On Monday, Caltrain sent a news release stating that they will
ask the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board of Directors to
continue service to Gilroy
”
at least until next July.
”
On Monday, Caltrain sent a news release stating that they will ask the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board of Directors to continue service to Gilroy “at least until next July.”
“Based on estimates of the potential cost savings and input from our customers, we would like to preserve these two important services at least until the beginning of the next fiscal year,” Caltrain Executive Director Michael Scanlon said.
The city of Morgan Hill is going full-steam ahead with its position on eliminating Caltrain service to South County: Don’t do it.
Mayor Steve Tate was authorized Wednesday night to sign a letter on behalf of the city and its riders to send to the Caltrain Board of Directors.
Tate plans to do one better. He said he will hand deliver and speak at the scheduled public hearing Thursday in San Carlos.
“It’s imperative to have a face there,” Councilwoman Marby Lee said.
Gilroy Mayor Al Pinheiro said a letter is in the works to deliver to the Caltrain board, along with representation from the city at the Thursday hearing.
“We have the same concerns (as Morgan Hill). We have invested a lot of money into our downtown,” Pinheiro said. “It’s very important that folks can hop on the train – live here in Gilroy – and take the train to the Valley.”
Caltrain is trying to close a $2.3 million budget deficit and the waning ridership in South County has put the service from the Tamien station in San Jose to Gilroy on the docket for elimination.
The city points to the importance of access to Caltrain to maintain the goals of Morgan Hill’s general plan “to provide a balanced transportation system which assures access to all.”
Plans for a new streetscape for the “Main Street thoroughfare” on Monterey Road in downtown will not be “fully realized” according to the city due to the policies of the city’s general plan and Downtown Specific Plan that require a transit component and train service. Also, the passenger rail service is consistent with the Sustainable Communities Strategy under Senate Bill 375, which integrates transportation and land-use planning to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.
The letter asks that Caltrain consider fare increases and service reductions in other areas, such as the weekend or midday service in San Jose.
Pinheiro added that eliminating the service to South County could wreck the ridership numbers.
“It will be harder to get them to hop back on the train. We certainly expect Caltrain not to eliminate the service,” Pinheiro said Monday.
The public hearing on the Caltrain budget is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday at the Caltrain office, 1250 San Carlos Ave., San Carlos.
“Let’s make that case and let’s make it loud. Let’s make it clear, so we can set the groundwork for next year (when the budget deficit is likely worse),” Councilman Greg Sellers said.
