Caltrain Study Will Focus on Feasibility of Initial HSR Service

Caltrain is preparing to conduct a series of feasibility studies to determine whether the electrification and modernization of the commuter rail system can be designed and constructed to meet Caltrain’s future operational needs, while also accommodating initial high-speed rail operations on the Peninsula corridor.

The analysis marks the first time Caltrain has undertaken an independent assessment of the commuter rail agency’s infrastructure needs in a manner that focuses on the possible additional elements that could be necessary to operate an initial level of high-speed rail service in the future on the Caltrain right-of-way.

In 2009, following the approval of billions of dollars in state and federal high-speed rail funding, Caltrain engaged in a collaborative effort with the California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) to jointly plan, design and construct the project between San Francisco and San Jose. The goal was to accommodate high-speed rail in a manner that provided meaningful assistance to Caltrain’s long-term modernization goals.

In 2010, after the selection of the Central Valley as the starting point for the statewide high-speed rail project, Caltrain announced that it would reexamine its approach and called on CHSRA to revise its planning process to study the concept of phased implementation of the project.

At its February Board meeting, CHSRA CEO Roelof Van Ark directed Authority staff to analyze the potential for a phased approach on the Peninsula. The CHSRA Board is scheduled to receive more detail about this approach at its May meeting to be held in San Jose.

In a phased approach, the first phase is envisioned to electrify the Caltrain system and potentially allow CHSRA to operate enough service to satisfy initial ridership demand. Subsequent phases would expand the capacity of the system to meet additional ridership demand if needed.

“The concept of phased implementation has merit,” said Marian Lee, Executive Officer for Planning and Development at Caltrain. “Defining what it looks like and how it fits into the HSR EIS/EIR process is challenging and Caltrain, CHSRA and Peninsula communities will need to work together to define a planning process that facilitates meaningful dialogue and consideration of an initial HSR service”.

Additional studies that will be part of the planning exercise will include ridership projections, service plans, cost estimates and impacts analyses.  The planning effort would inform the HSR draft environmental document, scheduled for public release in the Fall of 2012.

With no dedicated source of revenue and a year-to-year structural operating deficit, Caltrain has struggled to maintain existing service. Modernization will provide significant operational improvement to the system and will also help create a sustainable financial structure.

Modernization would generate additional revenue for the system by attracting more riders. If the project proceeds on time this additional revenue would reduce the agency’s operating deficit by 45 percent in 2019. The project would also help improve air quality throughout the region by reducing the service’s emissions by approximately 90%.

Modernization includes electrification of the corridor, installation of a new signaling system and the operation of electric trains.

Without these improvements the agency’s structural deficit is projected to grow, placing additional burden on Caltrain’s member agencies, who are struggling to maintain existing service and frequently rely on one-time funding to balance the system’s budget.