Caltrain proposes shuttering half its stations

[marmar]

from the Mercury-News:



Caltrain proposes shuttering half its stations

By Mike Rosenberg and Gary Richards
Bay Area News Group

Posted: 02/03/2011 06:34:45 PM PST
Updated: 02/04/2011 07:40:23 AM PST


Caltrain officials on Thursday proposed closing up to 16 stations in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties -- turning half the rail line's stops into ghost depots, stranding thousands of riders, and leaving several huge shopping and housing centers without their prized train stops next door.

The plans, unveiled at a Caltrain board meeting, come in addition to a fare hike and deep cuts first revealed last year, including eliminating all but weekday rush-hour service between San Francisco and San Jose.

Caltrain leaders said the station closures and service cuts will be necessary starting July 2 to survive a record $30.3 million deficit -- about one-third of Caltrain's operating budget -- unless they receive an influx of last-minute funding from outside sources, which they say is increasingly unlikely. The board does not expect to make a decision on the cuts until April.

"We have a very serious financial crisis looming," said CEO Mike Scanlon. "I think we've looked under every rock" for more money. ..............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_17287334

[Bandit]

1. Just one more example of the once great country America in decline.

The short sightedness is unbelievable...:shrug:

[Newest Reality]

2. Three cheers for

the oil and automotive industries, as well as relate profit suckers.

One of the top priorities stressed across the board was for America to begin a state-of-the-art mass-transportation initiative across the country so we could catch-up with less primitive, industrialized countries. There are many incentives and reasons to do so, but it is primarily about the impact of Peak Everything and an intelligent, rapid response to the looming crises ahead.

Oh well.

[RKP5637]

3. The brains expatriated from America and greed replaced innovation, planning and

organization for the benefit of the country.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

4. But official unemployment claims are dropping and we are now in a robust economic upturn...

aren't we?

I suppose the fact that the state and federal governments are bankrupt could have some far reaching repercussions.

[Angry Dragon]

5. I wonder if they looked at cutting top exec pay and perks??

[liberal N proud]

6. Say what?

Execs cutting the pay of execs? NEVER!


:sarcasm:

[KamaAina]

7. That would basically take most of the Peninsula off the map on weekends

including Palo Alto, home of Stanford.

Also, the one remaining link from San Jose to civilization, a bus that runs to Fremont BART every 40 minutes (whether you need one or not :sarcasm: ) would undoubtedly get slammed -- and I get on at the very last stop. :scared: