(The following article by Ethan Fletcher was posted on the San Francisco Examiner website on March 15.)
SAN CARLOS, Calif. — “It is the best of times, and it is the worst of times.”
Paraphrasing Charles Dickens’ famous line, that’s how Bob Doty, Caltrain’s acting chief operations officer, described the current state of the regional rail agency at a special budget meeting Monday morning.
Despite an increase in ridership, train reliability and worker productivity over the last year, Caltrain faces a looming $13.6 million deficit for the upcoming fiscal year. Doty outlined a number of staff recommendations on how to bridge the gap, including a radical change in train scheduling that would bring two new Baby Bullet trains, a 17 percent fare hike and the possible suspension of service at up to four stations.
However, if implemented, Caltrain would still be short $6 million, which it would likely have to secure from San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Transit agencies in the three counties currently provide more than $35 million to subsidize Caltrain’s $78 million operating budget.
“It depends on how low the other adjustments get us [to balancing the budget], but I think there was a strong message to all the partners that they need to pay their fair share,” said Caltrain board chair Mike Nevin. “We’ll all have to contribute. I think all three partners have a vested interest in a healthy rail system.”
While $6 million may still be unaccounted for, board members had nothing but praise for several of Doty’s initial recommendations, which could save millions of dollars without drastic cuts in service. The majority of the savings — nearly $6 million — would come from fare increases and reinventing the rush-hour train schedule.
Board members indicated support for a 17 percent hike in fares, the lesser of two proposals, which would increase base and zone fares by 25 cents. That would increase the average rider’s fare from $2.41 to $2.83 — still competitive compared to other rail systems across the country — and raise $3.15 million annually.
Doty’s recommendation to restructure the rush-hour schedule would mean adding two new Baby Bullet trains and increasing the total number of the number of high-speed San Jose to San Francisco rides to six for both the morning and evening commutes.
Staff also proposed eliminating local train service during rush hours and replacing them with limited express trains. By transitioning to Baby Bullets, which generate more than double the revenue of local trains, Doty estimated a savings of $2.5 million.
Caltrain will hold three proposal hearings March 23 at 6 p.m. in San Francisco, San Carlos and San Jose. It will also hold a public hearing before the board of directors April 7 at 1250 San Carlos Ave. in San Carlos. The board will vote on its recommendations April 22. For more information, visit www.caltrain.com.