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Questions About Baby Bullet Service Proposal
More than 1,200 comments and questions have been received regarding proposed
changes this spring to the Caltrain timetable. Following are some of the most
frequent queries, together with staff responses.
- Do these new schedules have something to do with all the right of way
construction we've been seeing?
They have everything to do with it. For the past two years, North and South CTX
projects have been upgrading the 140-year-old Peninsula Rail Corridor funded by $110
million in local resources, State and Federal grants. The result is a revitalized
infrastructure including new rail, signals, switches and passing tracks designed to
support a 21st Century rail operation.
- All this for the so-called "Baby Bullet"?
The new railroad is designed to support an increased weekday schedule of 86 trains
this spring, but the Baby Bullet is undeniably the most dramatic feature. Thanks to
$127 million in State funds through the efforts of Senator Speier, we'll be running
10 peak-hour Baby Bullet trips each weekday. We'll also run Limited Stop and Local
schedules. The result is frequent and faster service to a majority of Caltrain
patrons, and a running time of less than an hour between San Jose Diridon and San
Francisco-competitive with a trip by auto. More trains-and more Bullets-will follow
as we're able to add them.
- Why isn't my station a Baby Bullet stop?
We need to put the seats where the people are. Baby Bullet Express service operates
between San Francisco and San Jose Diridon in less than an hour. Thus, only a
limited number of stops can be served. Four interim stops were selected to meet
spacing and patronage criteria-Millbrae, Hillsdale, Palo Alto and Mountain View.
Limited resources restrict Baby Bullet to five schedules each in a.m. and p.m. peaks.
A reverse-peak stop at 22nd Street has been added for unique commute requirements.
Service will be added according to customer usage, as resources permit.
- Why is my station getting reduced service?
Levels of service are assigned according to patronage, or demonstrated demand. In
restructuring the timetable to keep pace with the change in jobs and housing patterns,
a hierarchy of stations establishes peak and midday frequencies while preserving
hourly local service in the corridor. Overall, the new timetable reduces travel
times, enhancing crewing efficiencies and responding to the persistent request of
Caltrain patrons: "Speed up the trains!" Bottom line: Major (highest ridership)
stations get service every 20 minutes, or three trains per peak hour; Moderate
stations get half-hour peak service, and Minor stations get one train hourly. Baby
Bullet Express stations receive four trains per peak hour.
- After the "faster schedule" hype, why is my travel time longer?
New passing tracks at Lawrence and Bayshore are keys to this spring's Express
schedules, because they allow the Baby Bullets to run around slower trains. Although
they'll be expanded, these tracks initially cover only one station each. For now, as
a result, more time must be added to each train that is overtaken by a Baby Bullet
Express. Trains in this category will take 3-5 minutes longer than current schedules.
Additionally, extra time at terminal points to account for actual conditions-delays
for bicycles, wheelchairs, more patrons, etc.-will reflect these impacts
realistically at intermediate stops in the new timetables. On paper, this results in
a longer running time. Schedules will be adjusted for added accuracy after a few
months of operation.
- Why don't we have more frequent weekend service?
Hourly service can be provided to all stations with a southern terminus at Diridon.
However, if Tamien is the end station, low-volume stations up the line are reduced to
two-hour frequencies. Because we're limited in the time that we can assign crews on
duty, we must carefully ration our weekend stops. As with other schedule components,
weekend service can be upgraded as resources and ridership permit.
- Can't you improve Limited and Local transfer possibilities?
It's the passing track issue again. One-station passing tracks require wide schedule
spacing to provide the five to seven-minute intervals required by the signal system.
This crimps the flexibility to match Limiteds and Locals with Baby Bullet connections.
Future three to five-station passing tracks will enhance transfer possibilities.
(Gilroy extension passengers traveling to and from Baby Bullet stops could reduce
round-trip travel times in excess of 45 minutes, depending on the distance they're
riding).
- Why aren't schedules timed better with connecting transit?
Restricted schedule flexibility sometimes impacts our efforts to better coordinate
with connecting operators such as BART, VTA and Muni. Several of these agencies are
making schedule changes, and we're working with them to improve matching connections.
In the same manner, we're coordinating with shuttle providers to preserve their
popular feeder services. In some cases, shuttles may be advised to shift to an
alternate station to provide more effective work trips.
- Why are trains scheduled in bunches?
Scheduling express train overtakes on our two widely-separated passing track segments
virtually eliminates the potential for even spacing during peak periods. Additional
passing tracks, when we have the funds to install them, will permit us to spread the
trains more evenly.
- If I need to use an adjacent station, can I find parking?
Parking is available at all interim stations. Atherton residents, for example, can
access Menlo Park or Redwood City stations to pick up additional trains. Lawrence
patrons have ample parking at Santa Clara or Sunnyvale. In many cases, Caltrain
patrons will find home-to-station commute time is virtually unchanged at an adjacent
boarding point.
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