Growing Coalition of Bay Area Businesses Supports Caltrain Electrification
For over a decade, an electrified Caltrain has existed only as an unfunded ambition of Peninsula employees, employers, and transit supporters. Today, we’re very close to making this dream a reality. Responding to the concerns of Peninsula residents, the California High Speed Rail Authority has adopted a “blended” approach that begins by electrifying Caltrain, and the Authority proposing to contribute over $700 million towards electrification. This approach will reduce the overall time and cost of the high speed rail project while electrifying the Caltrain system in as few as six years, bringing faster service with greater frequency for both residents and employers.
The blended approach has been endorsed by local, state, and federal elected officials in the Bay Area, the California High Speed Rail Authority, and Governor Brown. Now it’s in the hands of the Legislature, where a make-or-break decision must be made in just a few short weeks. If the Legislature gives its support, Caltrain can be electrified by 2019; if the Legislature fails to act, electrifying Caltrain will once again become a distant dream.
Sacramento needs to know how important Caltrain is to Peninsula employers and employees. The Bay Area Council has been working to build a coalition of companies and other organizations, including those listed below, to voice their support for this vital project. If you are interested in joining our growing coalition, you may use this template to send a letter of support to the key legislators involved in this decision, with a copy to Michael Cunningham at mcunningham@bayareacouncil.org.
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
