Politics & Government

Caltrain Board Votes to Declare Fiscal Emergency

South San Francisco mayor spoke against station closure.

Caltrain's board of directors voted this morning to declare a fiscal emergency to allow the agency more leeway in addressing its $30 million budget deficit.

The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board has declared a fiscal emergency for the struggling transit agency for the past several years.

The declaration makes it easier for Caltrain to raise fares and reduce service, two options on the table as it tries to stay afloat.

Find out what's happening in South San Franciscowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Caltrain riders flooded the board meeting in San Carlos this morning to plead against station closures in their cities.

The board is considering terminating service at a number of Caltrain stations including South San Francisco, Belmont, San Bruno, and the College Park station in San Jose.

Find out what's happening in South San Franciscowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"South San Francisco is one of the select cities along the Peninsula Caltrain corridor where jobs are being created," South San Francisco Mayor Kevin Mullin said at the meeting.

Several students from Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose said they depend on service at the College Park station.

"This is not simply a matter of convenience for the Bellarmine community," said Brian Adams, vice president for advancement at Bellarmine.

He said about 45 percent of the school's 2,000 Caltrain riders use services that are on the chopping block.

-Bay City News


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