Caltrain Commences Fully Electrified Service

09/21/2024

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

Today, Caltrain launched its new electrified schedule, bringing the 160-year-old San Francisco-San Jose rail corridor from diesel power to electric. Caltrain is currently running 100% renewable, zero-emission service from San Francisco to San Jose for the first time.

Caltrain is celebrating the launch of the new service with free fares this weekend, and is holding celebratory events in every city along the corridor, with 12,000 RSVPs received so far along with many well wishes from supporters. Riders can easily visit multiple events thanks to Caltrain’s new half-hourly weekend service.

The new 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 receiving 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. Additionally, 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 their diesel equivalent, making the trip more enjoyable both for riders and residents that live near Caltrain tracks.

The Electrification Project is fully funded due to the efforts of federal, state and local partners that helped secure funding. Caltrain’s historic Electrification Project is the first diesel-to-electric transition in North America in a generation, heralding a new day in the legacy of American rail.

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Caltrain is hosting an “Electric Service Launch Party” on September 21 and 22.
Photo Courtesy of Caltrain.

Caltrain Offering Free Rides to Celebrate Electrification, F40s to Make Final Runs

By Railfan & Railroad Staff

Caltrain is hosting a weekend-long celebration across its system to mark the long-awaited lunch of electric train service between San Francisco and San Jose.

Last month, Caltrains’s new Stadler-built trains made their public debut after years of work to put wire up over the 51-mile route. Since then, the agency has slowly but surely been putting more trains in service between San Francisco and San Jose. Diesels will still be used on the run to Gilroy, but the electrification means the iconic F40s will be retired.

Electrification will help meet ambitious regional and state climate action goals by lowering greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality and relieving traffic congestion. By transitioning from diesel to electric trains, carbon dioxide emissions will be cut by 250,000 metric tons annually – equivalent to removing 55,000 cars from the road each year.

This weekend, Caltrain was hosting a series of free public events and offering free rides along the entire route. The full schedule of events can be found online.

This article was posted on: September 20, 2024