Caltrain Sets Two Public Hearings

By

May 29, 2009

The Caltrain Board of Directors today set two public hearings to receive comments on possible fare and service changes as well as to declare a fiscal emergency. A fiscal emergency is called if an agency is projected to have negative working capital within one year.

Caltrain is facing a projected $10.1 million deficit for Fiscal Year 2010. One-time funding sources that have been used to bridge deficits for the last seven years are largely depleted. Another key funding source, State Transit Assistance, has been eliminated for the next few years. This puts an additional strain on Caltrain’s partners – the City and County of San Francisco, San Mateo County Transit District and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority – who each rely on STA funds for their transit operations.

In addition, the deepening recession and job losses are beginning to negatively impact Caltrain ridership and revenues. March showed the first monthly ridership decline in many years.

As a result, Caltrain is forced to look at alternative fare and service scenarios to help manage the budget shortfall. Proposals were presented at community meetings, May 21.

The following proposals will be considered:

• Increase the Full Fare One-way base and/or zone fares by 25 cents
• Increase all other Full Fare and Eligible Discount fares in proportion to the Full Fare One-way increase
• Increase Go Pass pricing up to the equivalent of the full fare three-zone Monthly Pass
• Increase Go Pass participation rate up to the equivalent of 100 passes
• Increase parking fees
• Suspend all weekend service
• Reduce midday service to 1-hour headways
• Suspend Gilroy service

Both public hearings will be held at the next Caltrain Board meeting, June 4 at 10 a.m. at 1250 San Carlos Ave. in San Carlos.

Comments will be accepted up until the public hearings. To comment, attend one of the community meetings or public hearings, send e-mail to changes@caltrain.com, send regular mail to District Secretary, Caltrain, P.O. Box 3006, San Carlos, CA 94070, or call 1.800.660.4287 (TDD for hearing impaired only 650.508.6448).