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BayRail Alliance Applauds Federal Investment in California HSR

On January 28, 2010, President Obama announced that California will receive $2.34 billion in federal ARRA (stimulus funds) for its high speed rail and intercity rail program.

Of the $2.34 billion, approximately $90 million will support infrastructure improvements on the existing Amtrak California corridors, which will enhance train speed and frequency. The remaining $2.25 billion will be used to construct the proposed California High Speed Rail, which will be sharing the corridor with Caltrain between San Francisco and San Jose.

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VTA's Light Rail Analysis presentation

Upcoming/recent events

November 19, 2009 - BayRail General Meeting: VTA Light Rail analysis

November 19, 2009
7:00pm

VTA is conducting a Comprehensive Light Rail Analysis focusing on making the system as productive and efficient as possible.
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BayRail Alliance in the News

May 28, 2009, http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BATN/message/41596: Public: Don't cut weekend Caltrain trips

Caltrain officials got an earful from the public last night as the transit agency took comments on plans to cut its deficit by increasing fares and parking fees and cutting weekend service.
...
A five-point plan was introduced to Caltrain last night by the BayRail Alliance. The plan calls for no elimination of weekend service, no bicycle surcharge, establishing airport parking, finding dedicated funding and replacing the Caltrain Joint Powers Board with an elected district.

"We don't want to see Caltrain become commuter only," said Redwood City's Andy Chow of the BayRail Alliance. Chow also said, without dedicated funding, Caltrain will go through the same budget mess for years to come...

May 4, 2009: Published Saturday, May 2, 2009, by the Peninsula Daily

Caltrain in trouble

Caltrain announced Friday it will run out of money by this time next year if it does not declare a fiscal emergency in June -- a move that would allow it to raise fares and possibly run fewer trains or make fewer stops...

...Specific proposals will be unveiled the week before that June 4 meeting and any changes would take effect in October...

Margaret Okuzumi, executive director of Palo Alto-based transit advocacy group BayRail Alliance, called the announcement "devastating. "

"This is exactly what we had feared would happen," Okuzumi said. "This is the beginning of a downward spiral that we really don't want to be embarking on.

"I'm just so fearful that any additional fare hikes or service cuts is going to reduce ridership," Okuzumi said. "And that's a terrible thing for the environment (and) in terms of congestion on our roads."

February 27, 2008, Menlo Park Almanac:

 “On the right track? High-speed trains and grade separations could be headed this way. Are you on board?”

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