LOL wrote on Jan 5, 2008 12:50 AM:The Sprinter was supposed to be running full schedule during this testing period. I've seen it about 6 times since November, here in Oceanside. This is just too funny. The 'storm' scares you? What about when it really rains? None of this sissy rain..

Nadine wrote on Jan 5, 2008 4:37 AM:The Splinter has never met a deadline. It would be newsworthy if the train actually met its first self-imposed deadline!

Senior Rider wrote on Jan 5, 2008 4:52 AM:And then the Sprinter finally starts service. Bus routes are changed to force use of the rail line. Then one fatefull morning a Sprinter railset has a mechanical breakdown, or an accident forces closure of the route, or ... And the entire North County public transportation system collapses like a house of cards. There is NO plan B. If the Coaster breaks there are bus alternatives. Because the Sprinter REPLACES bus routes chaos will result. Law of averages says this WILL eventually happen.

jojo wrote on Jan 5, 2008 6:13 AM:Who does Kelleher think he's fooling? They knew last month this wasn't going to happen. They just keep stringing everyone along.

Carter: wrote on Jan 5, 2008 7:13 AM: I dreamed last night that there was a little old lady left waiting at a sprinter station because there was no bus to take her to her destination. I dreamed last night that the Sprinter would not run in a rain storm because the rain made the Sprinter bosses nervous. I dreamed last night that the backbone of the NCT would never open because the sprinter bosses had no backbone. I dreamed last night that the sprinter bosses were left sitting in an unfinished parking lot along the line and the Sprinter did not open on time. Now I ask you, what is so unusual about a San Diego County project that will not be completed on schedule? When the sprinter finally opens we should cut a cake. In addition when we reach the 100th San Diego County project that hasn't completed on schedule we should cut a cake.

Oceanside Chris wrote on Jan 5, 2008 7:14 AM:$477 million dollars does not buy landscaping, restrooms, nor will it get you the certificate to operate. What a boondoggle this is; a waste of time. At least the taxpayers (hey, that's US!) have unlimited pockets for the board to fleece. Don't worry, we will be using the Amero instead of dollars soon anyhow.

All of you... wrote on Jan 5, 2008 8:17 AM:Are you all just a bunch of nay-sayers? I grew up in south San Diego and the Sprinter is no different than the SD trolley -- of which many stations do not have restrooms and there are no restrooms on-board. It's meant as a connector that hopefully will be faster than the existing bus route connectors.

Proud American wrote on Jan 5, 2008 8:20 AM:Amero nothing....we will be buying renminbi... it will be much more stable than any American dollar. The US is in a tail spin. Dr. Ron Paul knows whats ailing America and is our only hope. Vote Ron Paul

What? wrote on Jan 5, 2008 9:25 AM:Proud American, why are you spouting your political Rah Rah Rah for Rue Paul on this story? I am ok with political ramblings on stories about the election. But it really bugs me when people get off subject in their postings. I consider this action a negitive for Rue Paul. I also have to note that you couldn't even write a rant that the editor could post without censoring it first. When you do decide to post your ramblings where appropriate please say something that is comprehensible.

Typical and Ridiculous wrote on Jan 5, 2008 9:56 AM:This project and its legend delays are just typical of any overblown bureaucracy. But to have 5000 punch items for safety? That is inexcusable. By the way, hope someone sues them for the flooding on Industry. ...

HA! wrote on Jan 5, 2008 11:24 AM:Sprinter to Ron Paul. I hope you didn't hurt yourself making THAT stretch.

Nanny government wrote on Jan 5, 2008 11:35 AM:A hearty thank you to the state PUC for holding up much needed alternative transportation in North County over what is likely a bunch of meaningless minutia. A 5,000 item checklist? That's NUTZ. The nanny goverment in America is in full bloom!!!

Another Senior Rider wrote on Jan 5, 2008 11:35 AM:Dedicated to NCTD and Sandag Wizards and Gurus.


The Kingston Trio "M.T.A."
Recorded in 1959

Ahem... wrote on Jan 5, 2008 11:37 AM:Asleep at the swith NCT editors please remove the non-relevant political sales pitches like that posted by "proud American on Jan 05". Thanks.

tori wrote on Jan 5, 2008 12:05 PM:Quite frankly, I simply can not wait for the Sprinter to start. I "hear" a lot of whining on this posting and many others, but I think the Sprinter is a good start to increase public transportation. I live in Bonsall and work in Oceanside and I can't wait to start commuting via the Sprinter instead of sitting on the parking lot 76 or sit for an hour on various bus routes...

To: Tori wrote on Jan 5, 2008 1:13 PM:Where do you plan to catch the Sprinter in Bonsall ? And at what time will you catch if to go to work in Oceanside, then When is the Sprinter going to return you home from work ? As far as I know, the Sprinter doesn't go to Bonsall. We need a lot more mini-busses to connect to the Sprinter if this train is going to be a good source for mass transportation.

mike wrote on Jan 5, 2008 2:13 PM:time for horses and buggies

George wrote on Jan 5, 2008 2:34 PM:More details about implementing mini-
buses to connect with the Sprinter are online at http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/10/14/opinion/commentary/11_28_4810_13_07.txt

Reardon wrote on Jan 5, 2008 3:27 PM:There was once a developer in North County who hired Project Managers with this speech: “if the project comes in under budget, I’ll share the profit with you. If it comes in on budget, you will work for me again. If it comes in a dime over budget, you will never again work for me.” The Sprinter goes from an estimated $60 million to $477 million, and no one gets fired? The Sprinter is the West Coast answer to Boston’s Big Dig, and a metaphor for government waste. If it made any financial sense at $60 million, it makes absolutely none at $477 million. It was going to lose money at the early estimate.

Keith wrote on Jan 5, 2008 3:50 PM:I say we spend $477 million on Cool Aid for all the Ron Paul crusaders!

Vista Watchdog wrote on Jan 5, 2008 4:20 PM:The other day I was driving along Vista Village near Down Town Vista. As I approached Santa Fe I noticed the crossing arms go down for the Sprinter. All traffic stopped along Vista Village, and about 4 minutes later (yes I timed it) a Sprinter train actually crossed the road and stopped at the station. The crossing arms, however, remained down as an east bound train was also arriving at the station. After the two trains sat in the station for another 7 minutes the East bound train pulled out and two minutes later the West bound train pulled out. Finally, after ALL traffic had been stopped for 13 minutes at Vista Village and Santa Fe, the crossing arms went back up and traffic again began to flow. Can you imagine what will happen when trains are running every 15 Minutes? By my calculations from this test run the crossing arms for the next train would have gone down 1 minute before they went up! In other words, they would be down continuously! The Sprinter is supposed to help with gridlock... Well it appears that it will be helping to CREATE GRIDLOCK! AS for those who have been waiting for the Sprinter to help them get places faster than by bus... you will have to wait for a LONG time. The express bus to Escondido from Oceanside will get you to Escondido about 30 minutes faster than the Sprinter. But, I hear rumor they are going to close that route to FORCE you to take their beloved Sprinter. Hope you all have as much time to burn as your local government has burned of our tax dollars! You'll need it!!!!

Karl wrote on Jan 5, 2008 4:21 PM:This is hilarious, some folks are actually miffed about the delays. When have any of you seen a project by any form of government come in on time and without delays? I am a General Contractor and have a great story for all of you. I replaced a door (1 door)at a local San Diego hospital (I was low bidder) and because of all the regulations, fine print and paperwork the price was about 34k. That's not a typo, 34k for one door and I was low bidder. With delays because of hospital mismanagement, lack of communication, RFI's (request for information), ASI's (Architects suplimental information) and the hospitals staff delays in making decisions the price grew with change orders to 42k and took 4 months to complete. Now keep in mind that the 42k did not include the Architechs or his consultants fees nor the time spent by hospital employees. Believe it or not I was afraid I was going to lose money. When all the accounting was done, my company turned a tidy profit of $120.37. That's right, just over $100 on a 42k project. If I had done this project in the private sector I could have replaced the door in less than a week, guaranteed the work free from defect for 10 years for $2,000 or less and made a profit between $200 and $400. How do you like them apples?

All I Can Say wrote on Jan 5, 2008 6:22 PM:Is .... thanks for the honk on New Years Eve/Day at Midnight!!

Larry wrote on Jan 5, 2008 6:34 PM:I rode the light rail in Sacramento to work for seven years. The plus side was the smoothness and quietness of the ride. The downside was the longer trip time (compared to bus travel), the additional forced transfers from and to buses, and the total collapse of the system when a train stopped due to mechanical malfunction or accident with an auto. I am a retired civil engineer with a background in traffic operations, and I see light rail, unless it is in a very densely urbanized location, as a dream daze of planners and civic leaders. I predict this Sprinter will impoverish the NCTD, causing a cutback on bus service and an increase in fees, as well as a significant deterioration in the level of service for north-south auto travel. The money would have been better spent on improving SR 78 and adding buses to the district fleet.

Walt wrote on Jan 5, 2008 7:13 PM:Carpenters say,"measure twice, cut once". Sprinter wasn't measured accurately the first time.

RBV Dad wrote on Jan 6, 2008 6:47 PM:Hey, the Sprinter would have been really cool if a new stadium was built at Goat Hill. Then there would have been somewhere worth going to.

But now that it's built, and the money's been spent, does anyone have any real ideas on maximizing it's use? How about a time where there is a non-stop between end points? That might increase folks in the Escondido area getting to the Amtrak station for a connection.

Paul wrote on Jan 7, 2008 7:57 AM:Walt, this project was more like:
(1) Measure with a micrometer.
(2) Mark with a piece of chalk.
(3) Cut with a chain saw.

Royal American wrote on Jan 7, 2008 7:55 PM:Vista Watchdog: why don't you actually read NCTD's proposed timetables? The Sprinter is faster than the Route 320 by at least 15 minutes and as traffic gets worse on 78, the Sprinter will be seen perhaps even by you as a good investment. You'd probably also whine that by not eliminating Route 320, NCTD was wasting money, so please do us all a favor and check your facts.

O'side Res wrote on Jan 8, 2008 3:41 PM:I will take the sprinter to the Coaster which I have been riding for 9 years. Thanks fellow tax payers. I will gladly pay my $145 a month which my company reimburses $105 per month for the federal tax credit. The sprinter will save me 2000 miles per year on my vehicle. that is about 100 gallons of gas. NCTD gets $1740 and I ride for free. Thank you fellow tax payers

George wrote on Jan 8, 2008 5:21 PM:Hi, Royal American! There are proposed timetables for the buses, too. The ability of the buses to actually keep those timetables is the primary consideration and it will be for the Sprinter, too. Have you already forgotten the article "NCTD adds a few minutes to length of most Coaster trips" at http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/03/16/news/coastal/3_74_573_15_07.txt ? In other words, don't make decisions based on "proposed" schedules -- check out the actual running time!

Pendleton Worker wrote on Jan 15, 2008 5:38 PM:Now that the bus schedule is supposidly lined up to work perfectly. So They Say The busses start later and end earlier tell me how am I supposed to get to work? I don't think NCTD cares. I'm not the only Civil Service Worker this is affecting either. What do we need to do to be heard? March in front of building 810. Get the news to listen to us.