I would like to place my opinion here on ACE expansion south of the Lathrop/Manteca Station. I personally don't think Modesto is where it should end. I would like to see them run to Turlock, Merced, and possibly Madera. This would provide an alternative to the later Amtrak train 711/3911 service that departs Madera (7:11A), Merced (7:45A), Turlock (8:06A), and Modesto (8:23A) connecting to Amtrak buses at Stockton departing at 9:05A. Returning, it would provide better arrivals than the 3918/718 connection which returns to Modesto (8:10P), Turlock (8:24P), Merced (8:51P), and Madera (9:23P) originating from San Jose with bus service and departing Stockton at 7:37P.

Opinions to osdm@yahoo.com

This service if offered would provide a thru train from San Jose to Madera in three hours, vs. 4 hours, 45 minutes via Stockton.

------------------
Mark Landau