FAST, FREQUENT SERVICE. ALL DAY, EVERY DAY.
More trains, more often
Improved express service
More People Served
A More Connected Corridor
WHY PLAN A FUTURE SERVICE VISION?
Over the last 15 years, Caltrain’s ridership has more than doubled, and today Caltrain is the 7th largest commuter rail system in the country. We are also the nation’s most efficient commuter railroad as measured by both the percentage of our costs we recover through fares and the number of passengers and train miles we deliver per employee.
We are proud of our success, but we also want to do more. By 2040, regional growth projections show that there will be 1.2 million additional people living and working within 2 miles of our stations—a 40% increase from today. We want to make sure that our service, and our system, is ready. A future service vision provides the roadmap for the railroad to grow—showing us how we can improve the experience of our customers today and meet the needs of our region in the future.
THE DRAFT VISION BENEFITS THE BAY AREA’S PEOPLE, ENVIRONMENT, AND ECONOMY
MORE TRANSPORTATION CAPACITY
Improving Caltrain lets us carry three times more people in 2040. That’s equivalent to selling out the Giants’ ballpark four times every day.
Today, Caltrain carries 4 freeway lanes worth of people during rush hour. The draft vision adds the equivalent capacity of 5.5 new freeway lanes.
Improving Air Quality
Stimulating the Economy
THE DRAFT VISION OUTLINES A PROGRAM OF INVESTMENTS TO SUPPORT EXPANDED SERVICE
Capital Costs
Operating Costs
IMPLEMENTING THE VISION
THE DRAFT VISION LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR EXPANDED REGIONAL SERVICE
GROWING BEYOND OUR VISION
Caltrain is ready for additional investment as planning for expanded Bay Area rail continues. With additional passing tracks and infrastructure, we can expand service from 12 to 16 trains per hour, creating opportunities for even more service and enhanced connectivity to other regional rail corridors.
THE DRAFT VISION IS A SHARED PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR STAKEHOLDERS AND COMMUNITIES
ENGAGING WITH STAKEHOLDERS
The vision planning started in 2017. A collaborative effort led by Caltrain with funding from various partners, the vision is the product of hundreds of hours of meetings with cities, counties, business groups, public agency partners, advocates, and public stakeholders throughout the corridor.
The vision is still a draft recommendation that is being discussed with the public. The Caltrain Board is expected to adopt it as early as October 2019, and staff will complete the Caltrain Business Plan by early 2020.
Letter from Caltrain CEO
Read Caltrain CEO, Jim Hartnett’s Letter on the Service Vision