Caltrain Board Elects Officers, Adds New Members

For a second year, Santa Clara City Councilman John McLemore was elected chair of the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers board, Caltrain's policy board, at its January meeting.

San Mateo County Supervisor Mike Nevin was elected vice chair, and two new members, Redwood City Councilman Jim Hartnett and Santa Clara County Supervisor Don Gage, were sworn in at the same meeting. Hartnett was appointed by the San Mateo County Cities Selection Committee and Gage represents the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority.

Despite economic woes that have impacted transit ridership, McLemore called 2003 "an amazing year" for Caltrain. He predicted that "2004 will be an even better year with the resumption of weekend service and the introduction of Baby Bullet service."

Hartnett replaces former Burlingame City Councilmember Mary Janney and Gage replaces retired Sunnyvale City Councilman Manny Valerio.

A member of the San Mateo County Transit District Board for a year, Hartnett said he was pleased to join the Caltrain board because of its importance to the county and to the entire Bay Area.

"It's a challenging time and it's going to require a new focus and creative solutions," he said.

Gage, who was first elected to the Gilroy City Council in 1981, has represented District One in southern Santa Clara County since 1997. Gage said he looks forward to serving on the Caltrain board, where he can provide needed representation for southern Santa Clara County.

Gage also brings to the Caltrain policy board a broader perspective on public transportation because of his involvement as chairman of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority board.

The Caltrain board has nine members, with representatives from each of the three counties through which the rail service operates - San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara.

The Caltrain board meets the first Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at its headquarters, 1250 San Carlos Ave., San Carlos, two blocks from the train station.

Caltrain operates weekday service between San Francisco and San Jose and Gilroy and weekend alternate bus service between San Francisco and San Jose for the duration of the CTX construction project.

Caltrain connects with light rail lines at three stations and with BART and San Francisco International Airport at Millbrae. VTA provides free shuttle bus service between Caltrain and San Jose International Airport at the Santa Clara Caltrain Station.