Caltrain launching pilot program to speed boarding process
Titled “Bikes Board First,” the project aims to do exactly that; allow bicyclists to board bike cars first at the Mountain View, Palo Alto, and Redwood City stations.
Beginning next week Caltrain will launch a five week pilot program that hopes to make boarding go faster and more smoothly.
Titled “Bikes Board First,” the project aims to do exactly that; allow bicyclists to board bike cars first at the Mountain View, Palo Alto, and Redwood City stations. Caltrain staff will be on hand at those stations to enforce the policy, which would prevent bicyclists from having to navigate through a crowd of riders blocking the entrance. These boardings will be timed and compared to the standard boarding process to determine if this new approach could make overall Caltrain service more efficient.
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Caltrain staff has found that 66% of delays result from issues with passengers, with a substantial amount of which pertaining to bikes boarding. In December 2017, issues related to bike boarding resulted in 1,352 minutes of delays. If successful, this program could increase on-time performance and increase the efficiency of service throughout the system.
The findings of this pilot, which was crafted with input from the Caltrain Bicycle Advisory Committee and bicycle advocacy groups, will be presented at the May meeting of the BAC. BAC Chair Dan Provence is optimistic about the pilot, stating “Caltrain carries 6,000 people with bikes every weekday. A system that allows for faster and easier bike boarding will greatly benefit everyone who rides Caltrain, which in turn benefits every commuter on the Peninsula.”
The announcement highlights the long-standing partnership between the Class I railroad and the commuter rail system, dating back to Metra's creation in 1983.
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The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board recently met for a budget workshop, during which staff outlined the significant service reductions Caltrain could be forced to make without new external funding.
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With major events and increased travel expected across the state this summer, the Administration is focused on making sure people have a reliable, affordable alternative to driving so we can reduce congestion, support daily commuters, and keep Massachusetts moving.
