Caltrain has decided to revise its ambitious plan to increase train frequency due to significant declines in ridership and financial constraints. Originally aiming for up to 16 trains per hour, the updated service vision proposes a realistic target of up to 12 trains per hour, including four high-speed rail trains. Board skepticism remains high, particularly about the feasibility of achieving this vision, especially in light of recent cuts in federal high-speed rail funding and rising costs associated with the project.
"The justification for expanded growth, all that excitement we saw back in 2019, it's eroded," said Melissa Jones, highlighting the shift in ridership and funding concerns.
Palo Alto Councilman Pat Burt stated, "The notion that we're going to have four (high-speed rail) trains an hour is pretty close to a fiction," reflecting skepticism on high-speed rail timelines.
The revised service vision aims for up to 12 trains per hour, focusing on cost reductions for projects, as noted by Jones.
The Trump administration's announcement to pull $4 billion in funding for high-speed rail adds to concerns, labeling the project "a boondoggle."
Collection
[
|
...
]