Local transportation officials are urging the board responsible
for Caltrain commuter rail service between Gilroy and San Francisco
to consider not suspending the daily runs to south Santa Clara
County because of its potential affects on San Benito County
commuters.
This week, the San Benito County Council of Governments agreed
to have its Local Transportation Authority board send a letter to
the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board formally opposing the
possible elimination of the daily Gilroy Caltrain service, which is
one idea designed to carve into a projected $12.5 million operating
budget deficit.
Local transportation officials are urging the board responsible for Caltrain commuter rail service between Gilroy and San Francisco to consider not suspending the daily runs to south Santa Clara County because of its potential affects on San Benito County commuters.
This week, the San Benito County Council of Governments agreed to have its Local Transportation Authority board send a letter to the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board formally opposing the possible elimination of the daily Gilroy Caltrain service, which is one idea designed to carve into a projected $12.5 million operating budget deficit.
“Eliminating the Caltrain service in Gilroy would make riders switch to a personal vehicle or switch to the less-direct Valley Transportation Authority bus service,” noted the letter, signed by Hollister Mayor Victor Gomez in his capacity as chairman of the LTA. Suspending the commuter rail service at its southern terminus, the letter states, “will adversely affect Hollister and San Benito County residents and the mobility options available to them.”
Transit riders, the letter contends, “help reduce single occupant vehicles which in turn helps improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion.”
The Local Transportation Authority said it, too, has had to reduce services and consider fare increases because of reduced funding. It cited the elimination of mid-day local fixed-route service and less frequent commuter shuttle weekday service to Gavilan College and weekend Gilroy Greyhound service.
“Despite the reduction in funding,” the letter states, “the LTA remained committed to its Caltrain commuters and did not reduce any of the connection services. Suspending the Gilroy Caltrain service would be devastating to our passengers who rely on your service to get to and from their place of employment.”
The LTA said suspending the Gilroy train runs would increase vehicle emissions and congestion along Highway 101 between Gilroy and San Jose.
According to a report from Betty LiOwen, a COG transportation planner, service reductions could begin as early as October, while fare increases are slated for January.
Caltrain has three runs to and from Gilroy each morning and evening.
