Take action to oppose Caltrain service cuts
Caltrain is facing serious financial problems. They need to hear from the community that keeping service is important, and cutting service that makes train use less convenient and practical can lead to a death spiral.
This coming Thursday, July 1, at the next Peninsula Joint Powers Board meeting, the JPB staff is recommending the board to schedule a public hearing on possible fare hikes and service cuts at its September meeting.
Because of reduction of operating subsidy from SamTrans, which also triggered reductions from Muni and VTA, Caltrain is facing an operating deficit of $2.3 million in fiscal year 2010-2011. Over the summer, Caltrain will present service cut and fare hike alternatives to the public for consideration. But reducing service and raising fares can drive riders away. Despite the poor economy, Caltrain ridership is stabilizing, with ridership down only 1.2% from a year ago.
Please attend this Thursday’s meeting if you can and speak up against service cuts. The relevant items on the agenda are #9, call for a public hearing about service cuts and fare increases, and #10, the proposed operating budget for 2011. Members of the public can address the board on all agenda items.
Also, 10am meeting times are hard for many people with jobs. If you can make it, please also ask for public meetings to be scheduled in the evening when Caltrain supporters can attend.
If you are unable to attend the meeting, but want your voice to be heard about service cuts, and about holding meetings at times more riders can make, please send an email message to the JPB board at martinezm@samtrans.com. Please make sure to mention you want the email sent to the JPB board.
If you are able to make the meeting, please leave a comment and let us know what you learned.
Thursday, July 1, 2010 – 10:00 a.m.
Bacciocco Auditorium, 2nd Floor
1250 San Carlos Avenue, San Carlos CA 94070 (a block west from the San Carlos Caltrain station)
Based on a survey of Drive Less Challenge participants, most are interested in getting occasional information about protecting and improving alternatives to driving on the Peninsula. So we’re posting these messages to the Drive Less Challenge blog and list.
