Caltrain to Hold Community Meetings, Public Hearings

Caltrain will hold three community meetings and a public hearing to receive comments on proposed fare increase and service change scenarios.

The Caltrain board also will take comments at an April hearing on whether to declare a fiscal emergency for the coming budget year.

Caltrain is facing a multi-million dollar budget deficit as a result of the rising cost of fuel and using one-time only funding to balance the budget. Caltrain subsidizes its service through contributions from its three partner agencies, San Francisco Muni, San Mateo County Transit District and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority.

Due to severe budget constraints, the member agencies have not significantly increased their contributions, while the cost of operating has continued to rise. In previous fiscal years, Caltrain has bridged the gap through one-time only and reserve funds. Caltrain’s reserves are nearly depleted.

As a result, Caltrain is forced to look at alternative fare and service scenarios to help cover the budgetary shortfall. The proposals include:

• Increasing fares up to 35 percent
• Reducing or eliminating service to low-use stations
• Reducing train frequency, including midday and Baby Bullet service
• Reducing or eliminating weekend service
• Reducing or eliminating ticket offices

San Francisco City Hall
Hearing Room 408
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place

Caltrain Administrative Office
1250 San Carlos Ave.
San Carlos

Santa Clara City Hall
Council Chambers
1500 Warburton Ave.

Both public hearings will be held April 7 at 10 a.m. at 1250 San Carlos Ave. in San Carlos.

A draft of the proposals will be available by calling Caltrain at the phone numbers below.

The board also will consider making the pilot Caltrain GO Pass program part of its codified tariff.

Comments will be accepted through April 7. To comment, attend one of the community meetings or the public hearings, send e-mail to changes@caltrain.com, send regular mail to Board Secretary, Caltrain, 1250 San Carlos Ave., San Carlos, CA 94070, or call 1.800.660.4287 (hearing impaired only TDD 650.508.6448).

For Spanish translation, call Caltrain at 650.622.8000 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.

3/10/05