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.San Francisco proposes “Fast Start” to HSR in the Caltrain Corridor
At meetings two weeks ago at the SFCTA board, and last week at the SFMTA Board, transit agency staff in San Francisco described a proposal to revamp the High Speed Rail business plan so that there is much earlier investment at the end points (click on item 9 to see the presentation). The northern investment includes DTX (extending the Caltrain tracks to Transbay) and Caltrain electrification for blended operation with HSR. Without this Fast Start plan, investment in San Francisco and the Peninsula is slated for 2034 or later.
According to the presentation delivered to the Muni board, the Fast Start plan could be delivered at a much lower cost than the estimates from the California High Speed Rail Authority, and would generate higher ridership. Luis Zurinaga of SFCTA said that staff was working with legislators along the corridor and the HSRA to advocate for the adoption of this proposal.
The revised business plan is expected to be completed in March.
