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Caltrain Launches New Rail PSA, Sees Strong Results from Grade Safety Crossing Program
Earlier this month, Caltrain launched a new Public Service Announcement (PSA) highlighting safe practices around rail crossings.
The video, which can be seen above, is titled "15 Seconds Is All It Takes," and stresses that if motorists at intersections would just wait 15 seconds for trains to pass--instead of driving around downed gates--they would save themselves and their family members from great risk.
The PSA has been running on all Comcast channels this month as part of Caltrain's efforts to celebrate September as Rail Safety Month.
Along with the PSA, Caltrain's Transit Police engaged in a Grade Crossing Awareness Public Safety Program on September 21. The Transit Police ran targeted enforcement efforts at Caltrain grade crossings with a history of accidents and near-misses.
Between 7:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., Transit Police officers issued 52 citations to motorists. Of those, 35 citations were issued for blocking the railroad, and 17 were issued for failing to stop at the railroad gates.
More information about how Caltrain is recognizing Rail Safety Month can be found
here.
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Former SamTrans Executive Director, Current and Past Board Members, Receive Honors from APTA
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Former SamTrans General Manager/CEO Mike Scanlon with Board Member Shirley Harris
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At this year's American Public Transportation Association Annual Conference, the organization honored SamTrans Board Member Shirley Harris by naming her Outstanding Board Member of the Year.
At the same event, APTA inducted retired Transit District General Manager and CEO, Michael Scanlon, into the APTA Hall of Fame, and awarded former SamTrans and Caltrain Board Member Tom Nolan its Outstanding Public Transportation Board Member Award.
Harris has served as a public member of the SamTrans Board of Directors for more than 20 years. During her tenure she has played a direct role in creating a sustainable San Mateo County bus system, selecting two of the agency's CEOs, and contributing to APTA's Transit Board Members, Leadership, and Legislative committees.
Scanlon served public transportation systems across this country for nearly 50 years. In the early 90s, Scanlon took over as Director of the Broward County Transit system in Florida before leaving to join the San Mateo County Transit District as General Manager/CEO of SamTrans and Executive Director of the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board and the San Mateo County Transportation Authority.
In addition to serving on the Caltrain and SamTrans' Board of Directors, Nolan spent two full terms with the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors. He's currently Chairman of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency's Board of Directors.
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Pumpkin Express to Ride Again to Half Moon Bay Next Month
The ultra-popular fall gathering annually attracts thousands of visitors to the Coastside, creating lengthy traffic jams and parking difficulties.
Last year, SamTrans doubled its bus service on Route 294--which travels along Highway 92--to accommodate all the crowds heading to the event. The service upgrade turned out to be a huge success, as
ridership increased by 179 percent on the line during the weekend of the Pumpkin Festival.
This year, SamTrans
will once again be providing service every hour for the event, which is scheduled for Saturday, October 15, and Sunday, October 16. Instead of being stuck behind the wheel, festival-goers can relax, read a book and chill out in the air-conditioned environs of a SamTrans bus.
We're telling our patrons some good advice for this Halloween season:
Don't be haunted by traffic and parking goblins. Ride SamTrans Route 294 and travel in good spirits.
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Crowds Come Out for SamTrans 40th Anniversary Party
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Vintage Buses on Display for the SamTrans 40th Party.
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Bright skies and warm weather greeted the estimated 500 people who attended the SamTrans 40th Anniversary party at the San Mateo County Event Center on September 10.
The crowds were entertained by displays of vintage vehicles, maintenance simulations that showed off the inner workings of a SamTrans bus, and driving demonstrations from transit operators at the event.
The gathering also featured speeches from local policymakers and transportation advocates, and special recognition paid to Fran Tobar and Vincent Gavin, the only two active SamTrans employees who have been with the agency since the beginning.
There were plenty of kids activities too at the event, including face painters and balloon artists. To top it all off, festival-goers were able to the enjoy offerings from a variety of different food trucks.
SamTrans service officially began on July 1, 1976, when 11 different transit agencies were consolidated under one entity. After four decades, the agency is still going strong, as evidenced by the robust outpouring of support that was present at the 40th Anniversary party on September 10.
A photo gallery of the 40th Anniversary party can be found on the SamTrans Facebook page
here.
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Legislative Update Looks at AB 1889
AB 1889
On August 31
, during the final hours of the Legislative session, the Legislature passed Assembly Member Kevin Mullin's bill, Assembly Bill 1889. The bill helps facilitate the distribution of $1.1 billion in previously appropriated Proposition 1A funds for projects in northern and southern California on the high-speed rail system's bookends, including the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project (PCEP).
Last month, Caltrain awarded vital contracts for the PCEP and is relying on Proposition 1A funding to cover project costs. AB 1889 clarifies the Legislature's intent in appropriating Proposition 1A funds, which includes building early investments that help to facilitate longer-term high-speed train operations that can also be used by commuter/ intercity services in the near-term.
These investments are consistent with the High-Speed Rail Authority's business plan and help advance development of the Phase 1 blended system. The bill is now with Governor Brown for his approval.
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Will Reisman
650-508-7704
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