Caltrain and the City of South San Francisco, along with federal, state and local elected officials, celebrated the completion of the South San Francisco Station Improvement Project with a ribbon-cutting event today.
Caltrain, in cooperation with the City of South San Francisco, began construction on the South San Francisco Station Improvement Project in 2017. With funding from the San Mateo County Transportation Authority, City of South San Francisco, and Federal Transit Administration, the $96.6 million project built a fully accessible station with a center-boarding platform, allowing riders to seamlessly move between platforms.
The modernized station provides updated amenities, improves Caltrain efficiency, and lays the foundation for Caltrain electrification that will run faster, cleaner, and quieter service. A new pedestrian and bicycle underpass enhances east-west connection; while the overall design integrates the station into the fabric of Downtown South San Francisco to better serve the community.
“I was raised in this great community, and this station represents a shot in the arm for both its vibrant downtown and growing job centers,” said Congresswoman Jackie Speier. “Let’s celebrate the partnership between our transit agencies, cities and elected officials and that we were able to raise the funds and build this 21st century station that’s safe and accessible.”
“It’s always exciting to see a project like this come to fruition, but this one is particularly special since the need for station improvements were discussed extensively while I was serving on the South San Francisco City Council,” said Assemblymember Kevin Mullin. “The upgrades and amenities are tremendous, create a safer environment, and are a game changer for commuters and anyone who wants to take Caltrain from this location. With the pedestrian underpass and the completion of the downtown plaza, the accessibility to and from downtown South San Francisco will open a whole new world for riders and businesses alike. It’s definitely a win-win.”
“The enhancements made to this Caltrain station are a game changer for South San Francisco residents and visitors in terms of connectivity and walkability,” said South San Francisco Mayor Mark Nagales. “The pedestrian and rider experience are unlike anyone has ever seen at the South San Francisco Station. I am thrilled to see the outcome of this project.”
“For those of us that remember what this station was then and is now, we understand why this is such a great day,” said Rico E. Medina, Chair of the TA Board of Directors and San Bruno Mayor. “It is incumbent upon us to take a piece of 19th century infrastructure and bring it into the 21st by integrating it into the surrounding community.”
“Improving stations, such as the South San Francisco Station Improvement Project, is all part of Caltrain’s long term goals, especially given all the great development happening in this city,” said Charles Stone, Vice Chair of the Caltrain Board of Directors and Belmont City Councilmember. “As a long-time Caltrain passenger and advocate for more public transportation, increasing the number of trains and frequency of service has been one of my goals as a public servant, in addition to making station access safer, and more accessible for riders.”
“The completion of this project is truly historic,” said Karyl Matsumoto, former South San Francisco Mayor and San Mateo County Transportation Authority Board Chair. “We have officially moved from a train stop to a bona fide train station for our community and riders.”
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About Caltrain: Owned and operated by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, Caltrain provides commuter rail service from San Francisco to San Jose, with commute service to Gilroy. While the Joint Powers Board assumed operating responsibilities for the service in 1992, the railroad celebrated 150 years of continuous passenger service in 2014. Planning for the next 150 years of Peninsula rail service, Caltrain is on pace to electrify the corridor, reduce diesel emissions by 97 percent by 2040 and add more service to more stations.
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Media Contact: Dan Lieberman, 650.622.2492