Caltrain to Launch Weeklong Safety Campaign

WHAT:

As the June inauguration of Baby Bullet express trains and the resumption of weekend service approaches, Caltrain will hold a news conference to launch a weeklong "back to basics" rail safety campaign to emphasize the importance of being cautious around tracks and trains. Caltrain will begin running weekend "test trains" in mid-May, to give engineers practice with the new passing tracks and signal system in advance of the return of weekend service June 5.

WHEN:

Monday, May 3, 8 a.m.

WHERE:

Santa Clara Caltrain Station, Railroad and Palm avenues

WHO:

Speakers will include:
John McLemore, Caltrain board chair and Santa Clara Council member
Arthur Lloyd, president of the board of California Operation Lifesaver and Caltrain board member
Nancy Emro, a Santa Clara mother whose 17-year-old son was struck and killed by a Caltrain in 2000.
Bob Doty, Caltrain Manager of Rail Operations

HOW:

During the week of May 3-8, Caltrain staff, police and Operation Lifesaver volunteers will distribute a new safety brochure at various train stations, Peninsula downtowns and farmer's markets. Banners with a "Safety First!" message will be installed at visible locations, and passengers will receive safety announcements both on the train and at train stations.

Using a "crossing guard" theme, the campaign will remind passengers, motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians of the special urgency of this spring's safety message. Baby Bullet trains will be operating at nearly 80 miles an hour and, because of switching and signaling upgrades, trains may be traveling on either track at full speed. Weekend service, which was suspended two years ago because of construction, also will resume at higher frequencies than ever before.

Consequently, Caltrain is adapting a message that the youngest children learn -- to look both ways -- and be sure that it is both safe and legal before crossing railroad tracks.

4/29/04