[ Almanac Index | Metro | MetroActive Central | Archives ]

Local Motion

Let your fingers do the surfing for commuter info While the web has put the world at everyone's fingertips, if people want their fingertips to get to the world, it takes some effort. Depending on the destination, a car can be the most expensive, slowest transit option around. Biking may prove faster and is definitely healthier. Carpooling or public transit are other possibilities, but sometimes laying the environment low idling on 101 is the only way to go. Below are resources for any method of getting around. (JR) Bay Area Transit Project If the web is accessible, go here for more information than anyone can use--all useful. Begun as a volunteer project by two Berkeley students, this site provides transit information for all nine Bay Area counties. Everything from BART schedules to bike commute partners can be found at this site. Valley Transportation Agency Has a lock on getting around this valley without a car. Buses and the eerily empty light rail system dodge most traffic. For schedule and route information as well as a county bike route map, look at the website. By phone: 408/321-2300 (from outside the area code, call 800/894-9908). Caltrain Though it stops about every two miles between San Jose and San Francisco, Caltrain is still the best way to make it to the city by the bay without a car. For schedules, go to the website or call 800/660-4287. www.transitinfo.org/bikes For a little expertise on how to commute by bike, cruise to this site. RIDES To really feel guilty about driving alone, visit the RIDES website or call 800/755-POOL. An online commute-cost calculator will determine the exorbitant cost of your solo drive. Then RIDES will help alleviate your trauma by hooking you up with a car or van pool (see "Traffic Rapport"). BART At the $200-million-a-mile rate it's costing to get from Daly City to SFO, forget it. Online Traffic Reports For those who insist on driving, it can help to get a preview of the valley's trademark gridlock. Unfortunately, most local traffic websites are miserable. Your morning toast will burn before the page loads, and sites often contain conflicting information. The speediest traffic report alternative is this website. No fancy moving parts, but the wrecks are all there. [ Almanac Index | Metro | MetroActive Central | Archives ]