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History Caltrain Milestones

Caltrain Milestones – 2007

The Federal Transit Administration recognized Caltrain with “Success in Enhancing Ridership” Award for a nearly 23 percent ridership growth from 2004 to 2005.
The Centralized Equipment Maintenance & Operations Facility in San Jose opened in September. The $140 million facility took two years to build and accommodates such critical activities as inspections, maintenance, repairs, train washing and train storage.
Caltrain began construction at Burlingame, Palo Alto and California Avenue stations. The projects will remove the “hold out” rule at Burlingame and California Avenue and include safety enhancements such as center boarding platforms and pedestrian crossing gates and ADA accessibility.
Caltrain was added to Google Transit Trip Planner

December 2006

Caltrain achieves the highest annual average weekday ridership levels in the railroad’s 143-year history, with more than 35,000 daily rides. With an impressive annual ridership increase of more than seven percent, Caltrain credits the success of the previous year's "reinvention" and expanded Baby Bullet Service.

November 2006

Caltrain unveiled Project 2025, its 20-year plan to improve and expand its service to meet the demand in growth for commuter rail on the Peninsula. The plan includes the electrification of the railroad and major improvements to terminals and infrastructure.

August 2006

Caltrain successfully tested the first high-speed wireless Internet system on a train in the U.S.

May 2006

Caltrain launched the "Don't Shortcut Life" rail safety campaign. This agency-wide program redoubled Caltrain's efforts improve safety along the railroad through increased education, additional enforcement and improved engineering, in order to dissuade people from taking unnecessary risks around railroad tracks.

August 2005

Caltrain “reinvents” itself by remaking its commute schedule with more Baby Bullet trains (22 in total) and stations, and additional limited-stop trains. A total of 96 trains operate on weekdays. The new service is designed to help the rail agency out of a $13 million-plus deficit. To accomplish this more efficient use of crews and equipment, weekday service is suspended to the Paul Avenue, Broadway and Atherton stations, and reduced at College Park and on the Gilroy extension.

July 2005

Caltrain participates in the regional Spare the Air program, which provides free transit rides until 9 a.m. on days when the air quality is expected to reach unhealthy concentrations. July 26 proves to be the only day that season when air conditions trigger the transit-ride alert.

July 2005

A year after the introduction of the first Baby Bullet trains, average weekday ridership is up 6.3 percent – from 30,330 to 32,238. Caltrain implements the first of a two-step fare increase. Fares increase an average of 17 percent. An additional 5.6 per cent increase will go into effect in January 2006.

May 2005

Caltrain adds two more Baby Bullet trains to its timetable. The new trains serve the reverse commute.

November 2004

Ground is broken for the $140 million Centralized Equipment Maintenance and Operations Facility in San Jose, which will provide a much-needed place for Caltrain crews to work on locomotives and passenger cars.

June 2004

After four years of planning and two years of construction, Caltrain launches Baby Bullet service and brings back weekend train service. Ten Baby Bullet trains are included in the new 86-train schedule, with stops at San Francisco, 22nd Street, Millbrae, Hillsdale, Palo Alto, Mountain View and San Jose. Weekend service also increases, to 32 trains on Saturdays and 30 on Sundays.

March 2004

Rebuilt Lawrence station makes its debut a few weeks before the completely reconstructed Bayshore station opens for service on March 22. In preparation for the Baby Bullet service, both stations become fully accessible to people with disabilities and have a number of aesthetic improvements.

September 2003

Caltrain introduces Proof-of-Payment system and a major restructuring of zones and fares.

June 2003

BART connection with Caltrain opens at Millbrae providing the first cross-platform connection for the two systems.

May 2003

New $11.4 million Sunnyvale Transit Center is dedicated, replacing an outmoded structure and providing a 400-space parking structure plus 100 surface level spaces.

April 2003

The first of six new Baby Bullet locomotives makes its debut at a "baby shower" in Burlingame. Senator Speier christens the engine.

February 2003

Construction kicks off on the $49 million South CTX construction project, which includes work on the southern end of the Caltrain main line to facilitate the Baby Bullet service.

November 2002

Pulled by ex-Southern Pacific locomotive No. 2472, Caltrain's Trains for Tots special attracts huge crowds during its two-night run and more than 6,000 toys for local charities.

October 2002

First Baby Bullet cars go into service.

August 2002

Responding to declining ridership and revenue, Caltrain reduces weekday service from 80 to 76 trains.

July 2002

To facilitate the CTX work, Caltrain suspends weekend service for nearly two years. The shut down of rail service in order get the work done as quickly, economically and safely as possible occurs at the same time that the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board marks its 10th year as owner and manager of the Peninsula's commuter rail service.

June 2002

Caltrain unveils first of 17 Bombardier cars which will be used in the Baby Bullet service during a ceremony in San Francisco which featured Gov. Gray Davis and State Senator Jackie Speier. She was instrumental in getting $127 million in funding included in the governor's budget for the Baby Bullet.

April 2002

Caltrain board awards a $64.5 million project for the North CTX Project, which sets the stage for the Baby Bullet service and a BART connection at Millbrae. In a major upgrade, a centralized traffic control system will be installed and passing tracks will be added in Brisbane and Sunnyvale.

December 2001

Caltrain and the Golden Gate Railroad Museum team up to present the first annual Trains for Tots Special to generate toy donations for local charities while bringing holiday cheer to local families.

April 2001

Caltrain adds two weekday trains for a total of 80. The $58 million Ponderosa Project brings about numerous systemwide improvements.

February 2001

Caltrain reports highest ridership in the rail line's 138-year history: 10.3 million in calendar year 2000.

September 2000

In a year when Caltrain begins service to Pacific Bell Park, ridership reaches an all-time high of 9.8 million. Ten new weekday trains create half-hourly midday service.

March 2000

Inaugurated special service to Pacific Bell Park for San Francisco Giants baseball games.

November 1999

Opened the new, relocated Hayward Park station in San Mateo.

May 1999

Approved the Rapid Rail Plan, an $836 million rehabilitation electrification program.

April 1999

Opened the San Antonio station in Mountain View. Added weekday trains, bringing the weekday total to 68.

January 1999

Awarded a $41 million construction contract for 30 projects along the Caltrain right of way. The project is known as the Ponderosa.

December 1998

Caltrain receives the first of three new locomotives. A celebration was held at Caltrain's Fourth and King streets station in San Francisco to honor the completion of the interior station renovation.

August 1998

Began selling 10-ride tickets via the internet.

March 1998

Twenty new passenger cards ordered, six of which are cab cars. Also ordered 101 state-of-the-art ticket vending machines.

July 1997

Caltrain increases service: six weekday trains and two Saturday trains. Caltrain also introduces a new logo.

June 1996

Caltrain records the highest annual ridership since 1958 -- 7.4 million.

Nov. 24, 1995

The number of bicycles allowed per train increases to 24 making Caltrain the least-restrictive and most accessible rail system to bicyclists in the country.

July 1995

Caltrain becomes accessible to passengers in wheelchairs.

The Redwood City Transit Center, serving Caltrain and SamTrans bus passengers, is dedicated.

Dec. 8, 1994

Dedication ceremony is held to mark the completion of the reconstruction and restoration of the San Jose terminal, which is renamed "San Jose Diridon Station."

Sept. 17, 1994

Burlingame station marks 100th anniversary with a community fair.

June-July 1994

Some 170,000 people take Caltrain to and from World Cup soccer games at Stanford University.

January 15-16, 1994

Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board celebrates 130 years of continuous passenger service between San Francisco and San Jose at an open house marking the 130th anniversary of the Santa Clara depot. It is the oldest continuously operating train station in California.

September 1992

A limited Bikes-on-Board Program is introduced.

July 1, 1992

The Peninsula Corridor Study Joint Powers Board becomes the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board with Amtrak as contract operator. San Mateo County Transit District provides administration and contract oversite.

Weekday service is increased from 54 to 60 trains.

Tamien station opens in San Jose.

Service is extended to Gilroy.

December 1991

The Joint Powers Board purchased rail lines in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. The JPB secured trackage rights to Gilroy for another $4 million, with an option to acquire half the right of way in the future. Union Pacific retains rights to operate freight service in the corridor.

Right of way is purchased from Southern Pacific Transportation Company for $220 million.

1988

San Carlos station celebrates its centennial.

Two additional locomotives and ten more cars are purchased.

1987

Peninsula Corridor Study Joint Powers Board is formed.

June 1985

The first of 63 new gallery cars equipped for push-pull operation go into service, along with 18 new F40PH diesel-electric locomotives (each named after a city on the line).

October 1981

Train schedules are extensively modified and several "reverse commute" trains are added. Total number of weekday trains increases from 44 to 46.

July 1, 1980

The new agreement takes effect, with Caltrans assuming responsibility for the Peninsula Commute Service.

1979

The 1909 wood-frame/stucco Redwood City station is damaged in a fire and replaced by a trailer.

1977

Southern Pacific petitions the state Public Utilities Commission (which says "no") and then the Interstate Commerce Commission to discontinue the Peninsula Commute Service. A bitter fight follows. After long months of negotiation, the three counties through which the Peninsula Commute Service runs and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), reach an agreement with Southern Pacific. SP would become the contractor and the public agencies would cover most of the operating costs.

1976

San Mateo's old station is torn down to make way for a parking structure.

June 23, 1975

Fourth and Townsend streets terminal opens in San Francisco.

May 1, 1971

Amtrak takes over operation of the nation's intercity passenger trains. The northern terminal of the Coast Daylight to Los Angeles is changed to Oakland from San Francisco. Southern Pacific's Del Monte, which ran from San Francisco to Monterey, is discontinued. As a result, commuter trains become the only rail passenger service between San Francisco and San Jose.

1965

The grade separation is built at Hillsdale Boulevard in San Mateo.

June 1955

The first of ten "gallery cars" are delivered to Southern Pacific. The cars, which provide more seating, are an instant success, and in January 1956, Southern Pacific orders 21 more. A final order of 15 is placed in 1968.

Early 1950's

Diesel locomotives begin to appear in the Peninsula Commute Service.

December 1935

A new terminal opens on Cahill Street in San Jose.

1915

San Francisco terminal moves to Third and Townsend streets. The station has been built to handle crowds for the Panama Pacific International Exposition.

1870

San Francisco and San Jose Railroad is absorbed into Southern Pacific.

Jan. 16, 1864

The line is completed to San Jose. Within a short time, two trains operate each way weekdays between San Francisco and San Jose. The San Francisco terminal initially is located at 18th and Valencia streets.

October 1863

Regular service between San Francisco and Mayfield (now California Avenue in Palo Alto) begins. The trip takes two hours. At Mayfield, passengers have to board a stagecoach to get to San Jose.

1860

San Francisco and San Jose Railroad incorporates. Financing for a railroad between those cities comes from three counties -- San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara.