Caltrain marks progress on business plan

Caltrain's long-term business plan is shaping up after a recent workshop with more than 50 local stakeholders, the railroad announced Monday.

Work on the plan began last year after Caltrain awarded contracts for construction related to its electrification project.

The business plan is aimed at evaluating how the railroad's system should evolve, expand and integrate with other transportation systems to accommodate job and population growth in the San Francisco region, Caltrain officials said in a press release.

The plan also will outline the infrastructure needed to support expanded service.

"I was very encouraged to hear that in a room full of over 50 of the most knowledgeable minds we have about Caltrain and how it is positioned to be a regional solutions provider, there was fairly good consensus about the goals and the challenges we will need to overcome," said Caltrain Chair Jeff Gee, who is a Redwood City Council member.

Caltrain leaders are mulling plans to extend rail service across the San Francisco Bay and connect with Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), Altamont Corridor Express and Capitol Corridor rail systems.