Tristen
@hawkfalcon.bsky.social
I care a lot about transit and walkability | Strong Towns Santa Barbara | he/him
Reposted by Tristen
Union Pacific (modern descendant of Southern Pacific) today: electrification is impossible.
Southern Pacific’s electrification & modernization of Oakland, Berkeley and Alameda suburban rail.
- 29 miles of upgrades
- 21 miles of extensions
- 7 year schedule
- standardized pole spacing and specs
- self built power generation
- budget from conceptual design to final acceptance $4m —> $10.5m
- 29 miles of upgrades
- 21 miles of extensions
- 7 year schedule
- standardized pole spacing and specs
- self built power generation
- budget from conceptual design to final acceptance $4m —> $10.5m
December 6, 2025 at 3:05 AM
Union Pacific (modern descendant of Southern Pacific) today: electrification is impossible.
Reposted by Tristen
The metric should not be whether drivers hate it. The metric should be whether it makes our streets safer for everyone. And by all accounts this accomplished that. That’s more than worth a few seconds of all of our time
Despite the anger, San Francisco’s new piece of street infrastructure decreased injury collisions and dropped average speeds at that location to 11 miles per hour.
S.F. installed an experimental street design called a ‘neckdown.’ Drivers hated it
Despite the anger, San Francisco’s new piece of street infrastructure decreased injury collisions and dropped average speeds at that location to 11 miles per hour.
bit.ly
December 5, 2025 at 4:08 AM
The metric should not be whether drivers hate it. The metric should be whether it makes our streets safer for everyone. And by all accounts this accomplished that. That’s more than worth a few seconds of all of our time
Reposted by Tristen
With the Tesla Tunnels officially canceled, the opportunity to invest in the SBL is here. Electrolink would transform San Bernardino County - let's make it happen!
With electrification and level boarding, Rancho Cucamonga and Brightline West will be less than an hour on Metrolink from downtown LA. If SBCTA wants to improve access to Brightline, they should get on board with Electrolink - and plan for a rail extension to ONT. calelectricrail.org/electrolink-...
Electrolink: Modern Passenger Rail Service for Southern California – Californians for Electric Rail
calelectricrail.org
December 3, 2025 at 10:19 PM
With the Tesla Tunnels officially canceled, the opportunity to invest in the SBL is here. Electrolink would transform San Bernardino County - let's make it happen!
BEGGING San Francisco to put rail down Geary. Or at least make the 38R proper BRT like Van Ness
December 3, 2025 at 9:17 PM
BEGGING San Francisco to put rail down Geary. Or at least make the 38R proper BRT like Van Ness
Google Maps thinks I couldn’t POSSIBLY be on a train in SoCal
December 1, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Google Maps thinks I couldn’t POSSIBLY be on a train in SoCal
Reposted by Tristen
If service-led planning was mandatory, SBCTA wouldn't have wasted years of staff time on this boondoggle and would be already advancing better alternatives.
And while the ONT connector thankfully did not have success w/ grants, patchwork competitive grant programs kept hope alive for years.
And while the ONT connector thankfully did not have success w/ grants, patchwork competitive grant programs kept hope alive for years.
Victory! SBCTA is cancelling the ONT Tesla Tunnel project - which would have duplicated BRT with an tunnel for cars - after construction costs escalated to $1-2 B. Time to pivot to electrification and 15 minute service on the San Bernardino line, planning for future multi-use heavy rail to ONT.
November 26, 2025 at 8:05 PM
If service-led planning was mandatory, SBCTA wouldn't have wasted years of staff time on this boondoggle and would be already advancing better alternatives.
And while the ONT connector thankfully did not have success w/ grants, patchwork competitive grant programs kept hope alive for years.
And while the ONT connector thankfully did not have success w/ grants, patchwork competitive grant programs kept hope alive for years.
Reposted by Tristen
California is pausing its hydrogen hub, which has been a driving force behind the hydrogen train boondoggle. Will this pause investments into unproven hydrogen trains, and accelerate investments in proven, fast, zero-emissions electric trains with overhead wires? archesh2.org/california-p...
California Pauses Hydrogen Hub Activities Amid Federal Funding Changes - Arches H2
In response to recent changes in federal funding priorities, the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES) will immediately pause hydrogen hub activities
archesh2.org
November 24, 2025 at 7:34 PM
California is pausing its hydrogen hub, which has been a driving force behind the hydrogen train boondoggle. Will this pause investments into unproven hydrogen trains, and accelerate investments in proven, fast, zero-emissions electric trains with overhead wires? archesh2.org/california-p...
Reposted by Tristen
Whoever is CA’s next governor must make electric rail and transit funding a priority! 🤔
November 22, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Whoever is CA’s next governor must make electric rail and transit funding a priority! 🤔
Reposted by Tristen
I think entirely too much about how California’s climate plan explicitly says that converting to EVs is not nearly enough to meet our greenhouse gas reduction targets so we need to reduce VMT 25% by 2030, and then we do basically nothing to try to achieve that goal
November 22, 2025 at 2:48 AM
I think entirely too much about how California’s climate plan explicitly says that converting to EVs is not nearly enough to meet our greenhouse gas reduction targets so we need to reduce VMT 25% by 2030, and then we do basically nothing to try to achieve that goal
Reposted by Tristen
Bike, transit, and street safety advocacy can (and often should!) be lots of fun.
Building community and making the world a better place is fun! And the better you get at it, the more fun/less stressful it is.*
This book will help you have an easier time of it
islandpress.org/books/if-you...
Building community and making the world a better place is fun! And the better you get at it, the more fun/less stressful it is.*
This book will help you have an easier time of it
islandpress.org/books/if-you...
If You Want to Win, You've Got to Fight
islandpress.org
November 22, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Bike, transit, and street safety advocacy can (and often should!) be lots of fun.
Building community and making the world a better place is fun! And the better you get at it, the more fun/less stressful it is.*
This book will help you have an easier time of it
islandpress.org/books/if-you...
Building community and making the world a better place is fun! And the better you get at it, the more fun/less stressful it is.*
This book will help you have an easier time of it
islandpress.org/books/if-you...
Reposted by Tristen
100 years later, CA still struggles to implement
a) Electrified, through-running, higher-speed mainline rail for long haul trips
d) unified operations (vs 30+ uncoordinated agencies in greater LA)
e) Service-led planning
f) building a) on existing ROW rather than new duplicative lines
a) Electrified, through-running, higher-speed mainline rail for long haul trips
d) unified operations (vs 30+ uncoordinated agencies in greater LA)
e) Service-led planning
f) building a) on existing ROW rather than new duplicative lines
November 22, 2025 at 12:59 AM
100 years later, CA still struggles to implement
a) Electrified, through-running, higher-speed mainline rail for long haul trips
d) unified operations (vs 30+ uncoordinated agencies in greater LA)
e) Service-led planning
f) building a) on existing ROW rather than new duplicative lines
a) Electrified, through-running, higher-speed mainline rail for long haul trips
d) unified operations (vs 30+ uncoordinated agencies in greater LA)
e) Service-led planning
f) building a) on existing ROW rather than new duplicative lines
Reposted by Tristen
Help prevent massive cuts to Caltrain, sign up to support the By Area Transit Funding Measure!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
November 21, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Help prevent massive cuts to Caltrain, sign up to support the By Area Transit Funding Measure!
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Tristen
The California delegation must say no to an infrastructure reauthorization that cuts transit funding! And regardless of what happens in DC, next year the state should prioritize building rail state capacity and streamlining 3rd party permits so that we can build more with the money we do have.
Trump Admin is planning to ask Congress to dramatically cut funding for transit as part of the 2026 infrastructure law.
The proposal would eliminate the transit account, which funds billions of dollars in capital expenses. It would also prevent states from “flexing” roads funds for transit.
The proposal would eliminate the transit account, which funds billions of dollars in capital expenses. It would also prevent states from “flexing” roads funds for transit.
POLITICO Pro: Trump administration proposals seek to eliminate transit funding
DOT recently sent two proposals to the White House budget office seeking to pare back transit money.
subscriber.politicopro.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:52 PM
The California delegation must say no to an infrastructure reauthorization that cuts transit funding! And regardless of what happens in DC, next year the state should prioritize building rail state capacity and streamlining 3rd party permits so that we can build more with the money we do have.
Reposted by Tristen
The cost of the Roseville 3rd track has nearly doubled since 2024, and will now provide only 6 round trips at first. Largely downstream of Capitol Corridor's lack of state capacity and extortion by powerful 3rd parties like Union Pacific. We need to fix this ASAP. calelectricrail.org/project-deli...
November 17, 2025 at 7:50 PM
The cost of the Roseville 3rd track has nearly doubled since 2024, and will now provide only 6 round trips at first. Largely downstream of Capitol Corridor's lack of state capacity and extortion by powerful 3rd parties like Union Pacific. We need to fix this ASAP. calelectricrail.org/project-deli...
Reposted by Tristen
The Pacific Surfliner is the 2nd busiest passenger rail line in the country. In recent years, it has suffered frequent closures due to erosion.
In August, @thecacoast.bsky.social delayed repairs because just 1 (!!) person complained. Now that permit isn't being considered again until November.
In August, @thecacoast.bsky.social delayed repairs because just 1 (!!) person complained. Now that permit isn't being considered again until November.
October 29, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The Pacific Surfliner is the 2nd busiest passenger rail line in the country. In recent years, it has suffered frequent closures due to erosion.
In August, @thecacoast.bsky.social delayed repairs because just 1 (!!) person complained. Now that permit isn't being considered again until November.
In August, @thecacoast.bsky.social delayed repairs because just 1 (!!) person complained. Now that permit isn't being considered again until November.
I’ve been reading this book and it’s probably the best straight-to-the-point guide on how to make a difference with transportation advocacy I’ve read. Nice job Carter!
7 days! islandpress.org/books/if-you...
November 7, 2025 at 8:30 PM
I’ve been reading this book and it’s probably the best straight-to-the-point guide on how to make a difference with transportation advocacy I’ve read. Nice job Carter!
Reposted by Tristen
1/ Seattle! 2000 ballots need signatures (updates or didn't sign)!! Tell your friends to check their ballot status here: info.kingcounty.gov/kcelections/... And if you have time between now & Nov. 14, volunteer to help cure votes: linktr.ee/Wilsonforsea... ("Ballot Chasing for Katie Wilson")
November 7, 2025 at 5:57 PM
1/ Seattle! 2000 ballots need signatures (updates or didn't sign)!! Tell your friends to check their ballot status here: info.kingcounty.gov/kcelections/... And if you have time between now & Nov. 14, volunteer to help cure votes: linktr.ee/Wilsonforsea... ("Ballot Chasing for Katie Wilson")
Reposted by Tristen
The amount budgeted for *all* transit, not just regional rail - is far less than we need to complete the State Rail Plan on time. And starting soon, all of it will be awarded as competitive grants that cause years of delay. CA urgently needs to fix funding to meet climate goals.
October 23, 2025 at 11:49 PM
The amount budgeted for *all* transit, not just regional rail - is far less than we need to complete the State Rail Plan on time. And starting soon, all of it will be awarded as competitive grants that cause years of delay. CA urgently needs to fix funding to meet climate goals.
Reposted by Tristen
California will spend $31 billion on transportation this year with about 3% of that budgeted for support for transit agencies. lao.ca.gov/Publications...
October 23, 2025 at 11:32 PM
California will spend $31 billion on transportation this year with about 3% of that budgeted for support for transit agencies. lao.ca.gov/Publications...
Reposted by Tristen
We can make great things happen. It takes a hell of a lot of organizing and fighting to win, but we can make this world a better place.
islandpress.org/books/if-you...
islandpress.org/books/if-you...
If You Want to Win, You've Got to Fight
islandpress.org
November 5, 2025 at 5:27 AM
We can make great things happen. It takes a hell of a lot of organizing and fighting to win, but we can make this world a better place.
islandpress.org/books/if-you...
islandpress.org/books/if-you...
Reposted by Tristen
New Mineta Institute report on CA High-Speed Rail explains that CAHSR was given certain "superpowers", but lack of special powers on eminent domain or 3rd party permits slow the project. CAHSR needs to be empowered to finish faster - but imagine if Metrolink had even CAHSR's powers?
November 5, 2025 at 12:37 AM
New Mineta Institute report on CA High-Speed Rail explains that CAHSR was given certain "superpowers", but lack of special powers on eminent domain or 3rd party permits slow the project. CAHSR needs to be empowered to finish faster - but imagine if Metrolink had even CAHSR's powers?
Reposted by Tristen
Sounds like Caltrans should've built this
COMPLETE: Avenue 17 Grade Separation
📍Madera County
The grade separation will:
🤝Serve as a new through roadway improving east-west mobility for the community
🚑Reduce emergency response times
🚅Take traffic & pedestrians over BNSF & future HSR tracks
bit.ly/4qBg4so
📍Madera County
The grade separation will:
🤝Serve as a new through roadway improving east-west mobility for the community
🚑Reduce emergency response times
🚅Take traffic & pedestrians over BNSF & future HSR tracks
bit.ly/4qBg4so
October 30, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Sounds like Caltrans should've built this
Reposted by Tristen
