California - SFO's people mover opens to public

SFO's people mover opens to public

SFO -- The people mover railway that ferries passengers and workers around San Francisco International Airport is finally running and open to the public today after a number of setbacks, including a multi-million dollar collision, delayed the system's opening for several months.

The AirTrain rail system, which links SFO's domestic and international terminals, the airport's rental car center, the BART extension terminal, and short term airport parking, opened unceremoniously Monday at 1 p.m., when officials removed the barricades to the train platforms.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/02/25/airtrain.DTL

SFO People Mover Finally Opens
http://www.kron4.com/Global/story.asp?S=1151125

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">The people mover railway that ferries passengers and workers around San Francisco International Airport is finally running and open to the public today after a number of setbacks, including a multi-million dollar collision, delayed the system's opening for several months.</font>

Includes video clip (Windows Media Player required).

Is the BART terminal linked to the subway system downtown?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Chiangi:
Is the BART terminal linked to the subway system downtown?</font>


Here's an excerpt from the sfgate article (dated 2/25) that cblaisd references:

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
The BART extension to SFO that shares a station with the airport's AirTrain will not be open to riders for a little while longer, with officials declining to set an expected date for its completion.

BART spokesman Mike Healy said today that the extension, which also includes new stations in South San Francisco, San Bruno and Millbrae, is 98 percent ready, the same figure given in early January. Healy did say that the new BART stations should be operational before summer.

The BART extension was originally projected to open at the end of 2002, but the contractor fell behind due to the cumulative effect of weather delays and endangered snakes found in the construction area, Healy said.
</font>

The BART service will operate from SFO to/from downtown with no transfers required.

In downtown San Francisco, BART is located one level below MUNI, which is the subway/light rail service that operates in the City. The two transit services share locations at Civic Center, Powell St., Montgomery St., and Embarcadero.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Chiangi:
Is the BART terminal linked to the subway system downtown?</font>



[This message has been edited by snorkmaster (edited 02-26-2003).]

SFO's people mover up and running unofficially
Trains carry people around terminals, to rental cars
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/02/26/BA202870.DTL

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Travelers arriving at San Francisco International Airport can now step off the plane and onto the train. But that train is not BART; it's AirTrain, SFO's automated people mover that only travels a five-mile circuit in and around the airport.

While an opening date still has not been set for BART's extension to the airport's international terminal, SFO officials quietly took down the barricades Monday afternoon and unofficially opened AirTrain to the public while workers put on the finishing touches.</font>

Get A Sneak Peek At SFO's AirTrain
http://www.kron4.com/Global/story.asp?S=1157786

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">The wait is over. The much-anticipated AirTrain at SFO is now up and running, but how does the new people-transportation system work?</font>

Includes video clip (Windows Media Player required).

Thank you, wideman and snorkmaster. I saw the train myself at SFO the other day. Pretty neat. http://www.flyertalk.com/airports/ftairports_forum/smile.gif

I was bummed to be at the airport about 9:30 a.m. Monday and find it not open yet. Hoping to check it out on Friday. From what I've heard you get some pretty nice views.

From the car rental facility to the UA/AA stop, the people mover takes FOREVER. This is because it makes a huge number of stops...car rental, on the way to the airport, int'l terminal parking S, int'l terminal S, south terminal, central terminal (!--this one isn't currently used), north terminal -- it only goes in one direction.

Furthermore, each stop seems to last forever.

Maybe it would be faster if one got off at int'l terminal parking S and took the train in the other direction, which just goes around the airport -- that would be 3 stops (int'l terminal parking N, int'l terminal N, north terminal).

Wonder where the stop that matches BART will be when that opens?

I'm just curious how long "Forever" is in actual time? Also, on the "bright side", the UA side should get to the rental car facility fast http://www.flyertalk.com/airports/ftairports_forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Wonder where the stop that matches BART will be when that opens?[/B]</font>
Garage G.
http://www.flysfo.com/guide_nonflash/airportinfo/airtrain-map.htm

Was at SFO yesterday, took the Tram to the Rental Car stop. I hope they are working on the signage, because there were quite a few of confused passengers not knowing where to go, what to do, when to board, etc. There was this guy who apparently knew where he was going, bunch of us just followed him around. (Then he told us he was lost the first time he was there too.)

It was really nice, and impressive. We got on the 'blue' tram, didn't take 'forever' but may be 10 minutes to reach rental car.

I still find it ridiculous that you have to pay additional $12.00 so called transportation fee http://www.flyertalk.com/airports/ftairports_forum/rolleyes.gif if you rent a car at SFO or SJC. Wonder if any other airports are doing the same?

Other airprots do have transportation fees.

Also, I believe there was considerable airline opposition to the AirTrain, and the only way the airport could get it approved was by passing the cost on directly to passengers. Certainly, $12 is high, but the system cost $430M + will incur ongoing operating costs...perhaps that sheds some light on the situation.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by belle3388:
Was at SFO yesterday, took the Tram to the Rental Car stop. I hope they are working on the signage, because there were quite a few of confused passengers not knowing where to go, what to do, when to board, etc. There was this guy who apparently knew where he was going, bunch of us just followed him around. (Then he told us he was lost the first time he was there too.)

It was really nice, and impressive. We got on the 'blue' tram, didn't take 'forever' but may be 10 minutes to reach rental car.

I still find it ridiculous that you have to pay additional $12.00 so called transportation fee http://www.flyertalk.com/airports/ftairports_forum/rolleyes.gif if you rent a car at SFO or SJC. Wonder if any other airports are doing the same?</font>

So, it looks to me as if one can jump on the People mover to get from T3 to T1, yes? I have a connection from UA to US on Saturday; is this the recommended form of transporation, or would it be better to walk?

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Bob
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> You only live once -- but if you work it right, once is enough.

Joe E. Lewis
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I haven't taken the AirTrain, but the walk isn't that bad -- 10 minutes tops. You can walk through the International Terminal at eat something in one of two food courts on the way (as you discussed in your other thread.)

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by AZ_MISMAN:
So, it looks to me as if one can jump on the People mover to get from T3 to T1, yes? I have a connection from UA to US on Saturday; is this the recommended form of transporation, or would it be better to walk?

</font>

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RichardInSF:
From the car rental facility to the UA/AA stop, the people mover takes FOREVER. This is because it makes a huge number of stops...car rental, on the way to the airport, int'l terminal parking S, int'l terminal S, south terminal, central terminal (!--this one isn't currently used), north terminal -- it only goes in one direction.

Furthermore, each stop seems to last forever.
</font>

I am allowing 1/2 hour from the time I get my checked baggage to the time I get ti the rental counter.

-5 minutes to AirTrain Station to board.
(down escaltor, walk through underpass, elevator up to 1st floor of AirTrain Station, wheel bag up loooong wheelchair ramp OR pull it up two 1/2 flights of stairs.)

-3-5 minutes til a Train comes along

-2 minutes to board Train

-20 minutes on Train to Rental Terminal.

(Note: Perhaps less depending on where you board and if you hit the trains just so.)

It has taken me 30 minutes to reach the Airport Terminals, as well.




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"Ummm... just decaf for me, please."