California Transit Nerd
@catransitnerd.bsky.social
Bay area native lived in LA for college. I work on Supercomputers with a Poly Sci degree. Rail nerd working on state policy RT=/= endorsement
Pinned
Intro:
My focus is on regional and intercity transit statewide and ending freeway expansion.
Ask don’t assume my position on issue, 99% of the time I’ll happy answer
My focus is on regional and intercity transit statewide and ending freeway expansion.
Ask don’t assume my position on issue, 99% of the time I’ll happy answer
I’d like the AI bubble to pop sooner than later so work can replace hundreds of RTX 2080ti running scientific compute. New GPUs have gotten so expensive plus tight budgets we are being forced to run this for 7+ years
(I also just want these servers out of my DC as no racks have enough power for GPU)
(I also just want these servers out of my DC as no racks have enough power for GPU)
January 16, 2026 at 3:51 PM
I’d like the AI bubble to pop sooner than later so work can replace hundreds of RTX 2080ti running scientific compute. New GPUs have gotten so expensive plus tight budgets we are being forced to run this for 7+ years
(I also just want these servers out of my DC as no racks have enough power for GPU)
(I also just want these servers out of my DC as no racks have enough power for GPU)
Reposted by California Transit Nerd
Back of the napkin math: California is going to spend a ~TRILLION~ dollars on transportation between now and 2045 when we reach our net zero GHG goal. Are we leveraging those funds to cut GHG, increase mobility, save households money and clean the air? It's hard to say and probably a mixed bag!
January 15, 2026 at 10:44 PM
Back of the napkin math: California is going to spend a ~TRILLION~ dollars on transportation between now and 2045 when we reach our net zero GHG goal. Are we leveraging those funds to cut GHG, increase mobility, save households money and clean the air? It's hard to say and probably a mixed bag!
www.capitolcorridor.org/alviso-railr...
I don’t know what there is to study more. We know we need a double track rail line that doesn’t have a sharp curve, is up off the marsh so it doesn’t flood and can support 4-6tph in each direction. Only after this is done will we get to enviro and early design
I don’t know what there is to study more. We know we need a double track rail line that doesn’t have a sharp curve, is up off the marsh so it doesn’t flood and can support 4-6tph in each direction. Only after this is done will we get to enviro and early design
Alviso Railroad Adaptation Planning Study
CCJPA conducted an Alviso Wetland Railroad Adaptation Alternatives Study with extensive stakeholder outreach to identify and evaluate preliminary sea level rise adaptation options in this corridor.
www.capitolcorridor.org
January 15, 2026 at 5:54 PM
www.capitolcorridor.org/alviso-railr...
I don’t know what there is to study more. We know we need a double track rail line that doesn’t have a sharp curve, is up off the marsh so it doesn’t flood and can support 4-6tph in each direction. Only after this is done will we get to enviro and early design
I don’t know what there is to study more. We know we need a double track rail line that doesn’t have a sharp curve, is up off the marsh so it doesn’t flood and can support 4-6tph in each direction. Only after this is done will we get to enviro and early design
Reposted by California Transit Nerd
A modest proposal:
Caltrans struggles with responsibly spending ~ $10 billion per year & inevitably ends up using it on galactically stupid stuff like expanding a highway that's going under the sea.
Relieve them of the burden, $10 billion/year to the California Department of Actual Transportation
Caltrans struggles with responsibly spending ~ $10 billion per year & inevitably ends up using it on galactically stupid stuff like expanding a highway that's going under the sea.
Relieve them of the burden, $10 billion/year to the California Department of Actual Transportation
More and more people are saying it: We need a Caltrans for trains!
"In California, we've really hollowed out our rail expertise," Blakespear said. "We don't have a Caltrans equivalent for rail, which would be great. www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
"In California, we've really hollowed out our rail expertise," Blakespear said. "We don't have a Caltrans equivalent for rail, which would be great. www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
Rail advocates renew push for electric trains from San Diego to Los Angeles
Electric trains offer faster, quieter and cleaner service compared to diesel locomotives. But California's rail corridors continue to suffer from inaction.
www.kpbs.org
January 14, 2026 at 9:02 PM
A modest proposal:
Caltrans struggles with responsibly spending ~ $10 billion per year & inevitably ends up using it on galactically stupid stuff like expanding a highway that's going under the sea.
Relieve them of the burden, $10 billion/year to the California Department of Actual Transportation
Caltrans struggles with responsibly spending ~ $10 billion per year & inevitably ends up using it on galactically stupid stuff like expanding a highway that's going under the sea.
Relieve them of the burden, $10 billion/year to the California Department of Actual Transportation
Reposted by California Transit Nerd
"Sen. Catherine Blakespear, who represents coastal North County, said... that California needs to employ more professional rail experts to reduce its reliance on consultants." #JustTransitionForCaltrans
Missed Monday's webinar? Check out the coverage here on KPBS!
www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
Missed Monday's webinar? Check out the coverage here on KPBS!
www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
Rail advocates renew push for electric trains from San Diego to Los Angeles
Electric trains offer faster, quieter and cleaner service compared to diesel locomotives. But California's rail corridors continue to suffer from inaction.
www.kpbs.org
January 14, 2026 at 7:20 PM
"Sen. Catherine Blakespear, who represents coastal North County, said... that California needs to employ more professional rail experts to reduce its reliance on consultants." #JustTransitionForCaltrans
Missed Monday's webinar? Check out the coverage here on KPBS!
www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
Missed Monday's webinar? Check out the coverage here on KPBS!
www.kpbs.org/news/quality...
Reposted by California Transit Nerd
Wait, so you can just fund design and engineering instead of running everything through competitive grant programs? 🤯
Which CA governor candidate will do this for regional rail electrification?
Which CA governor candidate will do this for regional rail electrification?
NY Governor Kathy Hochul that announces her executive budget would provide funding for design and preliminary engineering to advance tunneling for the Q Subway Train extension across 125th Street to Broadway, serving 240,000 daily riders.
Governor Hochul Unveils Plan to Reimagine Jamaica Station and Advance Second Avenue Subway Westward Expansion
Governor Hochul announced her plan to advance two significant transit projects to improve New Yorkers’ commutes as part of her 2026 State of the State.
www.governor.ny.gov
January 13, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Wait, so you can just fund design and engineering instead of running everything through competitive grant programs? 🤯
Which CA governor candidate will do this for regional rail electrification?
Which CA governor candidate will do this for regional rail electrification?
Win and so excited but not the mega win of alt4
I hope the combination of pressure to build to VCL, lower costs and a strong metro board in the future can deliver us the valley segment above ground
I hope the combination of pressure to build to VCL, lower costs and a strong metro board in the future can deliver us the valley segment above ground
January 10, 2026 at 2:04 AM
Win and so excited but not the mega win of alt4
I hope the combination of pressure to build to VCL, lower costs and a strong metro board in the future can deliver us the valley segment above ground
I hope the combination of pressure to build to VCL, lower costs and a strong metro board in the future can deliver us the valley segment above ground
Reposted by California Transit Nerd
More context on the SB 125 task force here. The main purpose of the task force was to ID sources of revenue for transit, but the final report is watered down from the consensus of the task force due to executive meddling. www.seamlessbayarea.org/blog/2025/12...
State Task Force issues report setting stage for progress on funding, coordination, capital reforms — Seamless Bay Area
In December, the State Transit Transformation Task Force issued its final report (which still isn’t posted on the website). The Task Force had been established as part of the 2023 budget agreement wit...
www.seamlessbayarea.org
January 9, 2026 at 7:42 PM
More context on the SB 125 task force here. The main purpose of the task force was to ID sources of revenue for transit, but the final report is watered down from the consensus of the task force due to executive meddling. www.seamlessbayarea.org/blog/2025/12...
Reposted by California Transit Nerd
$7,500 would more than cover the entire cost of many ebikes, meanwhile CARB just canceled their e-bike subsidy program.
Big news! Today @governor.ca.gov Newsom announced he is fulfilling his commitment to backfill the federal tax credit for zero-emission vehicles through a new $200 million rebate program.
www.usatoday.com/story/cars/s...
www.usatoday.com/story/cars/s...
California wants to give EV rebates to car buyers. Here's why
California is moving to backfill at least some of the lost $7,500 EV tax credit that was killed recently by the Trump administration and Congress.
www.usatoday.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:35 PM
$7,500 would more than cover the entire cost of many ebikes, meanwhile CARB just canceled their e-bike subsidy program.
This 200M would do far more as active transportation grants which is constantly receiving substantial more requests that funding available
Big news! Today @governor.ca.gov Newsom announced he is fulfilling his commitment to backfill the federal tax credit for zero-emission vehicles through a new $200 million rebate program.
www.usatoday.com/story/cars/s...
www.usatoday.com/story/cars/s...
California wants to give EV rebates to car buyers. Here's why
California is moving to backfill at least some of the lost $7,500 EV tax credit that was killed recently by the Trump administration and Congress.
www.usatoday.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:07 PM
This 200M would do far more as active transportation grants which is constantly receiving substantial more requests that funding available
Santa Fe nearly bought Western Pacific in the mid 1960, that would completely change San Joaquin and ACE service likely for the better
Valley rail would almost certainly have more service and come (if not done in the early 2000s) with 90-110mph top speed helping travel times
Valley rail would almost certainly have more service and come (if not done in the early 2000s) with 90-110mph top speed helping travel times
January 9, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Santa Fe nearly bought Western Pacific in the mid 1960, that would completely change San Joaquin and ACE service likely for the better
Valley rail would almost certainly have more service and come (if not done in the early 2000s) with 90-110mph top speed helping travel times
Valley rail would almost certainly have more service and come (if not done in the early 2000s) with 90-110mph top speed helping travel times
Reposted by California Transit Nerd
⚡FULL ELECTRIFICATION ⚡
@governor.ca.gov shouts out Caltrain electrification in his State of the State speech.
@governor.ca.gov shouts out Caltrain electrification in his State of the State speech.
January 9, 2026 at 2:13 AM
⚡FULL ELECTRIFICATION ⚡
@governor.ca.gov shouts out Caltrain electrification in his State of the State speech.
@governor.ca.gov shouts out Caltrain electrification in his State of the State speech.
Reposted by California Transit Nerd
It would be nice if rolling stock funding/financing were optimized so operators didn’t need 12 different capital partners to deliver new trainsets.
January 8, 2026 at 5:26 PM
It would be nice if rolling stock funding/financing were optimized so operators didn’t need 12 different capital partners to deliver new trainsets.
Reposted by California Transit Nerd
"Missing middle" regional rail is the missing link for car-free living. When nonresidents don't need to drive to access the city, there are less opponents of safe streets and more local transit riders. Electrification + through-running allow the same train to serve local and regional riders.
18% of Americans want to go car-free. 40% are open to going car-free. This is in addition to the 10% of Americans who don't drive. Congress needs to match federal transportation policy and funding to this market shift:
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
Many Americans Are Open to Car-Free Living — Human Transit
Are Americans a “car culture” or are they “car dependent”? Do they drive because they love driving, or are they in an unhealthy relationship with a substance they would be happy to do without? Obvio...
humantransit.org
January 3, 2026 at 2:06 AM
"Missing middle" regional rail is the missing link for car-free living. When nonresidents don't need to drive to access the city, there are less opponents of safe streets and more local transit riders. Electrification + through-running allow the same train to serve local and regional riders.
Reposted by California Transit Nerd
At yesterday’s Unincorporated Alameda County meeting about their proposed bike/walk commission formation (which has now been shelved), one of the supervisors made a comment along the lines of “we are all drivers”, as a justification for why bike/walk issues don't need a dedicated focus.
January 6, 2026 at 7:56 PM
At yesterday’s Unincorporated Alameda County meeting about their proposed bike/walk commission formation (which has now been shelved), one of the supervisors made a comment along the lines of “we are all drivers”, as a justification for why bike/walk issues don't need a dedicated focus.
Reposted by California Transit Nerd
You see this again and again. JPA management, limited staff capacity, patchwork grant programs -> budget overruns, longer timelines descoping, less service for riders in rapidly-growing areas. This time for Valley Rail in the Central Valley. Will 2026 be the year we take action?
Valley Rail isn’t looking so healthy
Costs have only increased while they try and scale back initial investment phases to deliver something which has now become a 5th RT for ACE to San Jose, 1 ACE and 1 Gold Runner RT to Natomas
South extension of ACE to Merced delayed
www.sjrrc.com/event/sjrrc-...
Costs have only increased while they try and scale back initial investment phases to deliver something which has now become a 5th RT for ACE to San Jose, 1 ACE and 1 Gold Runner RT to Natomas
South extension of ACE to Merced delayed
www.sjrrc.com/event/sjrrc-...
SJRRC Special Station/Facilities Development Committee - January 8, 2026 10:30 am - San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission
Station Facilities Development Committee January 8 2026 Special Meeting Packet Meeting Location: San Joaquin Council of Governments First Floor, Board Room 555 E. Weber Avenue Stockton, CA 95202 Join ...
www.sjrrc.com
January 7, 2026 at 1:07 AM
You see this again and again. JPA management, limited staff capacity, patchwork grant programs -> budget overruns, longer timelines descoping, less service for riders in rapidly-growing areas. This time for Valley Rail in the Central Valley. Will 2026 be the year we take action?
Valley Rail isn’t looking so healthy
Costs have only increased while they try and scale back initial investment phases to deliver something which has now become a 5th RT for ACE to San Jose, 1 ACE and 1 Gold Runner RT to Natomas
South extension of ACE to Merced delayed
www.sjrrc.com/event/sjrrc-...
Costs have only increased while they try and scale back initial investment phases to deliver something which has now become a 5th RT for ACE to San Jose, 1 ACE and 1 Gold Runner RT to Natomas
South extension of ACE to Merced delayed
www.sjrrc.com/event/sjrrc-...
SJRRC Special Station/Facilities Development Committee - January 8, 2026 10:30 am - San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission
Station Facilities Development Committee January 8 2026 Special Meeting Packet Meeting Location: San Joaquin Council of Governments First Floor, Board Room 555 E. Weber Avenue Stockton, CA 95202 Join ...
www.sjrrc.com
January 7, 2026 at 1:01 AM
Valley Rail isn’t looking so healthy
Costs have only increased while they try and scale back initial investment phases to deliver something which has now become a 5th RT for ACE to San Jose, 1 ACE and 1 Gold Runner RT to Natomas
South extension of ACE to Merced delayed
www.sjrrc.com/event/sjrrc-...
Costs have only increased while they try and scale back initial investment phases to deliver something which has now become a 5th RT for ACE to San Jose, 1 ACE and 1 Gold Runner RT to Natomas
South extension of ACE to Merced delayed
www.sjrrc.com/event/sjrrc-...
Reposted by California Transit Nerd
While 2025 was a tough year for many, last year we saw electric rail continue to move forward, with lots of good news for the future. Here's a look at some of what we accomplished last year: 🧵https://calelectricrail.org/2025-year-in-review/
2025 Year in Review – Californians for Electric Rail
calelectricrail.org
January 7, 2026 at 12:32 AM
While 2025 was a tough year for many, last year we saw electric rail continue to move forward, with lots of good news for the future. Here's a look at some of what we accomplished last year: 🧵https://calelectricrail.org/2025-year-in-review/
Reposted by California Transit Nerd
All 5 "ebike deaths" in an Ottawa study involved illegally modified ebikes. In other words, they were electric motorcycle deaths
January 6, 2026 at 3:13 PM
All 5 "ebike deaths" in an Ottawa study involved illegally modified ebikes. In other words, they were electric motorcycle deaths
Reposted by California Transit Nerd
I may write about this more formally at some point, but the degree to which NS's cut-service-and-hike-rates strategy completely kneecapped their Crescent Corridor partnership with states to decongest I-81 is nuts. After billions in govt investment, train service is now *slower* than it was before.
January 5, 2026 at 8:12 PM
I may write about this more formally at some point, but the degree to which NS's cut-service-and-hike-rates strategy completely kneecapped their Crescent Corridor partnership with states to decongest I-81 is nuts. After billions in govt investment, train service is now *slower* than it was before.
Reposted by California Transit Nerd
Los Angeles should congestion-price its freeways to maintain peak throughput at times of high demand.
January 5, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Los Angeles should congestion-price its freeways to maintain peak throughput at times of high demand.
As I go back to work commuting over a bridge with a frustrating little amount of slow bus service I’m remind just how flawed the Bay Area RMs are. They are supposedly about fixing congestion but burn money on interchanges and HOV or HOT lanes rather than regional services to provide alternatives
January 5, 2026 at 10:21 AM
As I go back to work commuting over a bridge with a frustrating little amount of slow bus service I’m remind just how flawed the Bay Area RMs are. They are supposedly about fixing congestion but burn money on interchanges and HOV or HOT lanes rather than regional services to provide alternatives
Reposted by California Transit Nerd
Allow me to connect some dots for you:
Too much of the world currently relies for its basic functions on resources which must be continuously extracted. You burn that oil one time and oops, now you need more.
Geopolitical horrors are, in fact, one of the reasons we need to move to renewables ASAP.
Too much of the world currently relies for its basic functions on resources which must be continuously extracted. You burn that oil one time and oops, now you need more.
Geopolitical horrors are, in fact, one of the reasons we need to move to renewables ASAP.
January 3, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Allow me to connect some dots for you:
Too much of the world currently relies for its basic functions on resources which must be continuously extracted. You burn that oil one time and oops, now you need more.
Geopolitical horrors are, in fact, one of the reasons we need to move to renewables ASAP.
Too much of the world currently relies for its basic functions on resources which must be continuously extracted. You burn that oil one time and oops, now you need more.
Geopolitical horrors are, in fact, one of the reasons we need to move to renewables ASAP.
Reposted by California Transit Nerd
Seattle Fire Code has its own provisions for fixed guideway transit which are more restrictive than NFPA 130
For example, it doesn't allow escalators & elevators to count toward egress capacity under any circumstance, and enclosed emergency exists must provide at least 50% of egress capacity
For example, it doesn't allow escalators & elevators to count toward egress capacity under any circumstance, and enclosed emergency exists must provide at least 50% of egress capacity
January 27, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Seattle Fire Code has its own provisions for fixed guideway transit which are more restrictive than NFPA 130
For example, it doesn't allow escalators & elevators to count toward egress capacity under any circumstance, and enclosed emergency exists must provide at least 50% of egress capacity
For example, it doesn't allow escalators & elevators to count toward egress capacity under any circumstance, and enclosed emergency exists must provide at least 50% of egress capacity
Reposted by California Transit Nerd
Im publishing an ACT article very soon that's very important but also dropping my old piece detailing ACT's downfall darrellowens.substack.com/p/the-slow-d...
The Slow Death of AC Transit
The on-going fiscal crisis for AC Transit and how to reverse it in the future.
darrellowens.substack.com
January 3, 2026 at 2:50 AM
Im publishing an ACT article very soon that's very important but also dropping my old piece detailing ACT's downfall darrellowens.substack.com/p/the-slow-d...