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Background
 In November 1996, Santa Clara County voters approved Measure A, an advisory ballot measure containing specific transportation projects. The Measure identified improvements for Caltrain estimated at $68 million in 1996 dollars ($78 million in 2000 dollars). More specifically, the ballot defined two Caltrain components:
- Caltrain Improvements from San Jose North - Improving Caltrain rail service by adding trains and improving facilities from San Jose to Palo Alto.
- Caltrain Improvements between Gilroy and San Jose - Improving Caltrain rail service by adding trains and improving facilities between Gilroy and San Jose.
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) developed a plan in response to Measure A to set clear priorities for Caltrain projects within Santa Clara County. The Draft Final Report and Recommendations for the Caltrain Plan was approved by both the VTA Board of Directors and the County Board of Supervisors for inclusion in the 1996 Measures A+B Transportation Improvement Program. The report recommends Caltrain improvements including both Operating and Capital projects.
Operating Plan
"Adding trains" is a high priority for the Caltrain Plan. The Plan includes a goal of achieving 86 mainline and and 20 Gilroy Extension weekday trains in 2006. VTA is working to accelerate the schedule for this increase, thereby reaching the recommended service levels earlier than 2006. It also was recommended that promotional weekend service on the Gilroy extension be pursued.
Capital Improvement Plan
| Recommended capital projects cover two main categories: stations and track. Both of these capacity-type improvements (station and track improvements) are aimed at supporting service level increases. |
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- Station Improvements - Recommended projects include added parking, expanded transit centers for shuttles and buses, improved pedestrian and bicycle access, reconfigured boarding platforms, and grade separated pedestrian crossings.
- Track Upgrades - Recommended track projects include double track segments to Gilroy and additional storage tracks in Gilroy.
Project Costs and Funding
The approved Caltrain Plan includes $82.1 million (1999 dollars) of Caltrain station and track projects that are eligible for Measure B funding. Only $75 million in 1999 dollars has been allocated in the 1996 Measures A+B Transportation Improvement Program for Caltrain. As a result, cost saving measures and other potential funding sources will be pursued to deliver the entire Caltrain Plan as recommended and to ensure that no more than $75 million in 1999 dollars will be appropriated in Measure B funds for Caltrain projects. In addition, VTA will absorb the net operating costs to increase service levels, the primary goal of the Caltrain Plan.
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