Planning Commission urges partners to prioritize Oakdale station in Southeast Rail Station study

San Francisco ' The San Francisco Planning Commission unanimously endorsed the Southeast Rail Station study on July 14, urging partner agencies to prioritize an Oakdale station in the Bayview and advance environmental review and funding planning.

Planning staff told the commission the two-year study examined options to restore Caltrain service to the Bayview and to add a new station serving the Potrero/Dogpatch/Mission Bay corridor. "Staff do recommend, for the time being and based on currently available information, that the Oakdale Station be given the preferred nod coming out of this study," a staff presenter said.

Community speakers including Devon Shupatel, chair of the Bayview CAC, told commissioners the Oakdale option best serves long-promised access for Bayview residents and unlocks jobs and commute options. "Equitable transportation access unlocks economic opportunity," Shupatel said in public comment.

Speakers for community organizations urged the commission to insist that station planning include robust anti-displacement measures and job pipelines for neighborhood residents. Zach Weisenberger of Young Community Developers said the city must "pair any new station with strong anti-displacement protections" so longtime low-income and BIPOC residents benefit.

Commissioners focused questions on schedule, funding and technical next steps. Staff said environmental clearance (CEQA and NEPA) could take about three years and that further detailed ridership, refined cost estimates and schematic design work would be needed to firm up a funding strategy. SFCTA and Caltrain staff present said they expect to pursue Prop K and other local funds as part of a broader funding mix and to seek grant competitiveness for state and federal programs.

After deliberation, Commissioner Coppell moved to "endorse the study, encourage and urge next steps as soon as possible and also prioritizing the Oakdale station." The motion was seconded and passed unanimously, 7-0.

The commission recorded its endorsement as a policy direction urging the transportation agencies to accelerate the next-phase studies, coordinate fares and service integration, and plan community stabilization measures as schematic design and environmental work proceed.

Next steps identified at the hearing include further ridership and cost analysis, a path to environmental clearance, and interagency coordination on funding applications. Staff said they will follow up with the commission as partners advance schematic design and funding requests.