CalTrain's Earthquake Equipment Proves Handy.

SAN CARLOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 21, 1996--Rail passengers traveling between San Francisco and San Jose didn't have their commute interrupted by today's 4.8 magnitude earthquake thanks to CalTrain's membership in the University of California at Berkeley's Rapid Earthquake Data Integration system.

Within six minutes of the 1:52 p.m. earthquake, CalTrain knew that the magnitude was below its threshold for stopping service and that train service could continue without a hitch.

"CalTrain's number one priority is to provide a safe ride to our thousands of daily commuters," said CalTrain's Operations Manager Walt Stringer. "And, REDI is one of the tools we use to ensure the passengers' safety."

For the past two years, CalTrain has relied upon the REDI system to identify the magnitude and location of earthquakes and their possible impact on CalTrain's tracks and structures. Without REDI, CalTrain maintenance of way staff would have to physically inspect all 48 route miles between San Francisco and San Jose.

CONTACT: CalTrain

Rita P. Haskin, 415/508-6248