November 2020: SFLCV Recommends YES YES YES on Measure RR to Fund Caltrain

Measure RR authorizes a modest 30-year sales tax of 0.125% (1/8 cent) to fund operating and capital expenses of the San-Francisco-to-Gilroy Caltrain commuter service. This is important even for San Franciscans who don’t use Caltrain, because local transit agencies such as Muni currently contribute funding to Caltrain. A dedicated funding source will free up local transit agencies who need to focus on their own recovery and financial sustainability.

RR will fund planned improvements at Caltrain, such as electrification, which will cut emissions, reduce air and noise pollution, and expand service. It will allow Caltrain to make fares more equitable, expanding its means-based fare pilot program. The measure will help fund the extension from 4th and King to the new Salesforce Transit Center in downtown SF, where it connects to Muni, AC Transit, SamTrans, Golden Gate Transit and BART. It would also fund grade separation in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, using underpasses and overpasses to reduce conflict between trains and cars and pedestrians, thereby allowing trains to run faster, car traffic to flow more smoothly, and reducing pedestrian fatalities.

The Caltrain line, built in 1863, runs from San Jose Diridon Station down the spine of the peninsula, within 1 or 2 blocks of El Camino Real, to 4th and King near downtown San Francisco. The Pennisula’s most convenient neighborhoods, where residents can walk or cycle to nearby markets, services and recreation, are near its stations. These residents drive significantly less than if they lived in sprawl. Development here rather than out in sprawl reduces greenhouse gas emissions and pollution (as well as traffic and congestion.)

These improvements are long overdue and should not be held up by funding uncertainty.

The San Francisco League of Conservation Voters strongly urges a Yes vote on Measure RR.