Sunnyhills Neighborhood Association

Link Sunnyhills to BART/LRT/bus transit center with advanced transit feeder

Personal Rapid Transit (PRT)

SNA is working toward a Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) feeder from their neighborhood at the north end of Milpitas to the Great Mall Transit Center (LRT, buses and BART in 2017) at the south end - over three miles away. PRT will provide 24/7 service to regional transit that is sorely lacking for our residents today.

Because PRT is a new technology, it makes sense to “learn as we go” by starting small. A minimal system of two stations with a loop connecting them - a ferry - will allow us to evaluate PRT technology before extending service. In early 2013, the City Council added an automated crossing of the railroad tracks near the Great Mall to the General Plan (along with a circulator around the BART station).

For further information,
      * Contact SNA at sna@electric-bikes.com or 408-262-0420.
      * Visit http://www.electric-bikes.com/prt/ferry.html
      * See on-line flyer at http://www.electric-bikes.com/sna/flyer.pdf

You Can Help

As the next step toward such a PRT “ferry”, SNA is seeking funds to kick-start the project by financing the City's portion of the $50,000 Environmental Impact Report (EIR). We only need $6000 (12%) due to progressive transportation funding rules and OBAG.

Funding is expected from contributions (individual , business, and cities), grants from foundations, and maybe from U. S. transportation agencies. SNA will act as escrow agent until the full $6000 is secured. When SNA gathers $6000 (12% of $50K), we will work with the City to generate an EIR and secure the remaining funding. After the EIR is written and approved, engineering and construction could follow.

Your contribution will demonstrate public support which makes the grant funding part even easier. If you or your organization want to contribute to this effort, send a check payable to: Sunnyhills Neighborhood Association, P. O. Box 360581, Milpitas, CA 95036-0581.Indicate whether you want to remain anonymous or have your name/organization listed online. SNA is a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation (Taxpayer ID = 77-0493926), and contributions are tax deductable.

Why PRT?

PRT is faster than existing mass transit, with no waiting, and doesn't interfere with auto traffic like light rail and buses do. It's also energy-efficient, quiet, and environmentally friendly! Automated PRT provides 24/7 service, which is especially important for lower-income households. It costs so much less to operate than bus, BART and LRT that many projections anticipate PRT farebox revenue to pay for all operations and maintenance costs -- and still have some left over to expand the system.

SNA, citing cost and service advantages of a PRT feeder system, has been recommending since 2003 that the City implement a 10-mile PRT system for about half the cost of a second BART station. SNA joins a growing list of citizen groups across the U.S. that are asking government officials to seriously study the opportunities afforded by this new transportation technology. In Santa Cruz, they want a PRT link between UCSC, downtown, and the Boardwalk. In Palo Alto, Cities21 thinks PRT is the "silver bullet" for transportation problems in the Stanford Research Park.

Email us
rob.means@electric-bikes.com

More about PRT

Proposed routing and stations for 10-mile, 20-station PRT feeder
Introduction to PRT: designs, economics, benefits, etc.
in-depth PRT information and links
Full-scale model of PRT guideway and cab displayed locally
Citizens for Personal Rapid Transit (CPRT)
Proposed BART-PRT plan for 1/2 the price of San Jose-to-BART