Editorials

OAKLAND— Transit officials are taking a look at a new mass transit system that would use small trams instead of trains and would look similar to a freeway with rest areas. 

Projections of low-cost construction and overwhelming convenience have seemed unrealistic in the past. But the idea has finally caught the attention of BART and the Port of Oakland. It would be used primarily around Oakland International Airport and as a feeder to BART for hard-to-reach locations such as Alameda. 

Based on a concept called Group Rapid Transit, the system involves dozens of electronically powered and computer-operated “trams” to take passengers direct to their destination. 

Instead of having one large train stop at many stations, the group rapid transit concept calls for many small trains stopping at few stations. 

“Some people look at (it) and say that is Jetsons-type stuff and we don’t need to waste money on that,” said Richard Lu, a senior analyst in BART’s research and development department. “It is so new that nobody wants to look foolish, but given the politics and demand out there for new connections, we thought that it was worthwhile to at least take a look.” 

The cost of construction has been estimated at $10 million a mile, compared with BART’s $100 million a mile. 

Alameda-based CyberTran Inc. developed and tested a prototype of a tram that can be used on the system. The firm also has developed computer models of how the system could work in the San Francisco Bay area.