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51-591: Palo Alto station (also called Palo Alto Transit Center ) is an intermodal transit center in Palo Alto, California . It is served by Caltrain regional rail service, SamTrans and Santa Clara VTA local bus service, Dumbarton Express regional bus service, the Stanford University Marguerite Shuttle , and several local shuttle services. Palo Alto is the second-busiest Caltrain station after San Francisco , averaging 7,764 weekday boardings by

102-504: A 2018 count. The Caltrain station has two side platforms serving the two tracks of the Peninsula Subdivision and a nearby bus transfer plaza. The San Francisco and San Jose Railroad was built through then-empty land north of Mayfield in 1863. The first Palo Alto station was opened in 1890 to serve the then-newly established Stanford University . It was replaced by a larger depot in 1896. The Southern Pacific Railroad opened

153-464: A car can cut costs for fuel and parking, and some families no longer need to own and operate multiple cars. Environmental benefits can also increase (i.e. less pollution) and reduced traffic congestion can deliver significant cost savings to the city and local government. Many transit agencies have begun installing bike racks on the front of buses, as well as in the interior of buses, trains, and even on ferries. These transit bike racks allow cyclists

204-469: A certain degree of coordination, scheduling issues with mass transit can often be an issue. For example, a sometimes-late train can be an annoyance, and an often-late train can make a commute impractical. Weather can also be a factor. Even when the use of an automobile is involved, the transition from one mode of transportation to another often exposes commuters to the elements. As a result, multi-mode commuters often travel prepared for inclement weather. In

255-403: A large role in mixed mode commuting. Rapid transit such as express bus or light rail may cover most of the distance, but sit too far out from commute endpoints. At 3 mph walking, 2 miles represents about 40 minutes of commute time; whereas a bicycle may pace 12 mph leisurely, cutting this time to 10 minutes. When the commuter finds the distance between the originating endpoint (e.g.

306-553: A location further out than practical walking distance but not more than practical cycling distance to reduce housing costs. Similarly, a commuter can close an even further distance quickly with an ebike , motorcycle, or car, allowing for the selection of a more preferred living area somewhat further from the station than would be viable by walking or simple bicycle. Other cost advantages of mixed mode commuting include lower vehicle insurance via Pay As You Drive programs; lower fuel and maintenance costs; and increased automobile life. In

357-762: A new facility, as at the William F. Walsh Regional Transportation Center in Syracuse, New York , or South Station in Boston, Massachusetts . In other cases new facilities, such as the Alewife Station In Cambridge, Massachusetts , were built from the start to emphasize intermodalism. Regional transit systems in the United States often include regional intermodal transit centers that incorporate multiple types of rail and bus services alongside park and ride amenities. Until

408-767: A new station in 1941 as part of a grade separation project. Designed by John H. Christie , it was constructed in the Streamline Moderne style to match the railroad's Daylight series of streamlined passenger trains. Intercity service to Palo Alto ended in 1971; the Peninsula Commute service continued and was renamed Caltrain in 1985. The station building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Palo Alto Southern Pacific Railroad Depot in 1996. The San Francisco and San Jose Railroad opened from San Francisco to Mayfield in 1863, and to San Jose

459-757: A passenger ferry. Prior to the widespread use of automobiles, the San Francisco Bay Area featured a complex network of ferry services which connected numerous interurban and streetcar systems in the North and East Bay to the San Francisco Ferry Building , where several city streetcar lines began service. The opening of the rail-carrying San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge and automotive Golden Gate Bridge almost entirely supplanted these services. Sonoma–Marin Area Rail Transit commuter rail

510-605: A replacement southbound platform would be built between two southbound tracks. University Avenue would be split into a one-way pair flanking a new city park. The bus plaza would gain a western entrance with direct access to El Camino Real . In 2013, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority proposed relocating the bus plaza onto both sides of University Avenue. Among the possibilities being considered for eliminating grade crossings in Palo Alto were

561-518: A short commute to train stations, airports, and piers, where all-day " park and ride " lots are often available. Used in this context, cars offer commuters the relative comfort of single-mode travel, while significantly reducing the financial and environmental costs. Taxicabs and rental cars also play a major role in providing door-to-door service between airports or train stations and other points of travel throughout urban , suburban , and rural communities. (Automobiles can also be used as

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612-464: A specific example of this; feeder buses service local neighbourhoods by taking travellers from their homes to nearby train stations which is important if the distances are too far to comfortably walk; at the end of the working day the buses take the travellers home again. Feeder buses work best when they are scheduled to arrive at the railway station shortly before the train arrives allowing enough time for commuters to comfortably walk to their train, and on

663-456: A stop there. Ferry service has recently been revived, but passengers must exit the terminal and walk across the pier to the more modest ferry slip. With the opening of the Woodside and Birkenhead Dock Street Tramway in 1873, Birkenhead Dock railway station probably became the world's first tram to train interchange station . Public transportation systems such as train or metro systems have

714-446: A viaduct, a trench, and long tunnel under the downtown area. In April 2024, the town narrowed these to a vehicle underpass and a partial raising of the tracks. Palo Alto station is also a major transfer point for regional and local bus systems: Dumbarton Express, SamTrans, VTA, and some Marguerite buses stop in a bus plaza northwest of the station building (adjacent to the southbound platform). Some Marguerite buses instead stop south of

765-552: A way to complete the trip. Most transportation modes have always been used intermodally; for example, people have used road or urban railway to an airport or inter-regional railway station. Intermodal transport has existed for about as long as passenger transport itself. People switched from carriages to ferries at the edge of a river too deep to ford. In the 19th century, people who lived inland switched from train to ship for overseas voyages. Hoboken Terminal in Hoboken, New Jersey ,

816-670: Is expected to feature a connection with the Golden Gate Ferry and service to San Francisco Ferry Building at Larkspur Landing . The Hercules station is to be the first direct Amtrak -to-ferry transit hub in the San Francisco Bay . The Staten Island Railway , while operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority , does not have a physical connection to the rest of New York City 's rail network. As such, transfers to Manhattan are facilitated by

867-431: Is often called "bike and ride". To safeguard against theft or vandalism of parked bicycles at these train, bus, and ferry stations, "bike and ride" transport benefits greatly from secure bicycle parking facilities such as bicycle parking stations being available. Some train, bus, and ferry systems allow commuters to take their bicycles aboard, allowing cyclists to ride at both ends of the commute, though sometimes this

918-465: Is particularly of use in areas where trains may travel but automobiles cannot, such as the Channel Tunnel . Another system called NIMPR is designed to transport electric vehicles on high speed trains. A train ferry is a ship designed to carry railway vehicles. While usually used to carry freight vehicles, passenger cars can also be carried. In other places passengers move between passenger cars to

969-415: Is restricted to off-peak travel periods: in such cases, folding bicycles may be permitted where regular bicycles are not. In some cities, bicycles are permitted aboard trains and buses. In some cities a public bicycle rental programme allows commuters to take a public bike between the public transport station and a docking station near their origin or destination. The use of "bike and ride" instead of

1020-479: Is that turnstiles are located on the platforms between rail services in addition to on a separate concourse to allow for direct transfers. Millbrae Intermodal Terminal is also planned to be incorporated into the California High-Speed Rail project as one of two stations between San Francisco and San Jose . Mixed mode commuting combines the benefits of walking , bicycle commuting , or driving with

1071-426: Is the second-busiest Caltrain station after San Francisco , averaging 7,764 weekday boardings by a 2018 count. A 2007 city report called for additional expansion and renovation of the station area in conjunction with the California High-Speed Rail project. The rail line would be widened to four tracks with two island platforms—an additional northbound track would be built east of the existing northbound platform, and

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1122-548: The Southern Pacific Railroad , and was the railroad's chief architect from 1924 to 1947. Christie was born Johann Heinrich Christiansen in 1878, emigrated from Germany, and was naturalized as an American citizen in 1899. He studied architecture in Pennsylvania and Europe, then returned to Oakland, California . He was hired by Southern Pacific as a junior draftsman in 1904 working for civil engineer John D. Isaacs, and

1173-448: The Toronto streetcar system or with airport shuttle buses which transports to bus, subway and rail connections at Union Station . Several passenger rail systems offer services that allow travelers to bring their automobiles with them. These usually consist of automobile carrying wagons attached to normal passenger trains, but some special trains operate solely to transport automobiles. This

1224-408: The free Staten Island Ferry . In recent years, an increasing emphasis has been placed on designing facilities that make such transfers easier and more seamless. These are intended to help passengers move from one mode (or form) of transportation to another. An intermodal station may service air, rail, and highway transportation for example. In some cases, facilities were merged or transferred into

1275-408: The $ 35 million Palo Alto Stations Improvement Project at the Palo Alto and California Avenue stations. At Palo Alto, the northern underpass was modified to make it accessible, allowing the nearby pedestrian level crossing to be closed. The platforms (shortened significantly since the station was built) were rebuilt and lengthened. New lighting, shelters, and message signs were installed. Palo Alto

1326-472: The United States fare integration is often lacking, making passengers "pay extra for the 'privilege' of having a connection". This is largely a non-issue in European cities where all modes of local public transit follow the same ticketing scheme and a ticket for e.g. the metro will be valid on buses or commuter rail. John H. Christie John H. Christie (1878–1960) was an American architect who worked for

1377-606: The ability to ride their bicycle to the bus/train/ferry, take the mode of transportation, then ride again to their final destination. These types of racks combined with increased bike infrastructure and bike parking have made bike commuting a frequent topic of discussion by cities and local government. Many cities have extended subway or rail service to major urban airports. This provides travellers with an inexpensive, frequent and reliable way to get to their flights as opposed to driving or being driven, and contending with full up parking, or taking taxis and getting caught in traffic jams on

1428-507: The airport, without passing through customs and immigration control, effectively like having a transit from one flight to another. The airport is well-connected with expressways and an Airport Express train service. A seaport and logistics facilities will be added in the near future. Kansai International Airport is also connected to Kobe Airport with ferries. The Toronto Island ferry connects Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to mainland Toronto , where passengers can connect to

1479-400: The benefits of rapid transit while offsetting some of the major disadvantages of each. The use of a bicycle can, for example, make an (inexpensive compared to a car) 20 mile light-rail or suburban rail journey attractive even if the endpoints of the journey each sit 1 mile out from the stations: the 30 minutes walking time becomes 8 minutes bicycling. As in the example above, location plays

1530-400: The car. Kiss and ride is usually conducted when the train/bus/ferry station is close to home, so that the driver dropping the commuter off has a short journey to and from home. Many large cities link their railway network to their bus network. This enables commuters to get to places that are not serviced directly by rail as they are often considered to be too far for walking. Feeder buses are

1581-477: The centerpiece of a multi-mode commute, with drivers resorting to walking or cycling to their final destination. Commuters to major cities take this route when driving is convenient, but parking options at the destination are not readily available.) Transport planners often try to encourage automobile commuters to make much of their journey by public transport . One way of doing this is to provide car parking places at train or bus stations where commuters can drive to

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1632-455: The commuters' return journey buses are scheduled to arrive shortly after the train arrives so that the buses are waiting to take the commuters home. If train and bus services are very frequent then this scheduling is unimportant as the commuter will in any case have a very short wait to interchange. All around the world bicycles are used to get to and from train and other public transportation stations; this form of intermodal passenger transport

1683-730: The completion of San Francisco Salesforce Transit Center , the Millbrae Intermodal Terminal in California is the largest intermodal transit center west of the Mississippi which includes direct on-platform connections between BART , the Bay Area's regional rail system, Caltrain , the San Francisco Peninsula's commuter rail, and SamTrans , the regional bus service for San Mateo County . The uniqueness of this transfer facility

1734-415: The exterior. A shelter was built on the eastern (northbound) platform; it was later modified with more open ends and larger windows. Three pedestrian underpasses were built: one north of the station building and a pair flanking University Avenue. Although the relocated right-of-way was built to fit four tracks, only three tracks were built; a narrow island platform (typical of SP stations) was located between

1785-496: The home) and the destination (e.g. the place of employment) too far to be enjoyable or practical, commute by car or motorcycle to the station may remain practical, as long as the commute from the far end station to the destination is practical by walking, a carry-on cycle, or another rapid transit such as a local or shuttle bus. In general, locations close to major transit such as rail stations carry higher land value and thus higher costs to rent or purchase. A commuter may select

1836-421: The most efficient means and highest capacity to transport people around cities. Therefore, mixed-mode commuting in the urban environment is largely dedicated to first getting people onto the train network and once off the train network to their final destination. Although automobiles are conventionally used as a single-mode form of transit, they also find use in a variety of mixed-mode scenarios. They can provide

1887-573: The most extreme cases, a mixed-mode commuter may opt to car share and pay only a small portion of purchase, fuel, maintenance, and insurance, or to live car-free . These cost benefits are offset by costs of transit, which can vary. A Maryland MTA month pass valid for MTA Light Rail, Metro Subway, and City Bus costs $ 64, while a month pass for the Baltimore to DC MARC costs $ 175.00 and a DC MetroRail 7 day pass costs $ 47 totaling $ 182. In most of Europe de:Verkehrsverbund and mode neutral pricing eliminate

1938-474: The need to have several different tickets for public transit across different modes. Mobility as a service intends to take this a step further, offering one price per trip from door to door, no matter which mode is used for which part of the trip. The effectiveness of a mixed-mode commute can be measured in many ways: speed to destination, convenience, security, environmental impact, and proximity to mass transit are all factors. Because mixed-mode commutes rely on

1989-409: The next year. Several decades later, Leland Stanford founded the new town of Palo Alto to the north of Mayfield. Palo Alto station was opened in 1890 to serve the then-newly established Stanford University . The original structure had open sides supported by posts; it was enclosed in 1893 for use as a waiting room. A temporary building for ticket sales, telegraphy, and baggage was constructed between

2040-535: The station building was refurbished and landscaping was added. AC Transit began operating service between Union City station and Palo Alto station over the Dumbarton Bridge – later branded Dumbarton Express – on September 10, 1984. The station was added to the National Register of Historic Places as an example of the Streamline Moderne style on April 18, 1996. In April 1999, the former baggage building

2091-442: The station building. Most other shuttles and some Marguerite buses stop near the northbound platform. Intermodal passenger transport Mixed-mode commuting often centers on one type of rapid transit , such as regional rail , to which low-speed options (i.e. bus , tram , or bicycle ) are appended at the beginning or end of the journey. Trains offer quick transit from a suburb into an urban area, where passengers can choose

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2142-399: The station, park their cars and then continue on with their journey on the train or bus: this is often called "park and ride". Similar to park and ride is what is often termed "kiss and ride". Rather than drive to the train or bus station and park the commuter is driven to the station by a friend or relative (parent, spouse etc.) The "kiss" refers to the peck on the cheek as the commuter exits

2193-417: The tracks and Alma Street just south of the station. A temporary station on the east side of the tracks was built in 1939, and the cornerstone for a new station building was laid on October 20, 1940. The new station was opened with a parade on March 8, 1941. The whole project cost $ 700,000 (equivalent to US$ 11,188,000 in 2023), most of which was paid for by the federal government. The new station building

2244-470: The tracks and a marquee at the rear. The larger building housed the ticket office and waiting room , with the smaller baggage room to the north. The waiting room contains a 1944 mural by John McQuarrie (who painted murals in several SP stations) showing facts and events in the history of California. The station's design is typical of the Streamline Moderne movement; it has porthole windows, substantial use of glass blocks, and horizontal "speed lines" on

2295-617: The waiting room and a retrofitted former boxcar. (That boxcar had previously been used as the Los Gatos station, and was later used as the Los Altos station). A new station, costing $ 5,500 (equivalent to US$ 173,000 in 2023), was completed in 1896. Substantially larger than the previous depot, it had five wooden arches styled after the Richardsonian Romanesque masonry arches of the university campus. The architecturally-plain station

2346-537: The way to the airport. Many airports now have some mass transit link, including London , Sydney , Munich , Hong Kong , Vancouver , Philadelphia , Cleveland , New York City (JFK) , Delhi , and Chennai . At the Hong Kong International Airport , ferry services to various piers in the Pearl River Delta are provided. Passengers from Guangdong can use these piers to take a flight at

2397-569: The western and center tracks. The platforms were 1,400 feet (430 m) long to accommodate longer intercity trains. Intercity service to Palo Alto lasted until May 1, 1971, when Amtrak took over service from the private railroads. The San Francisco– Monterey Del Monte was discontinued, while the San Francisco–Los Angeles Coast Daylight was rerouted via Oakland. SP Peninsula Commute local service (renamed Caltrain in 1985) continued to stop at Palo Alto. In 1982,

2448-657: Was built to let commuters to New York City from New Jersey switch to ferries to cross the Hudson River in order to get to Manhattan . A massive ferry slip , now in ruins, was incorporated into the terminal building. Later, when a subway was built through tunnels under the Hudson, now called the PATH , a station stop was added to Hoboken Terminal. More recently, the New Jersey Transit 's Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system has included

2499-466: Was constructed in the Streamline Moderne style, in contrast to the earlier Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival buildings in Palo Alto designed by Birge Clark . Designed by SP architect John H. Christie , the building's aesthetics were inspired by the railroad's Daylight series of streamlined passenger trains. The station is 215 feet (66 m) long by 25 feet (7.6 m) wide; it consists of two buildings connected with an arcade facing

2550-400: Was converted into a free staffed bike station with 80 spaces. It was closed on October 27, 2004, for asbestos removal as part of a $ 1.2 million renovation of the station buildings. The bicycle station reopened on February 27, 2007, as a paid and unstaffed facility with 96 spaces. The bus plaza adjacent to the station building was renovated in 2005. From 2008 to 2009, Caltrain constructed

2601-407: Was never locally popular, and calls came for its replacement as early as the 1920s. The Peninsular Railway served University Avenue, with a stop in front of the station between 1910 and 1934. In 1939, the Southern Pacific Railroad (SP) began a grade separation project in Palo Alto. The tracks were moved 80 feet (24 m) west and raised 5 feet (1.5 m), with University Avenue lowered under

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