When the mayors of San Francisco and San Jose spoke at the grand celebration in San Francisco on Aug. 10 at the historic roll out of Caltrain's electrified service, one would think that San Mateo County does not exist. They spoke of each of their cities as areas of importance and innovation, and why they are attractive to visit on Caltrain. The role of San Mateo County in preserving the Caltrain right of way so passenger rail service would exist, funding improvements to the system and regional transit, and operating the most efficiently run commuter rail service in the country was omitted — as was the role of companies based in San Mateo County that have forged innovation in the region, state, country and the world.
There was the deserved parade of elected officials including, a U.S. senator, the governor, congressional and state elected leaders who represent districts from San Francisco to San Jose, and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi who was critically important in supporting federal funding. Thank you, Congressman Mullin, and Assemblywoman Papan, for always mentioning your roots in our county.
From the founding of Caltrain in the 1990s to the present, San Mateo County leaders, and taxpayers have led the way. When Southern Pacific was abandoning passenger rail service, and the opportunity arose to purchase the rail right of way from San Francisco to the heart of San Jose, local funds were needed for the purchase. San Francisco and Santa Clara counties declined to contribute, so the San Mateo County Transit District not only invested San Mateo County taxpayer funds, but advanced on behalf of San Francisco and Santa Clara counties what they should have contributed. Later, the San Mateo County Transit District invested over $400 million dollars to bring BART into San Mateo County and establish the important regional transportation hub where Caltrain and BART meet in Millbrae.
No one made mention of San Mateo County taxpayers’ investment through a San Mateo County tax for the building of grade separations separating Caltrain tracks from roads in San Mateo County — perhaps because neither San Francisco nor Santa Clara invested any in their counties. No one mentioned that the San Mateo County Transit District, which manages Caltrain, created the most efficiently run, and seventh largest commuter rail service, in the country.
The attempt to obtain federal funds needed to start the build out of electrified service was a regional and statewide effort, with governmental leaders and businesses working together. Sen. Feinstein was a tremendous supporter, but, as of February 2017, it seemed all was lost. The funding was held over from the Obama to the Trump administration, which opposed the funding, as did Congressmember Kevin McCarthy. Sen. Feinstein’s office let out that there was no hope, and key business leaders said to forget it. However, the leaders of the San Mateo County Transit District did not stop. Implementing strategies developed in their “war room,” including working off the record with federal transit administration officials who had been instructed not to meet, and pushing key elements advising the White House to honor their commitments, San Mateo County Transit District leaders persisted. Then Sen. Harris was enlisted to challenge the Secretary of Transportation at a Senate Committee hearing, a breakthrough occurred, with the funding awarded in May 2017. Even then, at the official signing of the grant in Washington, D.C., federal officials could not be in the picture recording the signing.
It is way past time for acknowledgement and celebration of San Mateo County as the world’s center for venture capital and origin of some of the greatest innovation ever seen. This was a missed opportunity to encourage those from our north and south to visit San Mateo County on Caltrain to enjoy our wonderful and safe downtowns, our Michelin and mom and pop restaurants, our art and culture festivals, outdoor music performances, the San Mateo County History Museum chronicling innovation, Hiller Aviation Museum and much more.
This was a lost opportunity for San Mateo County to be shown the respect it has earned and the recognition it shows others.
Rosanne Foust is CEO/President of SAMCEDA. Jim Hartnett is an attorney and former CEO of SamTrans/ Executive Director of Caltrain.
(2) comments
Here, here!
Great comments, Roseann and Jim! San Mateo County works together to accomplish what's best for all of us. You both have been longstanding leaders in this effort. We thank you, along with Rep. Mullin, Sen. Becker and Assemblymember Papan, former Sen. Hill, and others past and future, for advocating for San Mateo County!
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