caltrain.com - Citizens Advisory Committee

Citizens Advisory Committee

PENINSULA CORRIDOR JOINT POWERS BOARD
CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Caltrain Headquarters, Bacciocco 2nd Floor Auditorium
1250 San Carlos Avenue
San Carlos, CA 94070-1306

MINUTES

Wednesday, May 16, 2007, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT: Paul Bendix, Michael Blackman, John Hronowski, Bruce Jenkins, Michael Kiesling, Sepi Richardson, Brian Wilfley

COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT: Gerald Graham

STAFF PRESENT: Michelle Bouchard, Rosemary Lake

Chair Kiesling called the meeting to order at 6:08 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes
The minutes of April 18, 2007 were approved by the Committee.

Public Comment
Jeff Carter, Burlingame, said he was pleased that safety control officers are directing traffic and helping people cross the intersection of the Caltrain station at 4th and King Streets.

Report of the Chair
Chair Michael Kiesling said a meeting was held today at the Ferry Building to discuss issues associated with the implementation of the 3rd Street light rail. A regular Caltrain rider had circulated a petition asking that a meeting be held to discuss how this new line has affected Caltrain riders and their connections to transit in San Francisco. Comments from the meeting included the following:

Passengers need to allow 30 to 40 minutes to travel from the Caltrain station to the Embarcadero
The design of traffic and pedestrian movements at the 4th and King intersection is a liability to Muni
Passengers asked to bring back the 15 bus from the Caltrain station north
It is difficult to have one car train serving Caltrain throughout the day with the number of passengers needing service
Caltrain customers will return to driving if connectivity isn’t improved

Mr. Kiesling attended a state budget meeting in Sacramento last week and the Governor and legislature did meet to allocate more funding to California High Speed Rail to keep the project moving along.

Committee Comments
Mr. John Hronowski said the safety control officers at the 4th and King intersection are there all day long. He said an easier, more reliable and faster way to get from the Embarcadero to the Caltrain station is the 30 Stockton bus from 4th and Market Streets.

Mr. Bruce Jenkins said the bolster on the train cars numbered 3842 and 3835 on the south end of #67 was so noisy he had to change cars and asked if maintenance was addressing this problem.

Ms. Michelle Bouchard, Manager of Rail Transportation, said the gallery cars tend to have a wide wheel base and are quite rigid and as they come out of 4th and King they are routed in a jigsaw puzzled pattern through the double slip switch which causes a lot of squeak that is actually built into the design.

Mr. Paul Bendix said he needs to allow 40 minutes to complete the 12-minute ride from the Embarcadero to Caltrain. He said the Marsh Road shuttle that runs from the IBM office park to the Menlo Park Caltrain station is packed and passengers are pleased with the service and drivers.

Mr. Michael Blackman said he is currently involved with the Centralized Equipment Maintenance and Operating Facility (CEMOF) and has been involved with the CAC for years. He said that when the Director of Rail Transportation Bob Doty came onboard there were positive changes in listening and partnering with neighborhoods. He thanked Mr. Doty for a job well done.

Ms. Richardson said gas prices have increased from $1.50 to $3 per gallon of gas but public transportation funding amounts have not increased.

Staff Report
a) Presentation – February 2007 Passenger Counts

Ms. Bouchard gave the following presentation on February 2007 Passenger Counts. The count is done to provide a measure relative to previous years, evaluate service changes, maximize rolling stock efficiency, identify access issues, and determine the county split of operating contributions.

In February physical headcounts were done on every weekday train averaged over five week days and on every train for one weekend only.
Average weekday ridership is up 32.3 percent from pre-bullet in 2004 to the 96 trains in 2007. Growth is occurring in both the traditional peak and reverse peak markets with gains over 40 percent in the last three years.
There were gains in ridership in 21 of 24 stations from pre-bullet 2004. Express service ridership is up 51 percent in San Francisco, 80 percent in Palo Alto, 97 percent in Mountain View and 104 percent in Diridon.
Maximum load numbers indicate the bullet service is attracting riders but also some of the express or limited type trains that run all local in Santa Clara and southern San Mateo counties are reaching maximum loads of 117 percent and tapping an additional market of riders. We are also seeing a lot of non-traditional ridership increases for Giant’s games and special events.
Average trip length for 2007 has increased slightly from 2006 which means we are collecting more fare per rider and starting to do well in terms of fare collection even with the 2007 fare increase.
Ridership has increased in all three counties with an average increase of 32.3 percent.
The current service model is being reviewed to match consists sizes to loads, address parking issues, retain local service/eliminate local trains and continue efficiency of operations.
On-time performance is in excess of 95 percent and not significantly affected with a robust construction program along the railroad.
Farebox revenue has increased through two fare increases and the deficit has been reduced from $13 million to $6 million in two years.
Future projects will add capacity and reliability to the system and prepare us to undertake installation of san electrified system.

Comments/Questions on the Presentation
Mr. Blackman pointed out that the College Park station only serves Bellarmine High School.

Ms. Sepi Richardson asked for clarification on which two issues brought down the deficit. Ms. Bouchard said it was cost control and revenue increases.

Ms. Richardson said Caltrain’s achievements and successes in the last few years should be publicized to the public. Ms. Bouchard said this will be organized and CAC members will be notified when to expect documentation.

Mr. Bendix said disgruntled north county residents need to be informed of Caltrain’s achievements.

Ms. Richardson said Brisbane has experienced a reduction in service but the community is very receptive in looking for ways to accommodate changes and everyone would benefit in hearing of Caltrain's accomplishments.

Public Comment
Jeff Carter, Burlingame, said Caltrain is discussing the issue of a dedicated funding source. He said increased gas prices and express service have increased ridership

b) Caltrain Special Service
Ms. Bouchard said ridership for Giant’s games is up approximately 76 percent and due in part to reduced parking availability at AT&T Park. Caltrain is structuring a service plan for the All Star baseball game activities the week of July 8. There will be special service for Bay to Breakers on May 20 and Sunday service will be in effect for Memorial Day.

c) Recruitment JPB CAC
Assistant Board Secretary Rosemary Lake reported that recruitment began in April for three vacancies with applications due on May 15. Applications will be forwarded to each county’s Board with appointments to be made at the June 7 JPB meeting. There is one vacancy in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties and two in San Francisco County.

Date/Time/Place of Next Meeting
June 20, 2006 at 6 p.m., Caltrain Headquarters, Bacciocco 2nd Floor Auditorium, 1250 San Carlos Avenue, San Carlos, CA

Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 6:53 p.m.