Terry Nagel | Resolving to Improve Train Service

Resolving to Improve Train Service

I am one of 11 present and former City Council members in San Mateo County who are asking City Councils through the county to approve a resolution that asks Caltrain to revisit the current train schedule to make sure it meets the needs of passengers who want convenience as well as fast service. Our group is called the Coalition to Expand Transit Service (CETS).

Click here for more information about Caltrain.

Here is the resolution. Since some preamble clauses do not apply to all cities, CETS suggests that cities rewrite them as desired. It is the "Resolved" clauses that count.

RESOLUTION ____

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
OF _______________
SUPPORTING EXPANSION OF AND
SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS TO TRANSIT SERVICE

WHEREAS, Caltrain service in San Mateo County has been reduced by more than 20 percent since 2000, in contrast to the approximate 13 percent reduction in Santa Clara County and the 2% increase in San Francisco County; and

WHEREAS, the City of ____________ contributes approximately $___________ annually to Caltrain from Measure A funds which would otherwise be allocable to the City of ______________ for street repairs, shuttles, and many other transportation needs; and

WHEREAS, transit service receives 50 percent of the funds collected under Measure A, which represents a contribution from the cities in San Mateo County and the County of approximately $25 million annually from funds which would otherwise be available to localities; and

WHEREAS, the City of ______________ has lost ____ weekday Caltrain stops since 2000; and

WHEREAS, the reduction in Caltrain service at many stations has made it more difficult for many riders to use Caltrain; and

WHEREAS, the substantial reduction of Caltrain service has had a significant negative economic impact upon properties near Caltrain stations; and

WHEREAS, increased Caltrain service is necessary to support and encourage transit-oriented development; and

WHEREAS, the growing senior population of San Mateo County will necessitate further dependence upon mass transit; and

WHEREAS, additional connections to Caltrain by shuttles and SamTrans buses are needed to encourage transit ridership; and

WHEREAS, safety along the rail corridor is a growing concern; and

WHEREAS, the City of _______________ desires to encourage greater availability and use of mass transit to address the climate change crisis and to facilitate the needs of its citizens.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the ____________ hereby resolves:

1. That the City of ________________ urges Caltrain to retain an outside scheduling consultant to develop and evaluate alternative train schedules that would provide a better balance between local service and express train service within the County, in order to meet the needs of more passengers.

2. That, in order to better serve local needs, the cities be provided the opportunity to review and comment on the alternative schedules so developed.

3. That Caltrain complete with all due diligence the safety improvements planned within the County.

4. That Caltrain, SamTrans, and the cities work together to develop and evaluate additional and improved means of connectivity between transit services.

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Resolving to Improve Train Service