CALTRAIN’S NEW ELECTRIC SERVICE
SETS FRAMEWORK FOR RAIL NETWORK
IN CALIFORNIA

New schedule improves service, shortens travel times,
reduces air and noise pollution, and provides
state-of-the-art onboard experience

September 21 was a big day for Caltrain, as the agency launched their full electrified schedule, bringing the 160-year-old San Francisco-San Jose, CA, rail corridor from diesel power to electric. Caltrain is currently running 100 percent renewable, zero-emission service from San Francisco to San Jose.

The new, full schedule of electric train service was welcomed last weekend with an "Electrification Day.” The community joined the celebration and enjoyed free fares and special events in every city along the corridor.

"…this is a huge upgrade to the commuter rail that really is the backbone of Silicon Valley. This is how people get to work every day." ~ San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan

The high-performance, state-of-the-art electric trains offer a better experience for Caltrain riders. Caltrain service is now faster and more frequent, with 16 stations seeing trains every 20 to 15 minutes during peak hours, weekend trains arriving twice hourly and express service from San Francisco to San Jose in under an hour. Along with that, the new vehicles offer enhanced amenities, including free Wi-Fi, onboard digital displays, power outlets at each forward-facing seat, energy-efficient lighting, baby-changing tables in the bathroom, security cameras, an improved climate control system and expanded storage under the cantilevered seats. The electric trains also generate less noise than the diesels they replaced.

The Electrification Project is fully funded due to the efforts of federal, state and local partners that helped secure funding, and is the first diesel-to-electric transition in North America in a generation.

“The electrification of Caltrain is a milestone that we have been working towards for decades, and now everyone we serve can enjoy world class rail travel. I am grateful for the thousands of men and women who have worked hard to make this day a reality.”
~ Caltrain Executive Director Michelle Bouchard

Electrification will help meet ambitious regional and state climate action goals by lowering greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality and relieving traffic congestion. An added benefit is increased access for equity priority communities in the region.

The new trains, which were built by Stadler US at their facility in Salt Lake City, UT, accelerate and decelerate faster than the diesel fleet, allowing more frequent stops in the same amount of time.

Diesel trains may still be occasionally utilized along the corridor in certain circumstances, such as a maintenance issue or emergency situation. Diesel freight trains will also continue to operate on Caltrain tracks.

Click the image above to watch an NBC Bay Area news report on this story.

FRA SCHEDULES SECOND SYMPOSIUM ON ACCIDENT/INCIDENT SUBMITTAL METHODS

The second in a series of four virtual technical symposiums designed to provide information about the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) plan to update the accident/incident submission methods is coming up on Oct. 10.

The meeting will be held via Zoom from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. EDT. Register at THIS LINK (if you are unable to attend live, register anyway and you’ll be sent a recording of the webinar). The agenda includes a recap of the first symposium, including polling results, participant-submitted questions and ideas, and open discussion.

Two additional symposiums are tentatively planned for January and February 2025. These last two symposiums will take place after the finalized Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).

DOT is committed to providing equal access to this event for all participants. If you need other reasonable accommodations such as language translation or alternative formats, please indicate so on your registration form or email Part225Reporting@dot.gov.

For questions about this initiative or the upcoming meetings, please contact the Part225 Report Team at: Part225Reporting@dot.gov.

LAST CHANCE: Registration closes next Friday, October 4.

REGISTER HERE NOW

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