More Service Suspensions as Construction Continues

Caltrain saw more reductions in weekend and weekday service this month, but it’s been great news for electrification construction. So far this year, 50 poles have been erected and over 184,000 feet of wire have been hung, getting the project much closer to completion. We appreciate our riders’ patience as we complete this construction, and look forward to seeing you enjoy the fruits of our labor once electrified service launches in 2024.

Caltrain Board Holds Financial Workshop

On April 6, the Caltrain Board gathered for a Financial Workshop, discussing Caltrain’s looming fiscal cliff and strategic financial plan to balance the budget over the next two years. Many topics were covered, including ridership and service levels, incremental costs of electrification, state and federal assistance and much more. Caltrain continues to face a difficult situation, as do public transit agencies throughout the Bay Area, but we are confident that a sustainable funding solution will be achieved to support public transit in the years ahead.

Four-Car Trainsets Debut on Caltrain Corridor

If you’ve noticed that our trains have gotten shorter lately, it’s not because you’re getting taller. In order to match our current ridership level, save money on fuel costs and improve service reliability, Caltrain has begun running four-car trainsets, rather than the standard five-car consist. Caltrain will continue to run extra trainsets for special events that are expected to bring larger crowds. Each four-car trainset will have two bike cars and one ADA car to ensure that we have room for everyone who needs a ride. We look forward to restoring the 5-car trainsets as ridership continues to return to the system.

Caltrain Hosts White House Advisor Mitch Landrieu

The transformative nature of the Electrification Project continues to get attention as we approach the launch of electrified service, even from the highest levels of government. On April 25, White House Senior Advisor and Infrastructure Coordinator Mitch Landrieu toured one of Caltrain’s new electric trainsets at the San Francisco Station, and is eager to see them enter service next year. When asked about the train, Landrieu said “It’s a fantastic example of what the president’s vision was; to create a beautiful vehicle that goes fast, that’s safe, that’s electrified, that helps with the climate and provides really high paying jobs and gets people quickly and safely to where they’re going.” Caltrain hopes to host White House officials next year as these new trains enter electrified service.

Rally to Save Transit Held in San Francisco

As Caltrain faces a fiscal cliff in FY25, it’s good to see we still have a lot of supporters out there. On April 18, our Board Member Shamann Walton was joined on the steps of San Francisco City Hall by transit advocates and leaders as well as elected officials for a rally to save transit in the Bay Area. Speakers called for additional Discretionary Cap and Trade proceeds and shifting new federal highway funds to transit. Caltrain is proud to have so many people advocating for our system as we continue to grow our ridership and work towards the launch of electrified service.

Happy Earth Day!

Caltrain is proud to celebrate Earth Day once again. As a mass transit provider, Caltrain is a major force in the battle against climate change, with every trip displacing an average of three pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. As Caltrain electrifies, the environmental benefits of riding will only increase, making it imperative that more people reject highway gridlock and embrace transit. The Earth will thank you for it.

Gateway at Millbrae Station Opens

Caltrain Board Chair Jeff Gee was on hand for the Grand Opening of the Gateway at Millbrae Station, the new transit oriented development project located at the Millbrae Transit Center. This new community offers residential, office and retail locations that are already being snapped up by tenants and businesses. We expect to see ridership to and from Millbrae growing quite a bit as this vibrant new neighborhood develops into a thriving destination along our corridor.