Caltrain Temporarily Suspends Train Service Between San Jose Diridon and Tamien Stations to Expedite Electrification Project

Caltrain will be suspending some of its train service between San Jose Diridon and Tamien stations on the weekend of December 16-17 to accommodate Caltrain electrification construction. 

During this period, the Southbound 284 departing San Francisco Station at 12:05 a.m. will terminate at San Jose Diridon Station at 1:44 a.m. On Sunday, December 17, the Northbound 221 will depart San Jose Diridon Station at 7:19 a.m., arriving at San Francisco Station at 8:56 a.m. 

Free VTA bus service will replace service for those trains between San Jose and Tamien stations. For information, including bus schedules and bus stop locations, visit www.caltrain.com/status.   

Caltrain’s historic Electrification Project is the first undertaking in North America in a generation in which diesel trains and their infrastructure components are transitioned to an electrified system. Electrification means faster and more frequent service, including doubling the frequency on weekends. The passenger experience will be greatly improved as well with the new trains featuring wi-fi, power outlets at every seat, onboard displays with digital trip information, increased storage capacities.  

Electrification will also help meet ambitious regional and state climate action goals by lowering greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality and relieving traffic congestion. Additionally, electrified service will advance equity along the corridor by reducing noise and air pollution while increasing access for priority equity communities. It will also set the framework for California’s future High Speed Rail network that will run on the Caltrain corridor.  

The proposed Electrification service plan would see weekday peak hour trains go to 79 stations per hour, an increase from the current 66. Eleven stations would experience four train arrivals hourly per direction, a notable improvement from seven stations currently. Midday trains would cover 44 stations per hour, up from 34 today. 

Caltrain recently began offering four new fare promotions, offering discounts for families, groups, youth and hybrid workers. Additionally, parking at Caltrain stations is 50% off, costing only $2.75 to park for the day.   

###

About Caltrain: Owned and operated by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, Caltrain provides rail service from San Francisco to San Jose, with commute service to Gilroy. Serving the region since 1863, Caltrain is the oldest continually operating rail system west of the Mississippi. Looking to the future, Caltrain is set to electrify the corridor by 2024, which will reduce diesel emissions and add more service to more stations while advancing the agency’s equity goals. 

Editor’s Note: Electric Train Photos available here

Like us on Facebook at www.caltrain.com and follow on X @Caltrain

Free translation assistance is available.  

Para traducción llama al 1.800.660.4287; 如需翻譯,請電 1.800.660.4287. 

Media Contact: Dan Lieberman, 650.622.2492