Commuter: What is the high-pitched, metallic, screaming noise I hear for hours at a time from the vicinity of the BART Concord maintenance yard? I live near the facility and hear the noise at all hours, even late at night.

Danny, Concord

Queen: Danny, your question led to a fascinating insight into the inner workings of BART. Since the transit agency's lines don't loop, cars are always running back and forth with one end of the car pointed in the same direction. In order to wear the wheels evenly, BART rotates the cars on a regular basis, using a turnabout similar to the ones we all associate with San Francisco's cable cars.

The turnabout at the Concord yard was making a high-pitch sound as crews rotated rail cars because of malfunctioning parts, said BART spokesman Jim Allison. After the parts were repaired, the shrieking subsided.

Now, Danny reports to the Queen that the sound is much quieter and only occurring for brief intervals, instead of driving Danny — and, presumably, his neighbors — ever closer to the threshold of madness with endless squeals of metallic anguish. Her Majesty is gratified to have been of service (her able assistant and First Knight, transportation writer Denis Cuff, aided in the endeavor).

While we're on the subject of BART, as many of you know, BART has a counterpart in Atlanta, MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority). Loyal Subjects, do you know of other

Commuter: Last night, I was on my way home, driving north through El Cerrito on San Pablo Avenue. The light ahead turned yellow, and I slowed down to stop. I don't mean I jammed on the brakes, though I did slow somewhat abruptly. The guy in back of me was tailgating, honked at me for stopping at the light, swerved into the right lane, and zoomed through the light, which was red by then. The mind boggles. What are people thinking?

Kate Gilpin, Richmond

Queen: From time to time, the Queen likes to help readers blow off steam by sharing outrageous stories of traffic misbehavior. The above story certainly qualifies.

Speaking of letting off steam, here's another opportunity to vent — this time about transit service cuts.

This newspaper is looking for commuters to share stories for an upcoming series about the funding crisis facing Bay Area transit agencies and the impacts of service cuts on riders, the economy and the environment.

The series will explore the advantages and disadvantages of commuting in cars as opposed to public transportation. Please e-mail your name, a short description of your commuting situation and daytime phone number to staff writer Mike Rosenberg at mike.rosenberg@bayareanewsgroup.com, or call him at 650-348-4324.

HOW TO CONTACT THE QUEEN

Got questions about your commute? Whether you drive, ride, bike or walk, write the Queen at The Commuter Page, c/o The Times, P.O. Box 8099, Walnut Creek, CA 94598, or ccncommuter@bayareanewsgroup.com. Visit her at www.contracostatimes.com/queen-of-the-road.