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Caltrain's board voted unanimously last week to postpone a decision on reducing the train schedule until an April 21 special meeting.

The board directed staff to identify additional funds that would make the cuts unnecessary, Caltrain officials said in a prepared statement. The proposal under consideration would have reduced the current 86-train schedule to 76 trains. Board members indicated they want no cuts to the current schedule, which has helped Caltrain reach record-high ridership. Average weekday ridership reached 41,442 in February, a 13 percent increase compared with February 2010.

"The system is not broken, but we’re looking today to break it. It is a model for a system that runs beautifully," said board member Adrienne Tissier.

Service reductions are under consideration because of a projected $30 million deficit for fiscal-year 2012.

To keep the current schedule, Caltrain would need an additional $3.5 million in funding. Possibilities include right-of-way repayment to SamTrans from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, and converting funds allocated for electrification, the Dumbarton Rail Corridor and regional money from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for maintenance to operating funds.