technology in the Crossing
Concept A Regional Rail Salesforce Transit Center via Alameda
Service Benefits
- Offers both Urban | Metro and Intercity | Express service on Regional Rail tracks
- Includes a Central Oakland connection to BART resulting in additional travel time savings between communities along the Capitol Corridor route from the Sacramento Area to East Bay and Downtown San Francisco
- Creates new train connection in West Oakland (transfer between Regional Rail & multiple BART lines
- Provides new access to train service in Alameda
- Serves the Salesforce Transit Center, offering riders an easy trip to the Peninsula/Silicon Valley