Caltrain could bring Baby Bullets to Menlo Park Caltrain could bring Baby Bullets to Menlo Park (March 23, 2005)

** Proposed schedule eliminates Atherton, has fewer total stops in Menlo Park.

By Andrea Gemmet

Almanac Staff Writer

The new train schedule proposed by Caltrain staff is a mixed bag in terms of service on the Midpeninsula. It would bring the popular Baby Bullet service to Menlo Park for the first time, but it would cut the total number of train trips leaving from the Menlo Park station, and eliminate all train service to Atherton.

The proposed schedule, dubbed "Super 88" by Caltrain staff, was released Monday evening, March 21. It would add 14 Baby Bullet trains to the weekday Caltrain schedule for a total of 24, with six of them pulling into Menlo Park.

The Baby Bullets would replace six of the 38 so-called limited train runs that currently stop in Menlo Park. The number of slower, local trains would drop to 13 northbound and 13 southbound on weekdays, down from 19 northbound and 21 southbound on the current schedule.

As for weekend service, it would stay the same on Saturdays, with a total of 32 stops in Menlo Park, but on Sundays it would drop from the current 32 trips to 30.

The Baby Bullets are Caltrain's biggest revenue generators because they cost less to operate and they draw larger numbers of passengers who ride for longer distances, said Caltrain spokeswoman Jayme Kunz.

Caltrain officials have been desperately searching for ways to bridge a $13.6 million deficit projected for the fiscal year beginning July 1. A combination of proposed fare increases and the "Super 88" schedule is anticipated to get rid of $6 million of the deficit, Ms. Kunz said.

Community meetings on the proposals will be held simultaneously in San Carlos, San Francisco and Santa Clara beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 23. The San Carlos meeting will be held in the Caltrain Administrative Office at 1250 San Carlos Ave., which is also the location of the public hearing set for 10 a.m. on April 7.

Information on the proposals is available online at caltrain.com or by calling (800) 660-4287. Written comments can be sent via e-mail to changes@caltrain.com or to: Board Secretary, Caltrain, 1250 San Carlos Ave., San Carlos, CA 94070.

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