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- From: "Eugene Bradley" <http://profiles.yahoo.com/eegenebradley>
- Date: Tue, 12 May 2009 14:26:58 -0000
VTA is not the only agency that is hurting. See the below from BayRail Alliance. --eugene ========== ALERT ========== Caltrain action alert On May 7, the Caltrain JPB scheduled two public hearings on possible fare and service changes as well as to declare a fiscal emergency. Caltrain is facing a projected $10.1 million deficit for the next fiscal year which starts this July. Over the years, the introduction of Baby Bullet service and other one-time measures managed to get Caltrain through several years of structural deficits, but it appears they've run out of one-time measures. However, raising fares and/or cutting service would be a dire hit to the positive momentum of the last several years. BayRail Alliance believes that major changes are needed to address the structural deficits. Without major changes, Caltrain's plan to cut service and raise fares could be the beginning of a downward spiral. BayRail Alliance 5-point plan: - No elimination of weekend service - No bicycle surcharge - Establish airport parking - Support dedicated funding - Replace Caltrain JPB with an elected district Please support our effort by joining our Facebook group (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=42679145898&ref=mf) as we plan our actions in the next few months. Currently, there's a bill in the state legislature (AB744) that would authorize the conversion of carpool lanes on freeways into toll lanes for solo drivers. We believe the surplus from these lanes should be used for Caltrain and other transit operation. Part of the bridge toll already provides stable operating funds for transbay buses and ferries. This bill is scheduled for a hearing on May 13. If you are a constituent of the following Assembly members, please contact them and tell them that surplus from toll lanes should first provide funding for transit operation. (Find that information at www.smartvoter.org or by calling the County Registrar's office at (408)299-8686) ========== END ALERT ==========
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