Caltrain is in Serious Trouble

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(Image credit: Wikimedia Commons)

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A few days ago, I began to see news that Caltrain will face a huge operating deficit starting this summer. However, the magnitude of that deficit didn’t sink in until an article pointed out that the $30 million operating deficit will be nearly one-third of its operating budget.

According to the article, cuts on the table include:

  • Weekday trains would be reduced from 86 to 48, with service limited to commute hours.

  • No weekend service, eliminating up to 68 trains.

  • Service eliminated from Gilroy to the Diridon Station in San Jose.

  • Up to seven of 23 stations along the Peninsula closed.

    The article also made the following point:

  • Caltrain is unique in the Bay Area, as it is the only transit line that lacks a dedicated source of funding. Instead, agencies from the three counties in which it runs contribute funds to help cover operating costs.

    But the Valley Transportation Authority, SamTrans and the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency all face their own budget battles and will reduce their aid by $25 million next fiscal year.

    You can read the entire article here.

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    AC Transit Cuts Take Effect Today

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    Significant adjustments to nearly 70 transit lines took effect today. According to the AC Transit website:

    Significant changes include:

    • Reducing frequency on 28 lines
    • Starting service later in the morning and/or ending earlier in the evening  on 18 lines
    • Eliminating or operating shorter routes on weekends on four lines
    • Reconfiguring service in some areas, including West Oakland/Emeryville, Lakeshore Ave./Grand Ave. in Oakland, Bay Farm Island in Alameda, and San Leandro
    • Discontinuing service to Orinda BART and along Broadway Terrace in Oakland
    • Adding extensions to two lines to replace limited service in Piedmont, and service between Alameda and the Oakland Airport

    All changes are listed in detail on the AC Transit website here.

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