If we don't want to sit in gridlock on the Peninsula in the coming years, and we don't want to build new freeways, then we must increase the capacity of Caltrain to carry more passengers.
Caltrain is in a situation now where increases in diesel fuel prices and other costs related to labor, such as health insurance premiums, are outpacing even the healthy growth in ridership. The year is quickly approaching when Caltrain, filled to capacity, will be unable to accommodate additional riders during peak hours. In the near future, Caltrain may be forced to raise fares even more, and cut service. There is a very real danger of triggering a downward spiral of decreasing service, decreasing ridership, and higher fares.
Electrification is a proven method worldwide of cutting operating costs, and Caltrain staff have prepared analyses of how many more extra seats they can offer at reduced operating cost if Caltrain is electrified, in their Project 2025 presentation.
Caltrain has a lot of aging equipment that will need to be replaced soon. Since Caltrain has to replace a lot of equipment in any case, now is the time to spend some extra money to do it right and allow Caltrain to grow and sustain service over the next few decades. Electrification of Caltrain will revolutionize transit on the Peninsula, attract tens of thousands of new riders, and set an example in the U.S. of what rail transit can be.
BayRail Alliance
|
CaltrainCaltrain bike tipsSome tips when taking your bicycle onto Caltrain to make it a more pleasant experience for you and others:
Positioning before boarding
Caltrain bike tagsMake your own Caltrain bike destination tags using our template and a name badge holder (use the kind of name badge that clips on and where you slide your tag in from the top).
General Meeting April 17, 2008Carbon Neutral Rail Service Time/date: What would it take to make the Caltrain run entirely on solar power? Joining us will be David Dearborn, a San Jose native who has developed a concept for Carbon Neutral Rail Service (CNRS). His presentation will be his first public presentation of this concept. He is looking for critical, constructive feedback to assess its long term feasibility and value. Your questions, input and critique are most welcome. Bring your calculators, note pads and curiosity.
After 30 years in the microwave component and telecommunications equipment industry, David continues to explore the world around him, research, develop and test new ideas and enjoy the creative process. Since obtaining his BS in Business Administration from San Jose State, his management career has included procurement, manufacturing, manufacturing engineering and project management. His work has taken him to Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Malaysia, and personal travels though much of Europe. As an avid cyclist he feels the greater Bay Area and much of California offer some of the best riding experiences in the world. He looks forward to meeting with us. Location: Caltrain: New entrance and exit doors for bikesTime/date: March 2008 Source: According to a Caltrain onboard card, Caltrain will be placing new signs on Bombardier bike cars indicating entrance and exit doors in order to improve passenger flow and reduce crowing. The northern most door will be designated as the entrance and the southern most door will be designated as the exit.Currently each Bombardier bike car can accomodate 16 bicycles. Muni to extend 108-Treasure Island bus to CaltrainTime/date: Feb 23, 2008 Source: SF Muni Effective February 23, Muni's 108-Treasure Island bus route will be extended in the afternoon and evening (2:00pm - 10:pm) from Transbay Terminal to the 4th & King Caltrain Station. From Treasure Island, the bus will stop on 1st Street between Mission Street and Howard Street in downtown San Francisco, and continue non-stop to the Caltrain Station. From the Caltrain Station, the bus will run non-stop to the upper level of Transbay Terminal before heading to Treasure Island. http://www.sfmta.com/cms/malerts/PermanentservicechangeseffectiveFebruary232008.htm Caltrain to open new northbound platform at Burlingame StationTime/date: Feb 25, 2008 Source: On Feb 25, Caltrain will open the new northbound platform at Burlingame Station. The new northbound platform will be on the east side of the station, opposite from the main station building. Passengers must use the crossings at North Lane or Howard Avenue to access the southbound platform. Ticket vending machines and validators will be available on the new platform. Southbound passengers can board the trains as it is currently. Once the project is completed, the "hold out" rule at Burlingame Station will be removed, improving overall reliability. The rebuilt platforms will also be accessible to passengers in wheelchairs. http://www.caltrain.com/news_2008_02_18_New_Platform_Burlingame_Station.html Caltrain to add two new evening trainsTime/date: March 3, 3008 Source: On March 3, 2008, Caltrain will change its evening schedule with the additions of two new trains. Under the new schedule, local trains will leave San Francisco and San Jose hourly from 7:30pm until 10:30pm. In San Francisco, the last train will still leave at midnight. The new schedule will address the gaps in the current schedule, where some trains operate more than an hour apart, and provide more options for evening commuters. Caltrain hopes the new schedule will also reduce the number of special trains to be operated after Giants ball games and other events. Caltrain is able to provide the additional service due to labor efficiency of the new maintenance facility in San Jose. http://www.caltrain.com/info_timetable_change_proposal_march_2008.html Caltrain to start shuttle from Belmont to Hillsdale StationTime/date: March 3, 2008 Source: Starting March 3, 2008, Caltrain will launch a new weekday shuttle between Belmont and Hillsdale stations during morning and afternoon peak hours. The shuttle will help ease the parking crunch at Hillsdale Station, improve utilization of parking at Belmont Station, and enhance access to the Baby Bullet trains by Belmont residents. Currently, one train per hour stops in Belmont during the peak hours. With the introduction of the new shuttle, parking at Belmont Station will be free. The shuttle ride is expected to take five to ten minutes. http://sanmateodailynews.com/article/2008-2-5-02-05-bm-shuttle Also on the same day, Caltrain will adjust its evening train schedule with two additional trains. Regional Rail Plan WorkshopsTime/date: August 15 - 27, 2007 Source: MTC Track the Bay Area’s rail future at a public meeting on the Draft Regional Rail PlanAfter 18 months of analysis and stakeholder involvement, a draft regional rail plan for expanding the region’s network of rail lines has been completed.
The Draft Regional Rail Plan was made to identify potential rail passenger and rail freight improvements for the near-, intermediate-, and long-term and the economics of different scenarios. Wednesday, August 15, 2007 in Oakland MTC Joseph P Bort MetroCenter Lawrence D. Dahms Auditorium 101 Eighth Street, Oakland Session 1: 3 - 5 PM Session 2: 6 - 8 PM each session is identical, just held at different times. The format is an open house the first 1/2 hour followed by presentation/discussion. Thursday, August 16 in San Jose Santa Clara County Bldg Senter Auditorium Session 1: 3 - 5 PM Session 2: 6 - 8 PM Monday, August 20 in Suisun City Suisun City Hall Council Chambers 701 Civic Center Blvd., Suisun City Session 1: 3 - 5 PM Session 2: 6 - 8 PM Wednesday, August 22, 2007 in Livermore Livermore Public Library Community Rooms A & B 1188 S. Livermore Ave., Livermore Session 1: 3 - 5 PM Session 2: 6 - 8 PM Monday, August 27, 2007 in San Carlos CCAG offices San Mateo County 1250 San Carlos Ave, 2nd floor Auditorium San Carlos 3:30 PM - 5 PM one session only at this location 
|