The Green Caltrain blog is sponsored by BayRail Alliance, an all-volunteer non-profit organization supporting green rail transit in the Bay Area. This blog and BayRail have no affiliation with Caltrain.Upcoming choices to fund Caltrain
During the last legislative special session, a measure to authorize a Caltrain 3-county funding district took a back seat to SB 791, Darrel Steinberg’s gas congestion relief fee measure. But SB791 did not move forward this past session and was converted to a 2-year bill. This leaves Caltrain with less attractive choices.
What is the best remaining choice to fund Caltrain?
Passing a measure to enable a 3-county district would take a 2/3 vote of the legislature in 2012 or even a budget rider – difficult and exceptional.
The county with the deepest funding shortfall right now is SamTrans, so a ballot measure focused on San Mateo County could help with that gap. On Monday September 26, the SamTrans board will discuss strategies to address its structural deficit.
But a SamTrans only solution could leave Caltrain funding unstable – unless the Joint Powers Agreement is reconfigured. For example, a Capital budget shortfall in the 2012 budget year was triggered by reductions from San Francisco. This cutback has resulting in reductions to car maintenance, increased breakdowns, and greater delays. Increased funding from San Mateo alone won’t solve Caltrain’s problem.
This winter, MTC is planning to poll regarding voter support of a regional gas tax. But polling for gas taxes has been weak in the past. There is occasional talk about privatization – but that would pose challenges to environmental and equity goals.
During the last funding crisis, it was clear that the region’s businesses, cities, and residents depend on Caltrain and don’t want to slash service.
Decision-makers need to think hard about what choices to support. Or face another funding crisis and deep cuts to one of the most effective transit services in the region.
Here is a table with choices to consider:
| Measure | Strengths | Challenges |
| ————————- | ——————————————– | —————————————————— |
| Regional Gas Fee | Addresses overall regional transportation needs including Caltrain; broad support from MTC and transit coalition. | 2 year bill would need to pass legislature in 2012, earliest feasible time on ballot would be 2014, polling weakness of charges at gas pump. |
| 3-county ⅛ cent sales tax in 2012 | Creates stable funding structure for Caltrain, expected support and funding for campaign from SVLG, transit, environmental, grassroots groups, takes advantage of 2012 turnout | Needs ⅔ legislative majority in 2012 |
| San Mateo only measure for SamTrans | Does not require separate legislative approval. Expected support for campaign from coalition groups. Can take advantage of new 2011 bill authorizing sales taxes under 1/4c | Would also require re-working of Joint Powers Agreement to provide stable funding for Caltrain. |
| Privatize Caltrain | No voter approval needed, operating subsidy from public transit agencies included in contract with vendor | Private business will optimize for profit and may not address environmental and equity goals (higher fares, fewer stops, less service); difficulty in gaining support from environmental and transit groups |
