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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 17, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.
STAFF LIAISON: Robert Doty, Director of Rail Transportation
COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Michael Blackman, Paul Bendix, Gerald Graham, John Hronowski,
Bruce Jenkins, Sepi Richardson, Brian Wilfley
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
Suvashis Bhattacharya, Michael Kiesling
STAFF PRESENT:
Michelle Bouchard, Jon Brown, Will Hastings, Jennifer Hardie
Chair Richardson called the meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of April 19, 2006 were unanimously approved by the Committee.
Public Comment
Steve Van Pelt, Menlo Park, said since
the schedule lists trains by a three digit
number, the train should have a three digit
number on them rather than the two digits they
currently display. He suggested that by making
the numbers consistent, customers wouldn’t be
confused and board the incorrect train. Mr. Van
Pelt also suggested having validators on board
the train with an add zone ticket machine.
Andy Chow, Redwood City, said that yesterday the
Baby Bullet #322 was supposed to pass the local train
between Palo Alto and Mountain View but the local left
ahead of the Baby Bullet, causing the Baby Bullet to be
slowed down. Michelle Bouchard, Manager of Rail
Planning & Analysis, responded that if an express
train is late, the train preceding the express can
leave, helping to keep the system run on time.
Presentation on System Safety Improvements –
Capital Program 2007
Steve LaRocco, Deputy Director for Program
Management, gave a presentation on safety
improvements along the railway, which included
an overview of Operation Lifesaver and the
“Don’t Shortcut Life” safety campaign, station
improvements, a fencing program, grade
crossing improvements and installing
cameras on trains.
Mr. Blackman said there are many trespassers at
Santa Clara station. Mr. LaRocco responded that staff
is currently working to develop a new station design,
which may include an underpass for pedestrians.
Although the project is not currently in the capital
program at this time, staff is working with the City of
Santa Clara and with the Valley Transportation
Authority to mitigate the trespassing problem.
Mr. Wilfley said he is surprised to hear that some
communities are opposed to fencing. He asked if
there was anything that the CAC could do to move
the fencing program forward. Mr. La Rocco
responded that in light of the recent press Caltrain has
received due to fatalities, communities may be more open.
Ms. Bouchard added that this year, Caltrain is reaching
out to passengers and the public to help raise awareness
about safety awareness, in the hopes that the community
can work together to prevent future rail suicides. Three
Caltrain employees will participate in this year’s
“Out of the Darkness” overnight walk, which is sponsored
by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Mr. Hronowski asked if there was a trigger that could
sense if a person or vehicle was stuck between the rail
crossings. Mr. LaRocco responded that there is no
notification if someone is stuck on the tracks. However,
the traffic signals are set to go green right before
turning red when a train approaches.
Public Comment
Doug DeLong, Mountain View, said there was an article
in the Mercury News that suggested grade crossing
fatalities are down but midline fatalities are up when
compared to historical data.
Steve Van Pelt, Menlo Park, said pedestrian gates
need to be audible for those who are visually
impaired. Ms. Bouchard responded that the
gates currently do have audible guides.
Adrian Brandt, San Francisco, said Amtrak police
should be able to issue citations to those trying to
cross the tracks before the train. He said he has
seen many people at Whipple in Redwood City pass
onto the tracks because they know the signal will
turn green right before the train approaches. He
also suggested painting the fences black, which
may be more visually appeasing.
Ed DeLanoy, San Carlos, said a new child safety
education program needs to be implemented.
Discussion/Presentation of the Caltrain Short Range
Transit Plan
This item was tabled until the next meeting.
Chairperson’s Report
Ms. Richardson said she attended the last JPB board meeting.
The preliminary FY2007 operating budget was distributed and
there is currently a $4 million shortfall.
Committee Comments
Brian Wilfley – Mr. Wilfley said he was recently
impressed by how clean the seats were on the train.
Paul Bendix – Mr. Bendix said in the evenings at the
Mountain View station, a shadow is cast over the
wheelchair area painted on the platform. He also
said he has noticed many cyclists getting turned
away on regular service because of Giants fans
riding on game nights.
Michael Blackman – Mr. Blackman asked if we
had fuel warmers so that the locomotives wouldn’t
need to be started every hour. Ms. Bouchard said
she would bring a response to the next meeting.
Staff Report
Ms. Bouchard reported:
On-time Performance (OTP) – May OTP was 95 percent.
Special Service – Caltrain continues to offer special
baseball service to AT&T Park for the San Francisco Giants
home games. Ridership has been higher than expected.
Special service was provided for the KaBoom concert in
San Francisco on May 13 and for the Bay to Breakers
race on May 21. Sunday service will be operated on
Memorial Day and Fourth of July.
Date/Time/Place of Next Meeting
June 21, 2006 at 6 p.m., Caltrain Headquarters, Bacciocco
2nd Floor Auditorium, 1250 San Carlos Avenue, San Carlos, CA
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 7:11 p.m.
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