Caltrain OKs discount for low-income riders

The Caltrain board unanimously adopted a resolution of support for the pilot at a meeting Feb. 7, despite concern about the transit agency’s ability to afford it.

“I think we’re in a really interesting position being an agency that has financial problems and some financial uncertainty — it is somewhat going out far on a limb to do something like this and hope that it works out,” said Board Member Charles Stone, a Belmont councilman. “I think the equity concerns outweigh those concerns on balance and we should do it and it’s certainly in line with things that have been said on this dais.”

The pilot will span 12 to 18 months and it will be subsidized by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which will manage the program.

MTC will cover up to 50 percent of revenue losses for the first year or so bringing expected revenue losses for Caltrain to between $200,000 and $900,000 during that time. But considering the potential increase in ridership that the fare discount may generate, staff estimates the pilot will be revenue neutral or even net positive to the tune of $500,000.      

What happens after the pilot comes to an end is unknown, which is why Board Member Dave Pine, a San Mateo County supervisor, wants the agency to be clear that the program is a pilot with an uncertain future. 

“I think it should be very clear to the user base that this is a pilot because if our budget situation requires I would potentially have to vote to end it if that was required and I’d hate to see that happen, but I take the word ‘pilot’ seriously,” he said.

Board members did concede Caltrain fares are relatively expensive and that 20 percent is a modest discount, but suggested anything higher than that is simply not feasible considering the agency’s financial outlook — Caltrain is facing a projected budget deficit of $5.1 million for fiscal year 2020 and that deficit could grow to $17.8 million by fiscal year 2022. 

Muni, which is also enrolling in the pilot program, has agreed to a 50 percent discount, by contrast, though the other participants — BART and the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District — have all opted for the 20 percent discount.

“We are proposing to start small and see where we end up,” said Michelle Bouchard, Caltrain’s chief operating officer.

A handful of speakers expressed support for the program during public comment, and one of them, Jeff Clark, suggested local employers subsidize the program.

Bouchard said social service organizations in each of the counties that Caltrain services will alert pre-qualified residents about the program. Riders will be able to enroll by filling out a form manually or electronically.  

The board will see quarterly updates on the pilot once it’s implemented. 

zachary@smdailyjournal.com

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