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.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process
The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
Car-Centric LA Suburb Looks to a Train-Oriented Future
City leaders in Rancho Cucamonga, the future western terminus of the Brightline West rail line to Las Vegas, want to reimagine the city as a transit-oriented, pedestrian-friendly community.
New Alaska Bitcoin Mine Would Burn as Much Energy as the State’s Largest Coal Plant
Fueled by “stranded” natural gas, the startup hopes to become the largest in the US, and to make Alaska an industry center.
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.
Municipality of Princeton
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)