A new name for a popular bike sharing program. A reopening date for the rebuilt Transbay Terminal is revealed. A better group calendar. One of our members starts an online group for Highway 17 Express Bus riders. Finally, our newest member gets commended by a San Jose City Council member.
Read on more details…
A New Name For Ford GoBikes
On Tuesday, NBC Bay Area reported that Lyft re-branded Ford GoBikes as “Baywheels” due to user complaints on how the Ford GoBikes name sounded “too corporate.” The story also mentions that San Jose is the first to receive the re-branded bikes, which are black with pink bicycle rims.
The report also mentioned the re-branded bikes can be placed in a docking station, or locked to other bicycle racks. Cost details for the bikes are as follows:
The bikes start at $2 per ride, and support the “Bikeshare for All” program, which offers $5 annual membership based on income and currently includes over 4,200 San Jose residents. Last week, Lyft also became the first company to be officially permitted in San Jose for its electric scooters.
There are 40 bike docking stations in downtown San Jose, with more being planned.
Salesforce Transit Center Reopens July 1*
Also on Tuesday, ABC 7 News Bay Area reported that the Salesforce Transit Center in San Francisco will reopen July 1. The announcement came days after an NBC Bay Area investigative report revealed “at least three areas of weld defects and steel inconsistencies” during inspections of 50 different types of welded connections.
That same ABC 7 News Bay Area report quoted a statement from the Transbay Joint Powers Authority (TJPA) detailing how services will use San Francisco’s rebuilt transit center:
- The rooftop park, Grand Hall, and public art installations will be available on July 1.
- San Francisco MUNI and Golden Gate Transit will provide bus service from the street level plaza in “early July.”
- AC Transit’s 26 Transbay bus lines, Greyhound and Westcat Lynx anticipate service from the bus deck to resume in late summer 2019 following operator training and rider notice.
The Salesforce Transit Center was closed on September 26, 2018 due to a crack found in a steel beam supporting the Center’s rooftop garden. According to the San Francisco Examiner, the closure occurred one month after the $2.2 billion Transit Center opened its doors to the public.
As you observe this and other public transit projects in the Bay Area, read and learn why Bay Area rail projects cost so much – and what can be done about it.
Return Of the Calendar
A newer, better events calendar is now available. Check it out in our revised Calendar page.
New Highway 17 Express Riders Group
Take the Highway 17 Express bus between San Jose and Santa Cruz (or vice versa)? Group member Michael Anthony created a new Yahoo! Group for you. This Yahoo! group is open to the public. Mr. Anthony’s first post describes recent mechanical issues which have delayed Highway 17 express bus service.
And finally…
Commendation For Our Newest Member
It was my honor to award @monicamallon a commendation tonight for her outstanding advocacy to build a more seamless, world class public transportation system right here in Silicon Valley. Thank you for caring about our community, Monica! pic.twitter.com/mrETKrotzK
— Pam Foley (@PamFoleyD9) June 12, 2019
Pictured second from left is our newest member, Monica Mallon of San Jose. She’s leading the effort to prevent VTA from ending the 65 bus line between North San Jose and Almaden Valley. We will have more on what YOU can do to help save the 65 bus line in a future post.
Epilogue
That’s all for now. Want to talk to me in person? I’ll be in East San Jose Saturday morning at the En Movimiento community meeting. See you then.
Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users