South Laneagre Rapid Transit (SLRT)

> Moving the country, one person at a time.
>
> James Lee, President of the SLRT

The South Laneagre Rapid Transit (SLRT) is a federal organization that provides rapid transit services in South Laneagre. For the cargo variant, see Laneagre Cargo Railway. For the interregional variant, see Laneagre Interregional Railway.

## History

### Background

The SLRT today is composed of what used to be NationRail’s Harwich and Union City Branch.

### Founding

In June 7, 1952, the representatives of the federal and regional governments gathered together in Mirfield and suggested that the government form a passenger rail system. In June 12, 1952, Resolution #17, was passed and the South Laneagre Rapid Transit (SLRT) was created. The resolution set aside $140 million to build the first line. The first line was created in August 17, 1952 and was the Blue line, which eventually became the A. After the success of the A line, the government allocated more funds and more routes were to be built.

### The Christmas Crash

In December 28, 1955, the stock market crashed and brought the entire country to a halt. All SLRT projects were cancelled as the government ran out of money and the system was shut down for the first time. From December 28 to February 3 of next year, the SLRT was closed and the system fell into disrepair through the winter.

### Aftermath

Following the Christmas Crash, the SLRT resumed operations on March 5, 1956 after completing extensive repairs, which cost $34 million. The government then passed Resolution #34, allowing additional powers to the SLRT which crucially, included borrowing money and making it more independent. The government also set up a reserve account, so the SLRT can still run even if the government runs out of money.

### Acquiring The Z Line

The Z line had been plagued with conspiracy theories and other strange phenomenon throughout its time under the Fruitvale Railroad. The line had been riddled with accidents, deaths, and suicides since its opening in 1944. And as to no surprise, because of this, the Fruitvale Railroad had been struggling to get passengers to actually ride the line. Many passengers decided that it was just easier to take the long route on the SLRT instead of having to go through the decrepit conditions of the tunnels, trains, and stations. However, the previous nails in the coffin had been hammered in by the years of incidents. The last nail would be the Crash of 1966, when a Z train derailed and slammed into the dead end near Arc Hill, killing all occupants on board. An investigation by the South Laneagre Government soon uncover the corruption, lies, and failures of the Fruitvale Railroad that would lead to the accident.

Following the incriminating investigation, the railroad promptly filed for bankruptcy and was swiftly acquired by the SLRT in 1967. For over 4 years, the SLRT worked to fix the tattered remains of the Z line, from tunnel repairs to straight up removing stations and rebuilding them because of how badly maintained they were. On March 6, 1971, the Z line was officially instated into the SLRT network and reopened for business.

### Incidents

* In April 15, 1966, a gunman shot and injured 15 people in the Old Harwich Terminal.
* In June 19, 1970, a westbound R train derailed near Arc Hill. The cause was a incorrect switch position after a work train passed through the area.
* In September 4, 1972, a underground transformer fire near Arc Hill shut down Z service for 2 days.
* In March 1, 1979, a eastbound Z train derailed near Midway Yard, destroying tracks and supports. Service was shut down for 7 months.
* In November 30, 1980, a severe rainstorm shutdown all below-ground and on-ground lines and stations. A, B, C, G, M, Lake Merritt Shuttle, Walnut Creek Shuttle, Arkartistan Shuttle, and Z services were suspended. D, E, R service had parts suspended.

## Transit Lines in Service

* A - South Grafton Link
* B - Pleasanton Airport/Union City Skip-stop
* C - Union City Link
* D - Arkartistan/Northshore Local, Union City Local
* E - Federal Line
* F - Millbrae/Fruitvale Local
* G - Arc Hill Link
* H - Daly City Line
* L - Mt. Fre Link
* M - Harwich Metro Loop
* R - Daly City Local, Harwich Express, Pleasanton Airport Link
* S - LIR Shuttle, Walnut Creek Shuttle, Lake Merritt Shuttle, Arkartistan Shuttle
* Z - South Grafton/Fruitvale Express
* Pleasanton Airport AirTrain

## Defunct Lines

* J - South Grafton - Arc Hill Shuttle
* V - Great River Link
* W - Daly City-Union City-Mt. Fre Super Express

## Train Yards

* Harwich Terminal Yard
* Union City Yard
* Mt. Fre Yard
* Millbrae Yard
* Daly City Yard
* Arkartistan Yard
* Arc Hill Yard

## Projects

### Ongoing

* Harwich Terminal Construction
* Harwich Train Maintenance Building
* Northshore Extension
* Daly City Yard
* Hiklachi Bay Drawbridge
* Station Accessibility Improvements

### Funding

* L Line Winter Climate Damage Prevention
* Service Extensions into Southern Winter Region

### Completed

* E Line Extension to World Trade Center
* A/C Line Elevated Structural/Rail Improvements
* New Line Proposal: L
* Arc Hill Tunnel
* Sunrise/Sunset Tunnel
* Mirfield Forest Tunnel
* B/D Line Extension

### Proposed

* Increased Service on E/R Line
* E Extension to LIR Terminal, Suspension of LIR Shuttle
* R Extension to Arkartistan or Far Belmont
* F Extension to Mirfield
* New Line Proposal: K, Q, 1, 2, 3
* B Line Permanent Extension to Millbrae
* LIR Merger
* Standardize Fleet

### Cancelled/Rejected

* A Extension South
* New Line Proposal: N
* G Extension South

### Abandoned

* Midway Projects
* Z Line Union City Extension
* Z Line Fresh Pond Extension

## Trains & Maintenance

### Trains

The SLRT will sometimes manufacture their own trains for use. Although this is expensive, it allows the SLRT to quickly standardize equipment and make quicker changes in response to technological movements.

### Maintenance

All trains in the SLRT fleet are maintained in-house, with all parts being created in the factory in Harwich. Any train that is not manufactured by the SLRT itself, must have all instructions to manufacture said parts in order to maintain the train.

## Structure & Operations

### SLRT Board

The SLRT board is comprised of up to 19 people. Every board member except for guest speakers are allowed to have 1 advisor. Advisors are not allowed to vote. All people that are not advisors receive one vote. The President receives 2 votes.

1. The President
2. Head of SLRT Projects
3. Head of Vehicular & Rail Maintenance
4. SLRT Property Maintenance, Acquisitions, and Security Manager
5. Head of SLRT Finances
6. Head of SLRT Public Relations
7. SLRT Transit Workers Union President/Representative
8. 5 guest speakers

### Finances

The SLRT mainly gets its revenue from fares in stations and federal government funding. It is fully owned by the government however, it also acts as a company, reporting their finances and listing their stock on the exchange. The SLRT does not give dividends to shareholders. The SLRT also funds the Union to eliminate union fees however, the SLRT is not allowed to have any direct influence over the union.

### Fares & Transfers

Fares for the SLRT are based on a single flat fare of $4.50 for entrance and exit across the system. The system is on its transition away from paper tickets to cards that make it easier to pay the fare. There is only 1 free transfer allowed between stations or buses that lasts for 30 minutes. Customers who use the SLRT card for access to other systems (PCLRS or MRT) are given a reduced fare. During unplanned circumstances involving transit, a automatic refund is given for those in affected stations and a free pass is put into the card for the next use at a nearby station or other transit option.

### SLRT Cards

SLRT cards are transit cards that communicate with the reader at a fare gate using RFID technology, transmitting the amount left in the card, the date and time, and the serial number of the card. The reader (fare gate) will first match the serial number to the card to verify the amount and then subtract the amount left in the card by the flat rate, if possible and then send the date and time, the serial number, and the new amount left to a central hub where it is stored until. Refilling the card at a machine will send the serial number, date and time, the amount refilled, and the machine location and serial number to the central hub. Customers can also view the transaction history of the card of up to 30 days. They may also register the card to their name by sending their card and ID from their current address to the SLRT.

## SLRT News

* SLRT plans to manufacture 20 more trains to replace their aging fleet of M3s.
* SLRT loses $15 million every year due to fare evasion - Exclusive report

## Additional Information

View the current status of all tracks, tunnels, bridges, elevated lines, switches, and stations.

View all SLRT station’s pages.

## SLRT Maps

Daytime MapLate Night MapSevere Weather Map
## Trivia

* The J line was used in the Harwich Terminal Reconstruction.
* The W was used in the Harwich Terminal Reconstruction, connecting Daly City and Mt. Fre.
* All train lines are connected to each other, with the exception of the F, M, Z, and Walnut Creek Shuttle.

## References

1. ↑ M6 SLRT
2. ↑ Harwich Interactive Map
3. ↑ RFID Technology