Public to have say on SMART rail car plans

<p>From bike racks to concession stands, members of the public will get a chance to chime in with what they want in a commute train at a workshop being held Wednesday by the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit agency.</p><p>"There are a number of things that are critical to developing a loyal and happy ridership -- this is an important one," said Carol Russell, a Cloverdale councilwoman and a SMART director.</p><p>SMART directors already have chosen individually powered heavy rail cars that meet federal safety and emission standards for the 70-mile line.</p><p>LTK Engineering Services of Ambler, Pa., has been hired to develop the specifications for the rail cars. The options include such things as accommodations for the disabled, bicycle racks, restrooms, wireless Internet access, seating configuration and food and drink concessions.</p><p>"It is a balance between the number of seats and amenities," said Debora Fudge, SMART's vice chairwoman and a Windsor council member. "The type of rail car we have chosen provides more seats per car, but if we put in every amenity that people want, we lose seats."</p><p>"How many bikes can be brought on board, should it be in the front of the car, the back of the car, should they be hung up, do they want a coffee bar on the way down and a wine bar on the way back . . .? We really want to know the opinion of the community," Fudge said.</p><p>The cost of the trains is estimated to be $80 million to $90 million.</p><p>"It is a big-ticket item," said SMART spokesman Chris Coursey. "This is the most important component of the system, as far as riders go."</p><p>The train cars run in coupled pairs, which together can hold 150 to 175 seats.</p><p>"There are trade-offs," Coursey said. "Every time you put something in that is not a seat, you take a seat out. You can have areas that are flexible, with seats that fold down from the side in areas that also serve as bike storage."</p><p>Russell, the SMART director from Cloverdale, who is disabled, said it is important to have handicapped accessibility on the train and in at least one of the bathrooms.</p><p>"What I am looking for first and foremost is ease of entry and exit, I want to be able to sit in a seat that is reasonably comfortable, and one that will accommodate a little more girth, which I have a little more than a few years ago," Russell said.</p><p>Russell also thinks there should be a changing table in a restroom, and overhead racks.</p><p>Coursey said there will be another workshop in Marin County and the public will have the chance to comment at least once more when directors finalize specifications.</p><p>The specifications will be written in March. Trains are scheduled to begin running from Cloverdale to Larkspur in 2014.</p><p>You can reach Staff Writer Bob Norberg at 521-5206 or e-mail bob.norberg</p><p>@pressdemocrat.com.</p>