The following letter by Bruce Balshone was published in the Almanac's March 21 print edition:

Editor:

Recent criticism of city council members from San Mateo County (who sit on) the Coalition to Expand Transit Service (CETS) by our local transit officials is unwarranted.

By closing stations, Caltrain is opting for its own efficiency over the needs of the communities it serves. The station closures are opposed by the elected officials because their constituents are inconvenienced. And their communities' ability to plan for increases in population is significantly damaged.

The council members are voicing their concerns and are asking Caltrain for a remediation. They are doing their jobs as elected officials and I commend them for it.

No transportation agency makes a return from its fare box. Public dollars subsidize transportation costs. The closures of the stations in Atherton and Broadway in Burlingame are affecting those communities, even though they have low ridership. To criticize local officials for standing up for their cities is out of line. City councils are supposed to stand up for their residents.

Bruce Balshone, former chairman

Caltrain Citizens' Advisory Committee

Burlingame