PANEL OF CONTRIBUTORS: New schedule could boost Caltrain ridership PANEL OF CONTRIBUTORS: New schedule could boost Caltrain ridership (February 18, 2004)

By Arthur L. Lloyd

The new timetable Caltrain will propose this spring could substantially boost the ridership lost to the sagging economy and the commensurate loss of jobs in Silicon Valley.

With five weekday "Baby Bullet" express trains running in each direction, coupled with the faster hourly limited trains and restoration of weekend service, Caltrain will generate new riders and be more competitive with highway competition.

In order to operate the "limited" service, some low ridership stations must be skipped, but will continue to be served by hourly trains seven days a week. It is human nature to say "yes, we want limited trains, but be sure they stop in my city." Yes, the overall time saved by a limited train may be only several minutes but nevertheless, we believe riders will eagerly board these slightly faster trains. The mere perspective of skipping some stops gives the impression of faster service, even though the maximum speed of Caltrain stays at 79 mph.

Weekend service, suspended during the extensive rebuilding of the corridor, will be restored in the spring with hourly service on Saturdays and Sundays, a step up from service every two hours on Sunday. In 1980, when Caltrain took over the Peninsula runs, offpeak service was hourly. Prior to that, under Southern Pacific, there were only three offpeak trains between 8:30 a.m and 3 p.m. (southbound), and five northbound trains. The new schedule certainly improves on what existed not too many years ago.

As one who commuted weekdays for over 40 years (1951 to 1991), I believe this new schedule will be a big improvement and encourage more ridership. Much is said about BART-like service, which has trains every 15 minutes on weekdays and every 20 minutes on weekends. This can be possible at Caltrain when and if electrification is accomplished.

Let's give the proposed timetable a chance, and add a stop for another train in the morning at Atherton and make adjustments as we go along.

Arthur L. Lloyd is a member of the San Mateo County Transit District board and the Almanac's Panel of Contributors. He lives in Portola Valley.

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