Caltrain has been in the spotlight ever since the introduction of its Baby Bullet express service in 2004. And, the light shines brighter as the commuter railroad’s phenomenal growth in ridership and revenue attracts the attention of transit industry professionals and policy makers interested in replicating Caltrain’s phenomenal growth.

Caltrain began operating the popular express service as part of its 86 weekday train schedule, which was quickly increased to 88 weekday trains. Just a year later, faced with a fiscal crisis that threatened the railroad’s survival, Caltrain took a bold leap and expanded service to 96 weekday trains. This expansion was made possible by offering a mix of service patterns that included express, limited-stop and local trains. The new schedule was a success, attracting even more riders to the system. Finally, two additional evening trains were added, bringing service to the current 98 weekday trains.

During this time, Caltrain posted record-breaking ridership and in 2008, recorded the highest annual ridership in the railroad’s 146-year history. In Fiscal Year 2008, Caltrain carried nearly 12 million riders, up 8.6 percent from the previous year. Revenue was $40.1 million, up 15.1 percent from FY07. Since Baby Bullet service was introduced, ridership has increased 48 percent and revenue 108 percent.

Now, the railroad has arrived at a critical juncture: the current system is at capacity. Future expansion is limited by the railroad’s aging infrastructure and signal system and traditional diesel-powered locomotives.

Caltrain 2025 is a cost-effective, comprehensive plan to expand the system’s capacity while providing a measurably safer transportation network.

In the first phase of the plan, dubbed Caltrain 2015, the program will focus on installing a new signal system and electrifying the railroad. These are significant system enhancements that will allow Caltrain to expand its service and introduce high-performance rolling stock.

Caltrain proposes to operate a mix of conventional diesel-powered trains and Electric Multiple Units on its right of way. These modern vehicles could be in service as soon as 2015, putting Caltrain in the forefront as the first commuter railroad in the United States to operate this type of equipment.

These improvements will transform Caltrain and, over the next 10 years, provide the flexibility to expand service, attract more riders and increase revenue.

Caltrain 2025 is a comprehensive plan to take the railroad into the future, offer more trains, faster commute times, more frequent connections and better, more efficient infrastructure and equipment.

Downloads:
Handout - January 2009 (PDF, 624 KB)

Program Information and Findings - March 2008 (PDF, 236 KB)