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UPDATE: As of Monday, Nov. 9, at 5 p.m., Measure RR maintained enough “yes” votes to pass the two-thirds threshold, but its initial lead has shrunk to 69.1% or 1,003,587 of the ballots counted. San Francisco County reported 73.4% in favor of the measure, San Mateo County 70.7% in favor and Santa Clara County 66% supporting it. These results are unofficial and ballots continue to be counted.
Caltrain has lost significant ridership and subsequent funding during the COVID-19 pandemic, but after Tuesday’s election, it may receive a lifeline and long-term financial support.
Measure RR, which requires a two-thirds vote from three Bay Area counties, looks like it will comfortably pass.
As of early Wednesday morning, San Francisco County reported 74% in favor of the measure, San Mateo County with 72% in favor and Santa Clara County with 67% supporting it.
“With the passage of Measure RR, Caltrain now has for the first time in its nearly 30-year history a reliable and dedicated funding source,” said San Mateo County Supervisor Dave Pine, who also serves as the chairman of the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board that oversees Caltrain.
The measure would implement an eighth-cent sales tax increase in the three counties that would raise an estimated $108 million every year for 30 years.
Caltrain depends on fares for nearly 70% of its revenue and lost up to 95% of its ridership during the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order, which created an $18.5 million budget deficit.
“Measure RR funds will allow Caltrain to weather the COVID pandemic with continued service and provide faster, more frequent, and affordable service in the future,” Pine said.
The sales tax will also fund electrification of the train line and fund an equity plan that provides fares at half-price to low-income riders. “Caltrain will continue to be a critical component of our public transit network and will help sustainably and equitably drive our economic recovery,” Pine said.
The numbers from early Wednesday are not yet certified.
By Bay City News Service
By Bay City News Service
By Bay City News Service
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Wow—over $3B for Caltrain with little oversight from voters and bloated salaries for the bureaucracy that runs it. Where is the accountability? If people are worried about Caltrain during the pandemic, then there should have been a 1 year tax or payment to keep it afloat . But after that, it either sinks or swims based on normal daily ridership. They can pare costs (like salaries) to keep it going, just like a normal business. But to saddle taxpayers for 30 years with yet another tax in the highest taxed state in the country is close to outright fraud. What reason do they now have to watch how our money is spent, and to spend it wisely?