The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has just named Caltrain the nation’s Outstanding Public Transportation System, with Board Chair Rico Medina and Executive Director Michelle Bouchard accepting the prestigious award today in Chicago on behalf of the agency. APTA recognized Caltrain for demonstrating superior achievement in ridership growth, safety, operational and maintenance efficiency, financial management and exceptional customer experience — the highest honor a public transit system in North America can receive.
Caltrain entered the competition for the award this year as a strong contender with many achievements, including:
- Having the fastest-growing transit ridership in the United States in 2025, with a 57% year-over-year ridership growth.
- Transitioning mainline service from diesel power to 100% renewable green electricity.
- Seeing improved ratings, with the customer experience being rated 4.5-out-of-5 and the agency having a 91% approval rating among riders.
- Achieving over $76 million in cost savings, approximately seven percent of the agency’s operating budget over the last five years
- Receiving honors for safety, sustainability, construction and mental health, among others
“There is no greater honor a transit agency can receive than being named Outstanding Public Transportation System,” said Caltrain Executive Director Michelle Bouchard. “This is a testament to the hundreds of people who put in work every day to keep our railroad running. We have achieved something great together, and our riders and the communities we serve will benefit from it for decades to come.”
“Electrifying Caltrain has given the people of the Peninsula an easy, affordable and convenient means of getting where they need to go,” said Caltrain Board Chair Rico E. Medina. “Having green-powered transit available every half-hour connecting to some of the most exciting and economically vibrant cities in the world has made the peninsula an even better place to live, and we couldn’t be prouder of that accomplishment.”
“Thanks to its reinvented service, Caltrain is bringing more people on board every day,” said Caltrain Board Vice Chair Pat Burt. “This national recognition is yet more proof that our investment in this railroad was worthwhile, and we will continue to serve the millions of people who rely on us to get them where they need to go.”
Caltrain received additional honors at APTA’s TRANSform and Expo. The rail agency was given a Certificate of Merit in Rail Safety Award, following up on the Rail Safety Gold Award it received in 2025. Caltrain also received a National AdWheel award for Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership or Sales for the Driving is for Dodgers Fans campaign.
Since the launch of electrified service, Caltrain has provided cleaner air for communities along the corridor and faster, more frequent service for riders throughout the San Francisco Peninsula with a state-of-the-art electric fleet featuring modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi, power outlets, baby changing tables in the bathroom and much more. A recent customer survey show record high satisfaction levels among Caltrain riders and Caltrain’s ridership continues to break records.
Those gains come as Caltrain, like transit agencies across the Bay Area, faces a structural operating deficit as remote and hybrid work continue to reshape commuting. Caltrain has responded on three fronts: cutting costs, generating new revenue from advertising, property, and other assets, and adapting its service to attract new riders. Despite Caltrain cutting $76 million in costs over the last five years, the increase in ridership and fare revenue is insufficient to close the funding gap, and additional external funding is needed to maintain current levels of service.
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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 and the first railroad to convert from diesel to electric power in a generation.
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