Progress Report 2006
Investing in our Future

TRANSIT - The Transportation Authority has played a critical role in the revitalization of rail transportation in San Mateo County.

CALTRAIN
The TA helped guarantee the future of Caltrain in 1991 when it contributed $39.1 million to purchase the railroad right of way from Southern Pacific Railroad. This valuable investment set the stage for today's record-breaking ridership.

Since that initial expenditure, Measure A funds have been used to bring the railroad in step with the region, funding major improvements to the 143 year-old system.

The agency was a key investor in the Ponderosa Project, contributing $7 million to this ambitious upgrade project. Many individual improvements, including miles of new track, crossovers, sidings and bridges, as well as upgrades at eight stations were combined into a single $58 million project. The Ponderosa was completed in May 2001 and set the stage for the CTX project, which was instrumental in transforming the railroad.

And what's the return on this investment? Passengers enjoy a smoother-riding, faster, n on this investment? Passengers enjoy a smoother-riding, faster, safer railroad with more user-friendly, attractive stations. Motorists, too, drive over smooth new surfaces at railroad crossings equipped with state-of-the-art signals and warning systems. Pedestrians also benefit from the improved crossings, which include new sidewalks and pedestrian gates.

In addition to miles of new track, major upgrades were completed at the Hayward Park, Redwood City and Menlo Park stations during this period and a new transit center was constructed in downtown San Mateo.

A new Bayshore Caltrain Station was included in a second major construction program, the CTX project. The station, which opened in 2004, features a new pedestrian overpass with stairs and an elevator, allowing passengers to cross more safely from one platform to the other, and making it meet the Americans with Disabilities Act standards. The TA and the state split the $6.7 million bill for this project.

Thanks to these necessary infrastructure improvements, Caltrain was able to launch its highly successful "Baby Bullet" service in 2004, the express train service that has attracted a record number of riders.

Hillsdale Caltrain Station — Construction to upgrade the Hillsdale Caltrain Station was completed this year. The TA's contribution of $2.1 million was combined with $4.3 million in federal funds for a total project cost of $6.4 million. As part of the project, the platforms were moved 300 feet north and expanded to accommodate customers bound for Bay Meadows. The upgraded station offers improved safety with outside boarding platforms, improved passenger access and a new parking lot on the east side.

DUMBARTON RAIL
The TA made another investment in the future when it purchased the 11-mile Dumbarton rail corridor in 1994.

The rail corridor will link Caltrain, the Altamont Commuter Express, Amtrak's Capitol Corridor and BART, as well as East Bay bus systems, at a multimodal transit center in Union City.

The reconstructed rail corridor will include track improvements, a new rail bridge and five stations. Six round-trip trains will travel from Union City during peak commute hours: three will travel to San Francisco and three to San Jose.

It is estimated that 5,600 people will ride the new service every day when it starts in 2012, opening new travel possibilities for riders on both sides of the bay.

SHUTTLES
Shuttles carry commuters from Caltrain to within easy walking distance of their work site. They are a significant benefit to employees, reducing the cost of getting to work and making the trip more relaxing and enjoyable. Employers also benefit — participation in a shuttle program improves recruitment and retention rates and reduces the need for parking.

The TA began funding Caltrain shuttles in 2002. In 2005, the TA helped fund 11 Caltrain shuttles.

At a time when ridership on other modes of public transit has declined or remained static, ridership on all Caltrain shuttles has shown outstanding growth. From 2005 to 2006, average weekday ridership increased 7.2 percent.

The shuttles are operated by private contractors and are funded by a combination of TA funds, employer contributions and regional and local funds. The service is free to employees.

GRADE SEPARATIONS
The best grade crossing is one where the street does not cross the train tracks but goes over or under them. Since 1991, the Transportation Authority has contributed $125 million to help fund nine grade separation projects on the Caltrain line.

Between 2006 and 2010, Caltrain's highest priority is to bring the railroad to a "state of good repair." This work will include rehabilitating bridges and tracks and making improvements to the boarding platforms in the stations. After this is accomplished, Caltrain will resume work on the grade separation projects listed in the Long Range Plan. Of those, the South San Francisco/San Bruno project will take precedence.

Table of Contents:
1. MAIN > 2. Transit > 3. Streets/Highways > 4. Paratransit > 5. TSM > 6. Local Entities > 7. Financial > 8. BOD/CAC members

Table of Contents
1. Main
2. Transit
3. Streets/Highways
4. Paratransit
5. TSM
6. Local Entities
7. Financial
8. BOD/CAC members