BayRail Alliance Formerly Peninsula Rail 2000

http://www.bayrailalliance.org No. 2003-2 May 2003 In This Issue: to change fare structure, Caltrain unveils the Baby procedure ..... page 2 From the editor’s desk ..... page 2 Bullet locomotive Capitol Corridor continues to impress ..... page 4 Safe Routes to Transit ..... page 6

The red and gray VTA plans 21% Caltrain Baby Bullet locomotive #923 parks at the transit cut Burlingame station for the dedication In November 2002, VTA (Santa Clara ceremony County's bus and system) revealed (Photo: Margaret to the public its grave financial situation. Okuzumi) VTA then formed an ad-hoc advisory committee to examine its options to avoid By Bruce Shelton to keep the concept alive in the minds of the bankruptcy. The committee consisted of On Friday, April 4th, the public and provide photo ops for continuing several VTA board members, and community was introduced to the new kid promotion. As BayRail Alliance members representatives from business, labor, and on the block. At an early afternoon ceremony know, our local Baby Bullets are not to be other groups. It hired three consultants who at the Burlingame train station, Caltrain's new confused with the Shinkansen of the drafted recommendations. The committee "Baby Bullet" was formally dedicated and, Japanese National Railways. Indeed, speeds met weekly to review the recommendations. as befits any christening, was launched with will not be significantly faster than the One of the consultants recommended a bottle of champagne. present commute fleet, currently averaging measures for increasing the farebox recovery Although the Baby Bullet service will 45-70 mph with a top speed of 75 mph in the rate from the current 10% to about 20% by not commence operations until early 2004, Sunnyvale area. However, these express increasing fares. In April the VTA board the ceremony gave the JPB the opportunity [See Baby Bullet, page 3] proposed a new fare increase. Monthly passes for seniors and the disabled would increase by over 80% under this latest proposal. Perata proposes bridge toll Even with a series of fare increases, VTA would face a huge deficit. VTA reduced increase for transit its deficit in 2002 by obtaining one-time State Senator Don Perata (D-Alameda/ August. In a letter to the advisory committee revenues, including sales of land. Despite Oakland) recently introduced SB 916, a bill convened by Senator Perata, BayRail its recent announcement of a 21% transit to increase bridge tolls to $3. The extra dollar supported using all of the new toll revenue service cut in October, VTA is facing a long- to be charged on seven Caltrans-operated on transit and related projects, with the term deficit of $60 million per year. Financial toll bridges (excluding the Golden Gate) Caltrain DTX/Transbay Terminal, consultants to VTA warned of a possible would provide much needed funding, $125 Dumbarton rail, and new express bus service 25% service cut next year, even while VTA million per year, for the Caltrain extension to as high priorities. BayRail also endorsed the still plans to open new light rail extensions downtown (DTX), Dumbarton recommendation that funding allocations be to East San Jose and Campbell. rail, and a wide range of other transit based on 1) the potential for projects to The ad-hoc committee reviewed improvements. The list of projects specified attract the most new transit riders in each options to raise revenue through new fees by SB 916 strongly favors cost effective bridge corridor, and 2) present levels of or taxes, including sales and payroll taxes. transit -- a victory for transit advocates. traffic and tolls collected at each Bay One of the consultants estimated a 1% This milestone for transit advocacy crossing. payroll tax would generate about $600 million largely lives up to principles articulated by Perata's advisory committee on the toll [See VTA, page 5] the BayRail Alliance board of directors last [See Perata, page 3] Page 2 May 2003 Caltrain To Change Fare Structure, Procedures At the Caltrain Joint Powers Board some passengers, the fares will go down by BART, which uses a station-to-station meeting on April 3, the board unanimously as much as 30%, while the fares for some scheme but calculates its fares based on a approved a new fare policy for Caltrain, others will go up by about 30%. For riders complex formula with many discounts and effective in September. The new policy will between Gilroy and Tamien, fares will go up. surcharges. implement the Proof-of-Payment (POP) These changes are intended to maintain the "We met with the Caltrain staff, who system as well as adjust fares for all same average fare under the new zone cited difficulties in administering the station- passengers. POP, which uses random structure. to-station fares. We responded with concrete inspections and fines assessed to fare BayRail Alliance devoted its March proposals from our members on how to evaders, already is standard procedure on membership meeting to this issue. Many in reprogram ticket vending machines (TVMs) light rail systems. Because it requires much attendance expressed concerns over the to make station-to-station tickets easy to less labor, BayRail Alliance has supported changes in the zone structure. Most buy, as well as how to implement the this change for many years. attendees favored a distance-based, station- distance-based fare scheme immediately for Caltrain staff, citing fare inequities, to-station fare structure. This scheme bases station agents," said Tseng. crafted the new policy. In addition to the underlying fare calculation on exact As a part of the action to adopt the implementing POP, the policy reduces the distance between any two stations. Under new fare policy in April, the Caltrain JPB also number of fare zones from nine to six. "The Caltrain's new fare zones, as well as under approved the goal of implementing a station- reduction of zones seems to us as a step the existing arrangement, passengers riding to-station fare scheme in the future. BayRail backwards in making the fare scheme more short distances across zone boundaries are plans to work cooperatively with Caltrain staff equitable for passengers," said John Tseng, charged significantly more than passengers to resolve the issues in the implementation of president of BayRail. riding long distances within a zone. The the latter. This will require continued Besides having fewer zones, the new new zone arrangement exaggerates this monitoring and perseverance to ensure that scheme will increase the base fare and the penalty. The fare structure preferred by the Caltrain follows through on adopting a more increment for crossing a zone boundary. For meeting attendees is somewhat similar to equitable and user-friendly system.

San Mateo County transportation sales FromBy Andy Chow the Editor’s Desk tax SFO AirTrain The second shortcoming is the lack of San Mateo County plans to place on The AirTrain at SFO Airport is the connection with Caltrain. Just west of the next year's ballot a renewal of its 20-year half- newest rail system in the Bay Area. Its terminals, the AirTrain line passes as close cent sales tax for transportation projects. automated trains serve the airport terminals, as 1/4 mile to the Caltrain line across the Recently a new committee was formed to plan rental car center, and the BART station which freeway. Passengers transferring between and advocate for the renewal measure. The will open on June 22. AirTrain and Caltrain must take a one-station committee consisted of members of various AirTrain, which charges no fare, was ride on BART to make the connection at segments of the community, as well as Jerry intended to replace the shuttle buses Millbrae, which requires the purchase of a Hill and Mike Nevin of the San Mateo County between the terminals and the satellite $1.50 BART ticket. No special fare Board of Supervisors. The committee hired locations, and to encourage airport workers arrangement is currently planned for making a consultant and plans to conduct a poll of and travelers to take public transit to SFO. this connection. (BayRail Alliance, under its San Mateo County voters on what However, the system has certain former name Peninsula Rail 2000, campaigned transportation projects they would vote for. deficiencies. unsuccessfully with other groups during the The upcoming measure also once First, the AirTrain stations at domestic 1990s for a direct connection between again raises the Caltrain vs. BART question. terminals are located across the roadway from AirTrain and Caltrain.) Although BART could win the popularity the front of the terminals. To access stations While the idea that passengers can get contest, it fails miserably in the fiscal reality from the terminal buildings, passengers may to SFO via rail has obvious appeal, it will contest. Due to the BART extension from have to change levels three times: first from require multiple level changes and additional Fremont to San Jose, we are already seeing a the main terminal to the pedestrian walkway waiting for connections and to buy tickets. huge financial crisis in Santa Clara County (overhead or underground), then after The current SFO-Caltrain shuttle bus is free, at VTA. Given the smaller tax base in San crossing the roadway to the parking garage, serves all terminals, and does not require as Mateo County, BART could be extended at another level change from the walkway to the many level changes to reach one's best a few miles even if half or all of the new concourse of the AirTrain station, and finally destination. tax measure were devoted to it. Caltrain, on from the concourse to the platform. For A successful rail system requires good the other hand, has less costly upgrade travelers carrying luggage, this could mean design. Time will tell how much of a projects now underway to run faster than three elevator rides, adding significant time difference AirTrain makes in peoples' travel BART. Caltrain also has new funding penalty. choices between SFO and local destinations. [See Editor, page 7] Page 3 May 2003 Caltrain formally dedicates its newest locomotive [Baby Bullet, from page 1] 3C locomotives (#923 and, unlike Caltrain's other 22 trains are expected to shorten the travel time locomotives, with no apparent plans to name it) was between San Jose and San Francisco to accepted on the property in March and is now in Caltrain Baby Bullet under an hour, competitive with car travel. revenue service. The remaining five locomotives will locomotive and cars The expedited service of Caltrain's be arriving individually over the next six months. The (Photo: Margaret Okuzumi) "bullets" will be the result of three long new engines are 70 feet long and are passing sidings (located at Bayshore, just rated at 3600 HP. (Caltrain's current south of Redwood City and at Lawrence) fleet of F40PH-2 locomotives are 56 and the implementation of Centralized Traffic feet and 3000 HP.) The added power, Control. CTC, as it is known, is a state of the electrical generating capacity and art, system wide, computerized program that electronics will make this a welcome permits all switches and signals to be addition to Caltrain's inventory. centrally controlled remotely from the , Chicago's commuter rail Amtrak/Caltrain dispatcher's office, known system, is the only other railroad as San Jose Control. Presently, CTC exists presently utilizing this new engine. only between the San Francisco terminal and Present at the April 4th the Bayshore station, and between Santa dedication were State Senator Jackie Clara and Tamien (and southward to Gilroy Speier (who authored the enabling and beyond). The passing sidings, CTC and legislation for the Baby Bullets), JPB upgraded signal systems will permit speeds Chairman John McLemore, JPB of up to 79 mph and, most importantly, the Executive Director Mike Scanlon, ability to route express trains around the Amtrak General Manager George slower locals. Erickson, County Supervisor Mike The Baby Bullet equipment consists Nevin, County Manager John of 17 Bombardier cars and six new MP36PH- Maltbie, Burlingame Mayor Mike 3C locomotives. The Bombardier cars, which Coffey, numerous other elected were purchased from Seattle's commuter officials, members of the JPB and railroad (the Sounder), are on the property MTC staff. Following speeches, all in Caltrain's red and gray livery and are in attendance were invited to ride the train. The State Senator Jackie Speier currently in revenue service as three separate significance of this occasion was the message it sends: speaks to the press 5 car train sets. The first of the new MP36PH- Caltrain has its eyes on the future. All aboard! (Photo: Margaret Okuzumi)

Livermore I-580 corridor, and the proposed Bridge toll plan to fund transit eBART diesel light rail connector in East Contra Costa County. Also absent: the [Perata, from page 1] increase transit use"): $20 million Caldecott Tunnel "fourth bore" widening. increase proposal included the • Transit operating costs: $48 million Transit advocates applaud the Transportation and Land Use Coalition annually, or 38% of the new toll revenue dedication of 38% of funds to transit (TALC), of which BayRail is a member • Sonoma Marin Commuter Rail Transit operations costs, a need often neglected from organization. TALC took the lead in (SMART) extension from San Rafael to transportation funding plans. advocating and prioritizing transit projects. ferry connection at Larkspur: $35 million Once passed by the legislature, the A partial list of the projects to receive • "Regional Rail Master Plan": $3 million package would require approval in March funding: • Study of High Speed Rail Altamont Pass 2004 by voters in seven Bay Area counties • Caltrain DTX/Transbay Terminal: $150 alternative and a new rail bridge parallel to (including Santa Clara, but not including million the Dumbarton rail bridge: $2 million Napa and Sonoma). Polling results predict • Dumbarton rail infrastructure: $135 million • Widening and new ramps for the 80/680/ that voters will pass the tax, and it enjoys (47% to 75% of the total project cost) 12 interchanges in Solano County: $100 support of leading politicians, MTC, and • Express bus infrastructure and service million environmental and business organizations. improvements: $517 million Although the list includes $45 million However, it will be "competing" with other • Seismic strengthening of BART's for BART's Warm Springs extension (less transportation funding measures on the : $143 million than 10% of its total cost), major BART ballot during the same year. These include • Ferry Service Enhancements: $107 million extensions are noticeably absent. $96 million the statewide High Speed Rail bond and • Safe Routes to Transit (See related article and $65 million, respectively, would go to transportation sales tax measures in some "Safe Routes: sensible solutions to express bus or possibly rail in the Dublin- counties. Page 4 May 2003 Capitol Corridor continues to impress By Margaret Okuzumi predecessor Bill Fleischer) for the CCJPA. severe on-time performance problems, Under the capable leadership of The CCJPA's contract with BART was Skoropowski has managed to retain and Eugene Skoropowski, the Capitol Corridor renewed in October 2001 for three years. Like grow a loyal following for his trains. continues to accomplish amazing things Caltrain, the trains are operated and The Capitol Corridor offers riders free despite the recession. It achieved an all-time maintained by Amtrak. The trains run on transfers to local transit in Sacramento, ridership high of 285,420 passengers during Union Pacific tracks, except for a portion in Martinez, Davis as well as AC Transit buses. the first three months in 2003. Here's a report Santa Clara and San Jose where they run on Also available on board are discounted on other recent accomplishments and Caltrain tracks. The state covers operating BART tickets and free copies of the improvements in the works. costs, while local communities fund and Sacramento Bee. On a monthly basis, Same Budget. More Trains! control the stations. massages for $1/minute are available. The Capitol Corridor has 24 weekday Outstanding Customer Focus and To market the train service, the CCJPA trains and 18 weekend trains that run between Commitment has used newspaper ads and billboards Sacramento and What's refreshing along parallel freeways. They have offered Oakland. Of those, 8 about the Capitol Corridor promotions to attract leisure-oriented trains continue south to leadership is their travelers to fill available seating capacity, San Jose on weekdays thorough and intimate including a "Kids ride free on weekends" and two trains extend understanding of riders' program, and other discounts for group and east from Sacramento to needs. This requires solo travelers. Despite the discounts, farebox Auburn. In addition, managers who not only are recovery for the Capitols has continued to dedicated buses link San dedicated to the riders, but increase from about 29% in 1999 to about Jose and Auburn with who also frequently ride 40% now. The CCJPA has been asked by the other Capitol Corridor and continually evaluate state to achieve a 50% farebox recovery by trains in Oakland and their own service from an 2005. Sacramento. informed rider's Improvements on the Way The addition of perspective. The CCJPA To meet its fare recovery targets, the two new trains on April 28 between Oakland even has held public meetings on board the Capitol Corridor plans to improve its and Sacramento is a striking example of the trains themselves, making it easy for riders reliability and performance. Improvement Capitol Corridor's determination to provide to participate and to give feedback! (Note, projects now underway include: more service despite the state's severe however, that the average trip length on the * Electronic signs displaying real-time train financial crisis. The management team at the Capitols is nearly 70 miles, compared to about status. The CCJPA recently installed Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority 20 on Caltrain). electronic sign boards and loudspeakers at (CCJPA) found ways to add service without Skoropowski is very conscientious stations, as well as a GPS/transponder any additional state subsidy by working about communicating with passengers, tracking system. The latter will enable riders cooperatively with Amtrak on improving especially concerning service disruptions or to check real-time train status on the phone efficiency and cutting costs in other areas. delays (and there have been many, often due or via the web. This project is one month In fact, the current 24-train service plan was to issues with Union Pacific which owns the behind schedule and testing is underway. implemented on what was originally a 16- tracks). Skoropowski, when apologizing for The system is expected to work by mid-year. train budget. Reporting to the Secretary of problems in his communications, outlines • The Yolo Causeway 2nd track is due to be Business, Transportation and Housing, their causes with refreshing honesty. completed at the end of 2003. This should CCJPA staff run the trains like a business, Sometimes he has offered discounts by way significantly improve service reliability and in a thoughtful manner. For example, of apology. And most importantly, between Sacramento and Davis. check out their "business plan update" at Skoropowski communicates the steps • Newark-Albrae track improvements/double www.amtrakcapitols.com/ccjpa/ management is taking to avoid recurrences tracking. Unfortunately this double tracking The highest ridership on the Capitols of the problem. project has been shortened somewhat due is between Richmond and Emeryville. The Through the Capitol Corridor website to difficulty and delay in obtaining top origin/destination pairs are 1) and in his emails, Skoropowski invites environmental permits. The CCJPA decided Sacramento/Emeryville, 2) Davis/Emeryville, feedback from riders, and he often responds to move ahead with a scaled back project. If 3) Martinez/Sacramento, and 4) Richmond/ in an impressively thoughtful and analytical the weather is cooperative, the work should Sacramento. In 2001 improvements were manner that reflects an intimate be completed within the next 18 months. This completed at the Richmond station, currently understanding of every aspect of the service project will shorten another troublesome the only direct connection with BART. and how it operates. For example, see bottleneck and allow as many as 11 trains The CCJPA has representatives from www.amtrakcapitols.com/riding/ each way to/from San Jose. six county transportation agencies along its message_to_riders.shtml. The Capitols also • Newhall/CP Coast to Santa Clara track route. Since 1998 BART has provided have sponsored a number of "Rider improvements. This double-track project staffing (including Skoropowski and his Appreciation Events". Despite episodes of [See Capitol Corridor, page 5] Page 5 May 2003 Capitol Corridor: customer service first Hollister rail link [Capitol Corridor, from page 4] postponed being pursued along with Caltrain and should options for integrating planned commuter be completed in the fall of 2004. It will allow service with the existing intercity service. The Council of San Benito County the Capitols to stop at the downtown Santa Unfortunately, due to state's budget Governments (COG) voted to postpone a Clara Caltrain station. constraints, platform and track improvement feasibility study for bringing commuter rail • San Jose 4th track project now is in the projects at Sacramento and Emeryville service from Gilroy (Caltrain) to Hollister. planning phase. Eventually it will allow 16 stations have been shelved. The rehabilitation Several COG directors cited unresolved daily round trips to run directly to San Jose. of the Sacramento station continues to questions over whether a local property • Service to Reno: A Talgo-type tilting train experience severe delays. owner has rights to use the track. The de- is being contemplated for service to Reno Despite some unavoidable problems, cision means that COG will delay applying that is currently under study. Tilt trains the Capitol Corridor is a true success story— to the Federal Transit Administration for would be able to travel faster than a model for other agencies and the rest of the nearly $1 million needed for the project. conventional trains around the many curves Amtrak system to emulate. The CCJPA's The project needs an additional $240,000 over the mountains. motto is “Innovation and Efficiency = in local matching funds. If approved, these • Shorter-distance Commuter service. Locally Continued Success.” Thanks to the would cover costs of preliminary engineer- funded studies for Auburn-Roseville- dedication of staff, the future is bright for ing and environmental studies of options, Sacramento-Davis-Solano County, and “high quality, safe, fast, frequent and reliable such as the number and size of station stops Solano-Contra Costa County commuter rail intercity rail transportation” in the and bridge crossings, needed to run the via the Capitol Corridor, are evaluating Sacramento-San Jose corridor. trains. No agreement on financial solution for VTA [VTA, from page 1] or take other steps to advance 2000 Measure However, VTA legal counsel annually, just enough to cover VTA's deficit. A monies. These begin being collected in determined that the monies can be advanced Tom Springer, the mayor of Gilroy and 2006. TALC proposes this to cover operation for paratransit, because the level of member of the ad-hoc committee, supported expenses for paratransit, new light rail paratransit service now provided is higher this option, arguing that it would provide a extensions and existing bus service. This than that of November 2000. more stable revenue. However, the Silicon would sustain VTA services on a temporary Transit advocates are now pressuring Valley Manufacturing Group (SVMG) basis until the economy recovers or a new VTA to obtain a court decision on whether strongly opposed the payroll tax. They funding source is found. 2000 Measure A monies can be used to argued that such a tax would cause Measure A, approved by voters in preserve bus service. Some VTA board businesses to relocate away from the valley. November 2000, stated it would provide funds members, such as Francis LaPoll of Los Supporters of the tax noted that San for a BART extension from Fremont to San Altos, support the effort to obtain a court Francisco levies a 1.5% payroll tax to fund Jose, Caltrain electrification, additional light ruling on the legality of the TALC approach. public transportation. rail extensions, and bus operation up to a fleet Time is running out for VTA. “From The consultants also reviewed raising of 750 buses. first-hand observation, I can tell you that no sales taxes. Although an additional sales tax Transportation Defense and Education permanent solutions are close at hand other could provide sufficient funding for VTA, Fund (TRANSDEF) has produced a legal than bankruptcy or massive VTA service cuts sales tax opponents raised concerns that opinion supporting TALC’s proposal. and fare increases,” said Margaret Okuzumi, VTA could not attain financial stability with TRANSDEF’s attorney states that VTA has a executive director of BayRail Alliance. more sales taxes. In the last few years, VTA's wide discretion over the expenditures of BayRail is encouraging transit riders in Santa revenue through sales taxes dropped by Measure A funds. Clara County to contact VTA board members more than 25%. VTA management produced a legal to urge them to advance 2000 Measure A VTA's financial stability committee opinion against the TALC approach. VTA's funds to save transit service. “Our best near held its final meeting on May 7. The legal counsel claims that Measure A specifies term hope is to get VTA to tap into 2000 committee members largely have been unable it can fund only bus service that represents Measure A funds, until a more permanent to agree on revenue options except for one, an increase above year 2000 levels. They and stable new revenue source is developed. increasing gas taxes. However a countywide argue that due to cuts in bus service since VTA needs a long-term solution as well,” gas tax at one cent per gallon would generate November 2000, no Measure A monies can said Okuzumi. about $9.1 million annually. be used for current bus operations or to help Take action: In order to save transit services from restore service to 2000 levels. Some members 1. Attend a rally and VTA meeting on drastic cuts, the Transportation and Land of the ad-hoc committee also have argued that June 5, see back page for details. Use Coalition (TALC) is proposing that VTA BART, not bus service, was the reason why 2. Write or call the VTA board. Visit temporarily bond against 2000 Measure A, voters approved Measure A. www.vtaridersunion.org for contact info. Page 6 May 2003 Safe Routes: sensible solutions to increase transit use

By Robert Raburn and Russell Reagan The SR2T proposal has three major capacity for over 40,000 parked cars, but only Most would agree that new and components: an estimated 2,400 bike racks. SR2T would expanded rail and ferry routes are what Bay • Routine provision of safe bike/ped access address and correct this inequity. Area needs. But how to serve all workplaces to transit stations from all quadrants (i.e. "SR2T would fund large-scale and neighborhoods, not just those adjacent no barriers to access from any side or attended bicycle parking at major transbay to major transit stations? Bus systems, which corner of the station); transit stations and stops for 30 years of serve as feeders to stations, are strapped for • Secure bicycle parking at all stations; and operation. However, funding commitments cash and cutting back. Many BART station • Removal of major barriers to walking and should routinely be revisited, with local parking lots fill up early on weekday bicycling near transit stations. jurisdictions and transit agencies exploring mornings, even where BART's rails have The latter projects consist of adding ways to supplement revenue-generating additional capacity. bike lanes, off-street paths, safe crosswalks, services in order to develop sustaining These parking facilities are very or grade separated bike/ped crossings of BikeStation models [such as the facility at expensive as well, with some multilevel roadways in selected locations. In other the Palo Alto Caltrain station]. Opportunities structures costing over $100 million. As locations, intersections would be modified exist to shift to secure, unattended facilities. Caltrain introduces the Baby Bullet service or redesigned to accommodate safe passage Already, large-scale automated bike parking and moves toward frequencies, by non-motorists. Readers of this newsletter facilities are in operation in Japan. The Bay access to stations poses a daunting probably can think of several locations where Area has recently broken ground on a bicycle challenge. such projects are needed. garage at El Cerrito Plaza BART station that Or is it so daunting? "Safe utilizes computer-controlled Routes To Transit" (SR2T), a locks and provides secure, on- proposal of the East Bay Bicycle demand bicycle access." Coalition and the Transportation The SR2T proposal goes and Land Use Coalition, suggests on to recommend large-scale eminently sensible bicycle and attended bicycle parking and pedestrian projects to bring more bag-check at major events that riders to transit stations. typically create bridge Aimed at securing a share congestion. of the $1 bridge toll increase (see The proposal related article, "Perata proposes recommended a "pared-down" bridge toll increase for transit", SR2T project list that totaled over page 1), SR2T is a new idea in the $129 million. On April 17, Senator US that borrows from successful Perata held a press conference on programs in Japan, Germany and A bike path running directly into the train station in SB 916, where funding levels for the Netherlands. Each of these Groningen, The Netherlands. Safe bicycle access to transit specific projects were made countries routinely links walking has been highly successful in the Netherlands, Germany, and public. SR2T was allocated $20 and bicycling with transit Japan and serves as a model for the Bay Area. million in the lengthy list of capital operations. As a result, the expenditures from the proposed bicycle feeder mode has blossomed and The SR2T proposal also addresses $1 toll increase. continues to rise. Bicyclists in busy Tokyo deficiencies of bike accommodations on Full details of the expenditure plan account for over 36% all trips. Such shifts BART trains and transbay buses. have yet to be determined, as only overall have occurred as a result in policy changes The following two paragraphs, allocations for the eligible projects have been and investments. For example, the Bicycle excerpted from the SR2T proposal (on the announced so far. Senator Perata noted that Law issued and implemented by the web at www.ebbc.org/sr2t.pdf), address the "most project applicants received only a forth Japanese government in 1980 encourages issue of secure bicycle parking: or fifth of what they requested." SR2T local governments to provide bicycle lanes "A 1997 Polston Report for BART advocates were dismayed that Solano and bicycle parking facilities near the metro found that regular BART bicycle customers County would receive $100 million (five times stations. have a 50% chance of having their bikes the amount allocated to SR2T) for the I-80/ The appeal of SR2T is that it is an stolen in a given year, 34 times higher than 680/12 interchange. incredibly cost-effective means to encourage the risk of car theft. Many Bay Area cities You can help by contacting Senator new non-car trips and thereby reduce the have bicycle theft rates that are the highest Perata to let him know how important Safe demand for driving on the bridges. To be in the country. Respondents to polls have Routes to Transit is for the future of Bay eligible for funding by the $1 toll increase, identified the lack of secure, adequate storage Area mobility. For more details, visit EBBC SB 916 projects must target bridge and parking for bicycles as a major reason or TALC on the web (at www.ebbc.org, or congestion. for not commuting by bicycle. BART has www.transcoalition.org). Page 7 May 2003

Visitors view both BART and Caltrain “Baby Bullet” at the From the Editor’s Desk during an open house on May 3 [Editor, from page 2] opportunities from the proposed bridge toll Millbrae. Due to unawareness of this increase (see “Perata” article on page 1) and connection, some people think that BART the High Speed Rail (HSR) bond. If approved should continue south from Millbrae to by voters next year, these funds would the South Bay. That's where the political complement the new tax measure. pressure is. We need to point out how a We have yet to see a credible, quick transfer makes it possible to reach workable, close to realistic plan from the pro- areas served by Caltrain. We also need to BART camp. I doubt that such a plan for bring more attention to Caltrain's upgrades. "Peninsula BART" will emerge. But at the The idea of transferring from BART to same time we should continue efforts to sell Caltrain's Baby Bullet at Millbrae for a fast Caltrain and HSR. The urgency to promote ride to San Jose (beginning in less than a Caltrain and HSR doesn't change because a year) is much more appealing to people BART extension might or might not be on than waiting 15 to 30 years for another the ballot. BART extension. BART did well in The HSR bond on the November 2004 publicizing that the connection with the ballot offers a great opportunity for rail in airlines brings “BART to the world.” We San Mateo County. A commitment from the need to do the same to publicize the Caltrain state to help fund Caltrain as a part of HSR connection that brings BART to the rest can provide the “shot in the arm” that the of the Peninsula and the South Bay. County needs to renew its sales tax and We will be watching the sales tax upgrade Caltrain. renewal process and will also be Faregates seperate between BART

What's missing from most news articles communicating our message through our and Caltrain platforms at the on BART-SFO is the Caltrain connection at website and the media. Millbrae station !

SOT2003-2 " YES! I support improving Caltrain and Regional Transit! I support BayRail Alliance’s efforts to promote a regional transit system by upgrading Caltrain and extending it to downtown San Francisco, improving connections between buses, trains, and other transit modes, and establishing a High Speed Rail system connecting the Bay Area and Southern California. I am enclosing a contribution to help fund BayRail Alliance’s programs.

___ $35 Regular ___ $50 Sponsor ___ $100 Patron New member ___ $250 President’s Club ___ $ ______Other Renewal of membership ___ $15 Student/low income

We are supported entirely by member contributions. Voting memberships start at $15 or $35, as applicable. As we engage in lobbying, dues are not tax-deductible at this time. I can help by: Calling or writing local public Name: ______officials when you tell me about important transportation issues. Address: ______Volunteering two hours a month City: ______State: ______Zip: ______(or more)

Phone (Day): ______Phone (Evening): ______Mail to the address listed on the back, or contact us toll free at: Email: ______(866) 267-8024 May 2003 CALENDAR OF EVENTS BayRail Alliance General Meeting June 9 - 6:40pm: Topic: San Francisco Proposition A July 14 - 6:40pm: Topic: Caltrain strategic plan

Caltrain Joint Powers Board Meeting June 5 - 10:00am Caltrain Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting June 18 - 6:00pm Location for BayRail Alliance General Location for Caltrain JPB and CAC Meetings: meetings: Round Table Pizza, SamTrans administrative office, 1225 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, 1250 San Carlos Avenue, San Carlos, near the Menlo Park Caltrain station one block west from San Carlos Caltrain station

Other events: June 5: 5:00 pm Save Transit Rally and VTA Board meeting Santa Clara County Building 70 W Hedding Street, Santa Clara June 14: 9:00 am Transportation 2030: Getting from here to there sponsored by Metropolitian Transportation Commission (MTC) Palance Hotel, San Francisco Visit www.mtc.ca.gov for conference details. Meeting dates, topics, and locations are Submissions: subject to change without notice. We welcome submissions via email. Please For latest information: www.bayrailalliance.org. include your name and phone number, and send © 2003 BayRail Alliance, all rights reserved. your submissions to [email protected]. Executive Editor: Andy Chow Inside: Caltrain unveils We especially encourage submissions that Copy Editor: Russell Reagan include information on what interested readers Contributor: Margaret Okuzumi, Bruce Shelton, the Baby Bullet can do and any photographs or other graphics. Robert Raburn Photos: Andy Chow, Margaret Okuzumi locomotive

BayRail Alliance Board of Directors: John Tseng (President) Stamp Andy Chow (Vice president) Here Sylvia Gregory Daniel Krause (Treasurer) 3921 East Bayshore Road Russell Reagan (Secretary) Palo Alto, CA 94303 Paul Wendt (Membership director) e-mail: [email protected] Executive Director: http://www.bayrailalliance.org Margaret Okuzumi forwarding and address correction requested BayRail Alliance, formerly Peninsula Rail 2000, is a 20-year old, all-volunteer, entirely member-supported transit group working to promote the creation of a modern rail network to serve the greater . BayRail is not affiliated with any rail or transit agency, contractor or vendor. Our goals include: converting Caltrain from diesel to electric propulsion; increasing Caltrain frequency to at least once every ten minutes at peak times and every half-hour at off-peak times; extending Caltrain to downtown San Francisco and to the East Bay via the Dumbarton Rail Bridge; expanding ACE and Amtrak Capitol Corridor; and building the proposed high speed rail line connecting the Bay Area and Southern California.