Elected officials in San Francisco and Santa Clara counties have produced a counter proposal after killing a proposed sales tax last week.
"A new proposal to save the 160-year-old Caltrain rail line was released by elected officials in San Francisco and Santa Clara County on Tuesday as supervisors there attempt to use the potential death of the transit agency as leverage in a power struggle with San Mateo County," reports Aldo Toledo.
According to Toledo, "the Caltrain governing board could be significantly changed under a new proposal signed by Mayors Sam Liccardo and London Breed, as well some members of both boards of supervisors." Changes in governance were key to a controversial vote by San Francisco Supervisors last week to kill a proposed sales tax to fund an expansion of service on the commuter rail system. Now the sales tax measure is being touted as a funding measure to help Caltrain weather the fiscal crisis created by the pandemic.
The article includes more details about the governance structure of Caltrain, and how the new proposal would change the equation.
Between the vote and the new proposal, San Francisco County Supervisor Aaron Peskin created a stir on social media by claiming that San Mateo County officials are exaggerating the existential threat to Caltrain.
I know the San Mateo PR machine would like advocates to think that Caltrain is all but dead but it’s literally just factually untrue.
We’ll continue to pay our fair share to supporting its essential functions, though our top priority has to be Muni.— Aaron Peskin (@AaronPeskin) July 16, 2020
>
FULL STORY: New Caltrain lifeline proposal could include changes to the agency’s governing structure
Compromise Reached to Save Caltrain
The saga of the three-county sales tax upon which the future of Caltrain depends is now in the hands of voters.
Caltrain on the Rocks as Sales Tax Measure Fails
Advocates are concerned about the possibility of Caltrain entirely shutting down—less than a year after the commuter rail line seemed positioned for a massive expansion of service.
One Rail System to Ring the Bay Area? Supporters See Reasons for Optimism
A plan to integrate the various regional transit providers in the San Francisco Bay Area could be the key to winning back transit riders in the post-pandemic world.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie