Caltrain Governance in Age of Electrification

Yoriko Kishimoto, Friends of CaltrainFormer Mayor of Palo Alto

Former Board member, Valley Transportation Authority

Caltrain: History

* 1863-2013: Celebrating 150 years of passenger service on Peninsula* Began as San Francisco and San Jose Railroad Company (private company but 1/3 owned by voters of 3 counties in 3-county election)* Came to be owned and operated by Southern Pacific * Passed to hands of State of California and Joint Powers Board (JPB), subject to voluntary annual appropriations from three counties

Caltrain Governance: Goals and Criteria

* Stable, dedicated funding * For riders, seamless ride in payment, transfers, schedules, quality transit that works* For riders and taxpayers: cost effective delivery of service and fair cost allocation* Balance between region-wide efficiency and responsiveness to local needs

3 models of re-organization* Incremental Improvements

* Caltrain special district - all of 3 counties or special district boundaries

* Public transit coordination authority model

Incremental improvements* Ridership and farebox revenue - $22.4 million in farebox in FY2004 to adopted budget $66.1 million in FY2014* Updated cost allocation among three counties to reflect changing commute patterns* Need coordinated 3-5 year operating and capital budgets to avoid last minute crises* Electrification and TransBay extension

Caltrain special district* Special legislation to allow three counties to vote as one for Caltrain parcel tax (950,000 parcels)

* Special district to include only areas in “Caltrain sphere” could also be considered

Learning from other regions:Public transit coordination authority model

* What do other global regions do to coordinate 9 counties, 3 large cities, 98 smaller cities, 26 transit agencies?* Michelle DeRobertis: public transport coordination authority that coordinates but leaves independent transit operators