Is SFO Doomed?
#31
Join Date: Apr 2014
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From the median East Bay location, as mentioned above, best case scenario SFO is only 15-20 min further than OAK (plus bridge toll if driving). On BART, generally 20-30 min further. I guess it's "easier" from some places (at some times) because it can be a one seat BART ride, but in most every other circumstance, it's not easier or faster.
#32
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The problem in the bay area is the tribalism and the fragmented management of the infrastructure - not just airport infrastructure. In a perfect world, OAK and SFO would be connected by a 20-25-min ferry, which would allow for the two airports to operate as an airport system. Given how the current management practices are set up, that won't happen any time in the future.
1. The State of California controls most aspects of transportation in the Bay Area. To name a few, transportation infrastructure falls under either the MTC or Caltrans or both.
2. All public water transportation in the Bay Area is managed as a regional level.
3. Your perfect world does not exist because the demand would be way too low.
There is ferry service between SSF and Alameda Harbor Bay, which has only 1 scheduled service per day. If the demand is high enough to justify inter-airport transportation. The ferry piers would have been built/moved near both airports with significant increase in service.
In fact, many airport connections are not run by the airports themselves.
#33
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Freeways yes, but cities and counties are responsible for most roads and just about every public transit agency is operated at the regional or municipal level, not state
#34
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#35
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Almost all of our public transit agencies are separate governments, not related to the municipal / county jurisdictions/governance in which they serve. This is why it takes 3 fares on 3 different systems to go approximately 13 miles, should I travel to an area of SF where I need to take MUNI. AC Transit (own government) to BART (own government) to MUNI (run by SF, not its own government). BART is even more complicated, because the counties that aren't part of the original BART district that BART now serves had to "buy in" and if anyone wants a great lesson in how not to build efficient mass transit, just look at how the Santa Clara County extension is going (essentially built by an agency other than BART (which just happens to be another Special District government), to be delivered to BART). But hey, what do you expect from an agency (not BART) that decided to call their light rail service SCAT (Santa Clara Area Transit) until the poopoodoodookaka was about to hit the train.
#36
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For me, it’s not really SFO vs. OAK. They’re both better-than-average airports that have different focuses. I regularly use both, and I’m grateful to have two good options. I especially like OAK AirBART. Even at the peak of rush hour the trip to OAK on BART is not stressful.
#37
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1. The State of California controls most aspects of transportation in the Bay Area. To name a few, transportation infrastructure falls under either the MTC or Caltrans or both.
2. All public water transportation in the Bay Area is managed as a regional level.
3. Your perfect world does not exist because the demand would be way too low.
There is ferry service between SSF and Alameda Harbor Bay, which has only 1 scheduled service per day. If the demand is high enough to justify inter-airport transportation. The ferry piers would have been built/moved near both airports with significant increase in service.
There is ferry service between SSF and Alameda Harbor Bay, which has only 1 scheduled service per day. If the demand is high enough to justify inter-airport transportation. The ferry piers would have been built/moved near both airports with significant increase in service.
#38
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I don't see how...
On the other hand, SFO and OAK is within 1 single border. If the demand was there, we should be able to see frequent coach service in lieu of BART.
#39
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I never use SFO for west coast flights. Today was a great example, few drops of rain, and the SoCal-SFO flights are delayed all over the place, while SJC/OAK are operating normally.
That said, the flight choices east of the Rockies are much, much better than OAK/SJC. It's also the only spot for premium flights like P.S., AA 321T, and Mint.
SFO is also a nice airport inside the terminal, way less chaotic than LAX.
That said, the flight choices east of the Rockies are much, much better than OAK/SJC. It's also the only spot for premium flights like P.S., AA 321T, and Mint.
SFO is also a nice airport inside the terminal, way less chaotic than LAX.
#40
Join Date: Aug 2012
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For me, on TCONs, don't really have much of a choice. SJC is too far, and no way I'm sitting on WN on anything longer than 90 min. So, it's SFO or bust on TCONs. Now, on shorter flights to LAX/LAS, definitely prefer WN out of OAK, especially now that the BART connection is finished sparing us from that Bus ride from the station.
#42
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On the one hand, the runways may suffer from likwa fakshen. On the other hand, maybe 28R will just drift several hundred feet further northeast, and provide decent separation from 28R, so after repairs, we won't suffer from such chronic delays.
#43
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#44
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#45
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