Wow - this is a huge, and, if it goes through, will completely reshape how CalTrain is used.
For those not familiar with Silicon Valley, we have several major mass transit systems, "Muni" - which is a light rail system that serves the City (aka "San Francisco"), BART, which is a traditional mass transit system, that spans fairly broadly around the Bay, but does _not_ go all the way down the peninsula, or to San Jose. And finally CalTrain, which is responsible for covering San Francisco all the way down to San Jose (And a few cities afterwards - I've never been further south than San Jose)
Right now - when I'm coming home, or heading to the City, I only have to wait a bit longer outside of commuting hours. During Commuting hours, I usually just walk onto the train, and, if it's a bullet, I will be home faster than any car can get me there.
The elimination of the local stations, is _not_ a good thing. People who wanted to avoid those would take the express anyways. Now - you have no ability to get to those cities with caltrain.
Also, look at the Southbound schedule (Northbound is a reflection):
11 Trains Leaving, from 5:45 AM to 6:55 AM, And in the afternoon, 11 Trains leaving from 3:45 to 4:55 PM.
This is not a "drastic service cut" - this is a complete gutting of the peninsula transit system. These changes are so severe, I'm wondering if it's a bluff, and they will walk it back after public outrage.
For those not familiar with Silicon Valley, we have several major mass transit systems, "Muni" - which is a light rail system that serves the City (aka "San Francisco"), BART, which is a traditional mass transit system, that spans fairly broadly around the Bay, but does _not_ go all the way down the peninsula, or to San Jose. And finally CalTrain, which is responsible for covering San Francisco all the way down to San Jose (And a few cities afterwards - I've never been further south than San Jose)
Right now - when I'm coming home, or heading to the City, I only have to wait a bit longer outside of commuting hours. During Commuting hours, I usually just walk onto the train, and, if it's a bullet, I will be home faster than any car can get me there.
The elimination of the local stations, is _not_ a good thing. People who wanted to avoid those would take the express anyways. Now - you have no ability to get to those cities with caltrain.
Also, look at the Southbound schedule (Northbound is a reflection):
11 Trains Leaving, from 5:45 AM to 6:55 AM, And in the afternoon, 11 Trains leaving from 3:45 to 4:55 PM.
This is not a "drastic service cut" - this is a complete gutting of the peninsula transit system. These changes are so severe, I'm wondering if it's a bluff, and they will walk it back after public outrage.