SMART sets guidelines for rail cars

The rail cars that Sonoma and Marin commuters will some day ride will likely have leather-like seats, a bathroom, snack stand and room for bicycles, but planners Wednesday left it up to their staff for a more detailed proposal.

"We are in the deadly situation that we are micro-managing our staff," said Sonoma County Supervisor Shirlee Zane, a Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit director. "We need to give authority to the staff."

Directors, however, reaffirmed the guidelines that were set down a week ago by SMART's operations committee.

The committee decided that the trains, running in two-car sets, would have aerodynamic noses, a bathroom in one car and a snack bar in the other, with room for 24 to 36 bicycles and fold-down seats where the bike racks are.

There will also be some work tables, luggage racks, Wi-Fi and reading lights. The seats about 32.5 inches apart, a standard for commuter rail but more room than in typical airline coach class.

Larkspur Mayor Joan Lundstrom, a SMART director, wanted costs to be a major factor in the car choice.

"Are we looking at a Cadillac when we have a shortfall?" Lundstrom asked.

San Rafael Mayor Al Boro, also a director, said the passenger cars must give people reasons to take the train and not just the bus.

"We are looking at people to ride these five days a week for 40 or 50 weeks a year," Boro said. "We want to make them as attractive as possible."

SMART will be ordering 18 cars, which will run in sets of two, with the option of a third car configured to run in the middle during times of high demand.

Directors also wanted the specifications, which will be finalized on April 14, to be as flexible as possible in dealing with cars that may not meet Federal Railroad Administration or "Buy America" rules. Those rules could bar some European rail car manufacturers that may provide better or more cost-effective equipment.

SMART Chairwoman Debora Fudge said the issue of cost will be dealt with when the proposals come back. The transit agency is facing a $155 million shortfall that could affect the timetable of starting service on part of the 70-mile line.

"The board is very concerned about keeping costs as low as possible so we can get the train running on time in both counties as soon as possible," Fudge said. "Until we get to those decision points, we are trying to be as flexible as possible."

Marin County supervisors Judy Arnold and Charles McGlashan lobbied to have manufacturers get extra points for a Crash Energy Management system, passenger rail car technology that uses crash zones to lessen the impact of crashes on passengers.

"I am swayed by a video of cars with the Crash Energy Management system crashing," McGlashan said.

SMART still plans to have trains running in late 2014.