Frequently Asked Questions

Caltrain Real-time information is currently available in testing mode at all stations with visual message displays and audio equipment. During the month of June 2013, the system will be constantly monitored and evaluated to better serve Caltrain customers. Caltrain Real-time on the website will be open to the public after the acceptance test in mid-July. After the system is fully implemented, the information will be available through 511.org.

What is Caltrain Real-time and where can I find it?
Combining locomotive-equipped Global Positioning System and a rail operating control system, Real-time refers to predictive departure information at the stations, on caltrain.com and on 511.org.

Is Caltrain Real-time actually "real-time"?
The term "real-time" describes the predictive time when Caltrain will depart, not arrive, from a scheduled station. At the Caltrain stations, the system provides status updates if a train is predicted to depart more than 2 minutes late from the scheduled time.  On the Caltrain website and 511.org, the system presents a countdown to the departure time.

What can I expect from "real-time"?
At the station:
- predictive departure times (next 2 trains within the next 60 minutes)
- display will show train number, schedule departure time, status update compared to the scheduled time
- "minutes late" status update
- audio announcements when train is approaching or train lateness is greater than 5 minutes.

On caltrain.com (release date – TBD):
- predictive countdown to the next departure time (next 3 trains)
- each station page will display real-time interface (auto-refreshes every minute)
- a drop-down station selection option (does NOT auto-refresh)
- a mobile-friendly web interface option

On 511.org (release date – TBD):
- predictive countdown to the next departure time by route (next 3 trains or within next 90 minutes)
- a drop-down route selection menu (local, limited or baby bullet)
- a drop-down direction selection menu
- a drop-down station stop menu

Why do some train approaching announcements mention train numbers and others don’t?
Due to the length of the display and audio message, only the train stopping at the station will have the audio message saying “Attention – train XYZ approaching”. Announcements without train numbers refers to trains which are not scheduled to stop at the station (“Attention – train approaching”). While customers are at the stations, Caltrain strongly advises everyone to stand behind the yellow line at all times.  Note: Not all the trains will be announced when approaching a station.

Why are there train numbers different from the scheduled timetable?
Caltrain offers additional service to accommodate extra riders to local events. Most of the special service predictions also will be available on the Caltrain Real-time system. Trains with a published scheduled for an event will start with “S” and the following numbers will represent the train direction (odd numbers are northbound and even numbers are southbound). In addition, trains adding extra capacity along the Caltrain corridor designated with “A” will normally run in advance of the regularly scheduled train (i.e. train A39 runs in advance of train 139)

Why do some station displays say “arriving” and others say “departing”?
A train departing its first scheduled station will display “departing” while along the line the displays will show “arriving”.

What happens to the predictions at stations where the train may leave up to 5 minutes earlier (as noted in the timetable)?
The system will never predict trains departing early at the stations. Please refer to the timetable, if the train, station and schedule is marked, make sure to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the train departure time.

Can you turn off the audio announcements during certain hours of the day?
Caltrain keeps the train approaching announcements available at all times as a caution reminder at the stations.

6/19/13 - rjc