Link Sunnyhills to BART/LRT/transit center with city-wide PRT

Personal Rapid Transit (PRT)

The Sunnyhills Neighborhood Association (SNA) wants a PRT feeder from their neighborhood in northern Milpitas to the Great Mall Transit Center (LRT, buses and future BART) at the South end 3.5 miles away. PRT is a new technology, so it makes sense to start small. A simple PRT "ferry" using a minimal system of two stations and a loop connecting them could be constructed and used to safely "ferry" people over the railroad tracks. People get on at one station and ride safely to the other station.

You Can Help

In addition to foundation funding, SNA is inviting $5 pledges from people who are willing to back this "ferry" with $5 of their own money. After the first $45,000 in grant funding is secured, we'll return to those who pledged $5 to collect. Your pledge will demonstrate the public support which makes the grant funding part even easier. If you'd like to participate in this experiment in democracy, contact Rob Means at 408-262-0420 or rob.means@electric-bikes.com. You can also print the pledge form at www.electric-bikes.com/prt-survey-2.htm

Individual - pledge $5 toward EIR.

Organizations - pledge $100 toward EIR (e.g. either or both BTAC and City Council)

Why PRT?

PRT is faster than existing mass transit, with no waiting, and doesn't interfere with auto traffic like light rail and buses do. It's also energy-efficient, quiet, and environmentally friendly! Automated PRT provides 24/7 service, which is especially important for lower-income households. It costs so much less to operate than bus, BART and LRT that many projections anticipate PRT farebox revenue to pay for all operations and maintenance costs -- and still have some left over to expand the system.

SNA, citing cost and service advantages of a PRT feeder system, has been recommending since 2003 that the City implement a 10-mile PRT system for about half the cost of a second BART station. SNA joins a growing list of citizen groups across the U.S. that are asking government officials to seriously study the opportunities afforded by this new transportation technology. In Santa Cruz, they want a PRT link between UCSC, downtown, and the Boardwalk. In Palo Alto, Cities21 thinks PRT is the "silver bullet" for transportation problems in the Stanford Research Park.

Email us
rob.means@electric-bikes.com

More about PRT

Proposed routing and stations for 10-mile, 20-station PRT feeder
Introduction to PRT: designs, economics, benefits, etc.
in-depth PRT information and links
Full-scale model of PRT guideway and cab displayed locally
Citizens for Personal Rapid Transit (CPRT)
Proposed BART-PRT plan for 1/2 the price of San Jose-to-BART