By Jeremy Lipps, @Digital_Lipps
Adjusting to Crowded Trains
We recognize that Caltrain is crowded. We have the numbers to prove it and are currently looking for ways to provide more room, including trying to acquire additional rail cars. Until then, we have to take a more organic approach to making Caltrain service more comfortable for everyone. Besides common courtesy, logistical adjustments may be your best bet. That’s why we’ve put together a few key slides and statistics to help you make the best decisions to get where you need to go comfortably. It’s our goal to provide the most contented ridership experience possible. But demand continues to grow and with limited resources, providing additional capacity is a challenge.
#SB376 departed SF standing room only & at capacity for bikes. #Caltrain
— Caltrain (@Caltrain_News) July 25, 2014
Record Ridership
Caltrain, each weekday, is carrying more people than it has ever carried. Due to the current equipment in our fleet, there is little we can do immediately to relieve the pressure of this record ridership. That’s why we have been in negotiations to acquire more rail cars. As of this writing, we are on 59 straight months of month-over-month increases in ridership. There are few agencies that could handle this kind of growth. In the past decade, ridership has grown 120 percent. Take a look at the Average Weekday Ridership (AWR) graph: 
What Else Does This Affect?
With the dramatic increase in ridership every delay impacts more riders than ever before. Every time a breakdown occurs the time and the logistical planning it takes to resolve the issues are compounded by standing-room-only ridership. Additionally, there is more wear and tear on the aging passenger cars due to increased ridership. One example is that more doors are being held and forced open, resulting in more of the “door issues,” which cause delays and safety concerns. Parking is also getting cramped at many stations. Using transit, bikes and even walking are ways some folks may be able to reduce strain on parking. For transit connections to Caltrain stations visit www.caltrain.com/transitconnections
What Can You Do?
You can use our ridership data to see if you are among those passengers who can be flexible about which trains you ride. Obviously, not all passengers have that flexibility, but some do and there are options. Take a look at the most crowded northbound trains (HERE on page 6) and see if your usual train is on there. If so, can you take another train or even consider the SamTrans ECR ($2, every 15 minutes along El Camino Real). From Palo Alto to San Jose consider VTA 22 and 522.
Bike Car Capacity
The capacity crunch impacts the bike car as well, where seating (bike space) is even tighter. It’s also good to know the differences between Gallery cars and the Bombardier cars, which have different bike capacities. If you don’t have a bike with you, please sit in a regular passenger car. Do you have to bring your bike on board? Can you use the Bay Area Bike Share program? For information about Caltrain and bikes: CLICK HERE. 
Caltrain Capacity Tips
- Stand clear of the train doors until all the departing passengers have gotten OFF the train, then board.
- Keep bags, belongings and feet off the seats so other passengers can sit.
- Please move as far into the car as possible; don’t block steps or the vestibule.
- Let bicyclists sit in the bike car. It’s important for them to keep line of sight on their bikes for safety concerns.
For more information about Caltrain ridership statistics: CLICK HERE.