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6/26/2014
Caltrain officials yesterday applauded the California Legislature's passage of a $108 billion state budget that includes $1.7 billion for public transportation improvements and future transportation initiatives.The 2014-15 budget appropriates funding to transit-related programs, including $25 million for transit operations, $25 million for transit and intercity rail, $130 million for housing and sustainable communities, $200 million for low carbon transportation, and $250 million for high-speed rail, Caltrain officials said in a press release.The state's long-term cap-and-trade program, which will begin in fiscal-year 2015, allocates percentages of the cap-and-trade revenue to statewide transit programs."Caltrain is well positioned to use these funds towards vital improvements that will reduce regional traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions while increasing capacity on a rail service that is overcrowded and is straining at the seams," agency officials said.Caltrain's modernization program will transform the agency from a diesel-based service to an electrified rail system. The modern system will feature high-performance trains that enhance capacity and enable the system to deliver cleaner, quieter and faster service to the region, Caltrain officials said.