CALTRAIN MODERNIZATION KEY TO COUNCIL’S COMMUTE RELIEF GOALS

Continuing its push for commute relief in the booming Silicon Valley-San Francisco corridor, the Bay Area Council in partnership with the Silicon Valley Leadership Group (SVLG) and the San Mateo County Economic Development Association (SAMCEDA) led a delegation from the Caltrain Commuter Coalition for a series of meetings in the Capitol this week (April 16). The Coalition is composed of employers that recognize Caltrain modernization as an essential component of commute improvement, which itself is critical to sustaining the economic engine in this corridor. The planned Caltrain electrification project will allow faster and more frequent service; longer trains and level-boarding will add additional capacity and speed.

The delegation, which was jointly led by Council President and CEO Jim Wunderman, SVLG President and CEO Carl Guardino, SAMCEDA President & CEO Rosanne Foust, and Caltrain Executive Director Jim Harnett met with Transportation Secretary Brian Kelley, Governor Brown’s legislative advisor Michael Martinez, and transportation policy and budget leaders in the Assembly and Senate, reinforcing awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of electrifying Caltrain and requesting support for continued state funding. Learn more about the Caltrain Commuter Coalition at www.caltraincoalition.com or contact Bay Area Council Senior Vice President Michael Cunningham.