A grass-roots group of Caltrain supporters will hold a Summit to
Save Caltrain on Saturday in San Carlos to rally riders to support
solutions for the agency which is lacking a dedicated source of
funding of $30 million.
A grass-roots group of Caltrain supporters will hold a Summit to Save Caltrain on Saturday in San Carlos to rally riders to support solutions for the agency which is lacking a dedicated source of funding of $30 million.
As Caltrain begins its budget process it faces the prospect of drastic cuts to its service, including eliminating train lines to Gilroy, Morgan Hill and 48 other trains during weekday commute times.
If Caltrain can’t find funding, all other service would be eliminated including: weekday service outside the commute peak, weekend service and service south of the San Jose Diridon station. The schedule also would require the suspension of service at up to seven stations.
Caltrain is the only Bay Area transit system without a permanent, dedicated funding source such as a sales tax. The Saturday meeting will review several possible solutions to save the San Francisco-to-South County train service.
This fiscal year, passenger fares make up about 44 percent of the operating budget and contributions from the partner agencies make up 34 percent.
Caltrain currently operates 86 weekday trains, including 22 express trains, with an average ridership of 40,000. Saturday service includes 36 local trains and four express trains; Sunday service includes 32 local trains and four express trains.
