BayRail Alliance

Electrification and San Francisco Downtown Extensions are not an either/or. These two projects are in fact complementary to each other. A fully electrified Caltrain serving Downtown San Francisco will produce the highest ridership and the best riding experience for Caltrain.

Without full electrification, Caltrain can still be extended to Downtown San Francisco using dual-mode locomotives, which will operate in electric mode underground and in diesel-mode above ground. However, dual-mode locomotives are not as reliable and have the same performance as diesel locomotives outside Downtown San Francisco.

Electrification without San Francisco Downtown Extension will still provide enormous benefits for all three Caltrain counties by reducing travel time, noise, and air pollution. Electrification also allows Caltrain to provide more frequent and faster service at smaller stations that are not served by Baby Bullet trains currently.

1985 — Peninsula Rail 2000 (later known as BayRail Alliance), incorporates as a nonprofit. SCR 74 study findings support PR2000 plan for transit-level Caltrain frequency, downtown SF extension to attract more than twice current ridership. PR2000 receives Certificate of Achievement from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) for its proposals and efforts to promote them.

1984 — State Senator John Foran, lobbied by PR2000, sponsors Senate Concurrent Resolution 74 (SCR 74). Bill calls for a comprehensive study of rail alternatives for the Peninsula and a local agency to administer and fund train service.

1983 — PR2000 releases a series of white papers, including "5-Point Program To Develop and Improve Peninsula Rail Service," to extend Caltrain to downtown San Francisco (from Fourth and Townsend to Market or Mission Street), increase its frequency and service hours to approach or match those of BART, operate electric-powered trains (instead of diesel), form a new transit district to operate Caltrain, and use self-service (POP) ticketing. Members hand out newsletters to train riders, make presentations to Peninsula city councils, SamTrans; appear on local radio stations.