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How does Caltrain operate its weekday service?
Caltrain runs 98 trains each weekday, with 22 of them Baby Bullet express trains. Local service during the peak-hours is provided with timed transfers at the Redwood City station. During off-peak hours, local trains run from San Francisco to San Jose, serving all regular stop stations. Faster limited-stop train service also is provided.
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- Where does Caltrain go?
Caltrain provides rail service between San Francisco and San Jose, with weekday commute-hour service to Gilroy. Caltrain serves the Atherton and Broadway stations on weekends. Trains stop at the Stanford Stadium Caltrain Station for home Stanford football games.
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- Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets may be purchased in advance from ticket vending machines, at the staffed San Francisco and San Jose stations, through the mail (PDF, 81 KB) or online after completing an Internet application. Please be prepared to show your ticket to the conductor or fare inspector upon request.
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Can you eat and drink on the train?
Yes. Caltrain allows eating and drinking on the train, but please remember to remove all empty cups and other trash from the train. Discard all trash using the receptacles provided on or near the platforms
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What about drinking alcohol onboard?
Customers may drink alcohol onboard. However, consumption and open alcoholic beverage containers are prohibited on post-event and regular trains beginning at 9 p.m.
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Are there restrooms onboard the train?
Yes. Restrooms are located in the northern-most car.
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Are animals allowed on the train?
Service animals, such as guide dogs, may accompany persons with disabilities on Caltrain if the animals are on a lead that does not interfere with passengers and the animal is under the constant supervision and control of the owner. The animal may not block the aisle. If an animal misbehaves, the passenger will be asked to remove the animal from the train. No other animals are permitted.
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Why do Baby Bullet trains get priority over other trains during a delay situation?
Caltrain operates its service with a finite number of trains and crews, each of which is scheduled to arrive and depart from terminals at precise times. If a train becomes delayed, dispatchers have to decide what course of action will minimize the impact of the delay on the entire system.
In the case of Baby Bullet trains, they are often given priority over other delayed trains because they are scheduled to reach their terminal and leave again sooner. Even though it may appear to delay the slower trains further, it actually prevents delays from cascading through the system and creating more delays to trains that are scheduled to leave the terminal using the equipment or crew from the delayed trains.
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At what Caltrain station can I connect to BART?
Caltrain and BART both serve the Millbrae Intermodal Station. When making the connection with BART:
- Northbound Caltrain passengers can pass through the platform fare gates to transfer to BART, after purchasing a BART ticket.
- Southbound Caltrain passengers will make the BART connection by going up to the concourse level and then down to the appropriate BART track. BART passengers making a southbound Caltrain connection should do the same.
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How do I get to the San Francisco airport?
The BART Pittsburg/Baypoint line serves the San Francisco airport. Caltrain riders can access the BART system by boarding a BART train at the Millbrae Intermodal Station and traveling to the San Bruno station where there is a timed transfer to the airport. For more information about BART schedules, visit www.bart.gov.
SamTrans also offers transportation to the airport on Routes KX and 292. Route KX stops adjacent to a number of Caltrain stations along El Camino Real. Route 292 stops at the Burlingame Caltrain Station, a short trip from the airport.
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At what Caltrain station can I connect to San Jose airport?
VTA SJC Airport Flyer (Route 10) takes you between the Santa Clara Caltrain Station and the San Jose International Airport. The Airport Flyer is free and operates seven-days-a week throughout the day.
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What other transit systems meet Caltrain at the San Jose Diridon station?
Valley Transportation Authority buses and light rail and DASH shuttle serve the San Jose Diridon Caltrain Station, in addition to the Altamont Commuter Express, Capitol Corridor and Amtrak's Coast Starlight trains.
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How do I get to work once I reach my Caltrain destination?
Commuter shuttles connect many Peninsula and South Bay stations with employment sites. Shuttles are funded by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, Caltrain and private employers. Local transit agencies - Valley Transportation Authority (Bus Routes, Light Rail), SamTrans, Muni) - also offer connecting service at many stations.
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Can I bring my bicycle onboard?
Yes, bicycles are welcome on all trains at all times -- as long as there is space. The number of bicycles is limited to 32 per gallery-car train and 16 per Bombardier-car train. The northernmost car is designated as the "bike" car. Look for the black bike on yellow sticker which designates the proper car. Visit our Bicycle FAQs for more information.
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What stations are wheelchair accessibility?
The following stations are wheelchair accessible: San Francisco, Bayshore, San Bruno, Millbrae, San Mateo, Hayward Park, Hillsdale, Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, San Antonio, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Lawrence, Santa Clara, San Jose, Tamien, Capitol, Blossom Hill, Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy. By the end of 2008, the Burlingame and California Avenue stations will be wheelchair accessible.
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What type of service does Caltrain provide on holidays?
Caltrain operates its Sunday schedule (PDF, 718 KB) on:
- New Year's Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day (Fourth of July)
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
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Why can’t we skateboard, rollerblade or bike at the station?
Caltrain prohibits these activities on station property because of safety concerns for the user and other passengers. It is especially dangerous to skate and bike on the platform because of the chance of slipping into the track area. Each Caltrain weighs approximately one million pounds and takes up to one-half mile to stop.
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How much does it cost to park at a Caltrain station?
All-day parking (24-hour limit) is available at most Caltrain stations, including motorcycles, for $2. Higher rates are charged at the San Jose Diridon Caltrain Station during HP Pavilion at San Jose events. Stations south of the San Jose Diridon Station offer free parking.
Monthly Parking Permits may be purchased for $20 along with Monthly and Eligible Discount Monthly tickets. Only one Parking Permit may be purchased when buying two 10-ride tickets. Tickets and parking permits may be purchased through ticket vending machines; at staffed stations; at Caltrain headquarters, 1250 San Carlos Ave., San Carlos; or through the Ticket-By-Mail program. Download the PDF application here (PDF, 81 KB).
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What is the Caltrain GO Pass?
The Caltrain Go Pass is an annual pass purchased by companies for their employees. It is not available for purchase by individuals.
For more information, interested companies can click HERE or call 650.508.6292.
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I am always hearing that Caltrain has budget problems but I see lots of construction activity going on along the Caltrain line. What gives?
When Caltrain was developing its operating budget for fiscal year 2006, it was projected to have a $13-plus million deficit. Caltrain reinvented itself by adding more express service to attract more customers, thus increasing revenue to the rail agency. Caltrain’s operating budget is mainly comprised of passenger fares and subsidies paid by the member agencies (San Francisco, San Mateo County Transit District and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority). Although this new service has been very successful (ridership and revenues are up), Caltrain continues to struggle financially due to a structural deficit as well as the rising cost of diesel fuel.
The construction projects are funded by capital funds, mainly grants from outside agencies. Funds designated for capital projects, such as a station reconstruction, track upgrades and platform improvements, are prohibited from being used for operating expenses, i.e. running the service.
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Who qualifies as a senior citizen?
A senior is considered 65 years or older.
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What should I do if I've lost an item on the train?
Items lost and found on Caltrain are handled through the San Francisco and San Jose Diridon stations. To check on an item, please call San Francisco at 415.546.4482 or San Jose at 408.271.4980
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What is the Holiday Train?
Introduced in 2001, Caltrain’s Trains for Tots Special is a special holiday train that is produced in partnership with volunteers and attracts thousands of people to the train stations and downtown areas along the Caltrain corridor. Decorated with thousands of lights and animated decorations, the train operates on one weekend (on Saturday and Sunday night) visiting selected train stations for 20-minute stops, where kids can meet Santa and his family, and sing along with a Salvation Army band and on-board singers.
The underlying purpose of Trains for Tots is to help generate toy donations for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots Program and the Salvation Army, and people are encouraged to drop off toys in barrels placed around the stations for the holiday train visits..
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