Caltrain Adding Service, Ridership Ahead Of Possible Cutbacks
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) - Even as the Caltrain faces the possibility of future cutbacks, the agency is adding service and is poised to break its own ridership record this summer.
The agency's board recently approved a $111 million budget that calls for six more trains starting July 1. Fares will be increasing, but only for riders still using paper tickets.
"The Clipper card was really confusing at first but I say we do away with paper, do away with paper and let's all get on board with Clipper," one man who described himself as a "regular rider" said at San Jose's Diridon Station Monday morning.
KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports:
Ridership levels have jumped 11% over the past year, which puts Caltrain on track to break its one day ridership record in the coming months.
Still, the agency has issued a warning that service cuts and even station closures very well may be on the horizon if county subsidies for Caltrain are reduced. Caltrain is the only transit system in the Bay Area without a dedicated source of funding.
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