SFTRU Forum: Plan to Modernize Caltrain and Expedite High-Speed Rail Investment in San Francisco Region

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SFTRU, Friends of Caltrain, and the Sierra Club Joint Transportation Committee have invited Luis Zurinaga of the San Francisco County Transportation Authority to speak about the Fast Start proposal and take our questions. (The Chronicle wrote about the story here: http://goo.gl/mmn0u)

Over the last few weeks, local transportation agencies have been discussing the Fast Start proposal, which would expedite high-speed rail improvements in San Francisco and on the Peninsula, helping to modernize Caltrain much sooner than previously anticipated. Without this Fast Start plan, investment in San Francisco and the Peninsula is slated for 2034 or even later.

According to a recent presentation delivered to the SFMTA Board, the Fast Start plan could be delivered at a much lower cost than the estimates from the California High Speed Rail Authority and would generate higher ridership. Mr. Zurinaga said that staff is working with legislators along the corridor and with the HSRA to advocate for the adoption of this proposal. This is time-sensitive because the revised high-speed rail business plan is expected to be completed in March, for debate in the state budget this spring.