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To the Editor: 

If we are going to have transit corridors in Berkeley, then we must consider frankly the problems with BART. BART was built as though AC Transit did not exist. BART stations are on lightly traveled bus routes and are at odd locations. Buses have to make circuitous trips through BART stations, and riders have to walk far too long to transfer. BART tried to change travel patterns and now finds itself an inconvenience to riders. 

Shouldn’t BART have been located on College Avenue with the first station under Sproul Plaza, the second at University and Shattuck avenues, and the third at University and San Pablo avenues, and continuing to Richmond along San Pablo? 

Berkeley had voted for underground BART and the contract came in under the estimated cost, but it was squandered in several ways. The use of the Santa Fe right of way was shear folly as hardly anyone was going along that route. Albany voted not to have a BART station. 

Placement of the North Berkeley BART station has eliminated many single family residences and disrupted the whole community. It will bring pressure to have apartment complexes and convenience stores near the station. Is concentrated development around BART stations what we want? What would it cost to redo it correctly? Can BART be rerouted so that it serves more people safely?  

Charles Smith 

Berkeley