From the Email Inbox: Metrolink Station

Dear Gramps: Please Post:

It would serve the Citizens Represented by SANBAG to go ahead and build the Highgrove Metrolink Station with or without Riverside Transportations Participation. Here is why.

At a MINIMUM it would transfer the parking requirements of 118 cars from the San Bernardino Station or the Riverside Station. That is a good thing. How much is being spent in San Bernardino to squeeze out a few more parking spaces? We could look at the Highgrove Station as a Parking lot annex for the San Bernardino Station as it would relive some of the current demand for parking. However, it is flawed logic to base a decision on the 118 current commuters as being the target market.

The real target market begins with the current riders 118 in number. It also should include all those potential riders who say, "If I have to drive to Riverside or San Bernardino fight for parking, I may as well drive all the way to work", drivers. It should also include the new residents in the added housing being finished. It should also include riders back and forth to the beach on weekends, and short trips to Riverside Locations not just commuters to Orange County or LA. How many of us avoid going to Riverside because of the traffic? Count me in that group. Would I ride the MetroLink if it were going that way. YES about 2 times a month. I do not make those trips now. I don't go to Riverside, I avoid the wonderful experience of the traffic.

Better collaboration between RTA and SanBag and Metro Link would provide a Bus that links the Riverside and San Bernardino Stations along Mt. Vernon and Iowa ST at times that a rider in Highgrove or Grand Terrace could make the early trains to work in LA or Orange County.

Ridership would increase at night if the Orange County Line had a train that would provide Guests and Cast Members of Disneyland a ride home after DPark Closes... Bus 149 works for "Normal Business Hours" IF you live in Riverside. But, if you live in Highgrove there is no way to depend on catching a connecting bus/train combo to get to work in Orange County.

WHY should we care. In this case, IF THEY BUILD IT THEY WILL COME WORKS. Travel along the rail stations, and stops. Parking is full, ridership is up. IF people are riding the train, they are not on the Freeway. IF people are riding the train, they are safer. IF people are riding the train it is a better use of resources. IF People are riding the train, we are more interconnected as a community. (Regular commuters develop a community relationship).

So the decision should not be limited to the failed logic it may only serve 118 riders.

If 118 riders use Highrove Station, that allows 118 more riders at either San Bernardino or Riverside so that is 236 riders. That is just the beginning of the reason to have a train stop and parking lot in Highgrove to facilitate improved transportation between the two counties. What are the implementation phases. A boarding ramp and a parking lot... Not exactly high tech or high cost. Think of the cost of a Parking Structure at Riverside, or San Bernardino in contrast. If Highgrove is Built the need or urgency to build Parking Structures at Riverside or San Bernardino may be offset.

How many folks would rather take a train to Castle Park or TYLER MALL? OR at least part way and hop onto a connecting bus? I'd hand in my car if I could buy a State Wide Public Transportation Pass good on all public transit... That is too far out of the Box, but a train station in Highgrove with improved bus connections is within reach and reasonable.

What troubles me most is that SanBag and RTA have unanswered questions at this point. What information is now required? Lets get it to them. Perhaps a Boy Scout working on their Badges could help them out. 2000 more homes, will bring 4000 more cars. Most will be joining the morning commute on the 215. That is a fact that should not be missed by Riverside or San Bernardino Transportation Planners.