Comment Log Display

Dear Chair and Members,
 
On behalf of Caltrain, we want to deeply thank the Chair and the
members of the Board, especially our local representative Davina
Hurt, for highlighting the importance of public transit in the
discussion of air quality and equity in the state and the
commitment passenger rail agencies are showing to the reduction of
diesel emissions on their systems. We also want to thank CARB staff
for working with us through major issues with the regulation that
would impact passenger rail agencies and developing a thoughtful
alternative pathway that maintains and in many ways strengthens the
expected emissions reductions while being responsive to the
limitations on public agencies. By fall of next year, Caltrain will
replace 20 of it's 1980's diesel locomotives with new zero emission
electric multiple unit (EMU) trains and we are working on
exercising an option with our manufacturer Stadler that expires in
August to transition more of our fleet to zero emission EMUs. We
are also in discussion with CalSTA regarding a pilot demonstration
battery-equipped EMU that could help demonstrate and allow the FRA
to vet this technology which could allow for off-wire zero emission
rail and intercity service. This could positively impact all rail
operators across the state and the nation. I hope that we can
continue to work with CARB to ensure that this regulation is
successful and must remind the Board that if California is going to
be a leader in the zero emission rail transition, funding is needed
to support it. 

Thank you again,

Devon Ryan
Government and Community Affairs Officer
Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain)