South San Francisco City
Council
September 11, 2024
Caltrain
Electrification +
City Partnerships
Caltrain Context
• 77 miles of track from end to end
• 31 stations
• Bi-directional commute
• 41 at-grade crossings
• Financial Challenges
• Pre-pandemic 73% farebox recovery (nation
leading)
• Today: 23% farebox recovery (facing upcoming
average $77M annual deficit)
2 Ridership Growth / Cost Containment
• Board Adopted Equity, Growth, and Recovery Policy
• Revised schedule: Standardize, focused on more midday, evening and weekend service (diversify ridership)
• Regional Coordination: Coordinated transfers, better signage Millbrae, GM group, Bay Pass participation, Clipper Start, fare integration • City Partnerships and toolkit: www.caltrain.com/citypartnership • Pass Forward Program: Bringing in new riders by providing free passes for lowincome and equity priority community riders • Customer Experience/Fare Changes: $1 youth pass; 300 new bicycle eLockers, new ticket options, new visual display signs being installed, station work, positive brand recognition
• Cost Containment: Smaller trainsets, scheduling efficiencies, reduced overtime, internal efficiency programs
• Electrification Planned September 21, 2024
Transformational Moment
Caltrain is the oldest continuously operating passenger railroad in the West (160 years) Steam 1864 Diesel 1950s Electric 2024
7 First time in a generation any US system fully converted from diesel to electric system INSTRUCT IONS Key Milestones
Complete: • Foundations (3,000+) • Poles (2,500+) • Traction Power Facilities (10) • Overhead Wire (2.5 million feet) • Upgraded the Signal System San Francisco to San Jose (31 at grade crossings)
• 12 trainsets delivered (more coming) • Over 1,000 First Responders Trained • Soft Launch (August 2024) Upcoming: • Additional trainsets and testing (Throughout 2024) • Fully Electric Passenger Service: September 21, 2024 5 Public Train Tours – 12,000 People
(San Jose, San Francisco; San Carlos)
7 Electrified Service Plan Benefits
Express from SF to SJ
in under an hour
Quicker local service,
77 minutes instead of
100
Save more than 20
minutes on trips from
Southern Santa Clara
County to SF
Ride More, Wait Less First Class for Everyone Clean and Green Schedule at caltrain.com/go
7 Improves local air quality
Quieter trains, both
onboard and off
Free Wi-Fi
Smoother, quieter
experience
Outlets at every seat
Digital trip information
onboard
Spacious, accessible
bathrooms
20% more train service
26% more train service at
equity priority stations
Half-hourly service during
weekends and off-peak
Get There Faster
Electrified Service Plan
South San Francisco
8 Weekday Schedule: www.caltrain.com/media/33909
Weekend Schedule: www.caltrain.com/media/33908
City Fact Sheets
www.caltrain.com/servicebenefits
Public Outreach Safety Campaign
• Community Meetings
• Residential Mailers
• Onboard Outreach
• School Campaign
• Public Service
Announcements
• Right-of-way outreach
Safety Video at
caltrain.com/safety Right-of-Way Flyer Residential Mailer 10 11
• Main Events:
o Palo Alto Station Sept
21 2pm - 6pm
o San Mateo Station Sept
22 2pm - 6pm
• Additional events at every
city along the corridor
• 100% Electric fleet from San
Francisco to San Jose
• Faster, More Frequent
Schedule
• Free Caltrain Rides
Celebrations - September 21 & 22
www.caltrain.com/launchparty
South San Francisco Station, Saturday, Sept. 20 from 9am-10am •Karyl Matsumoto Plaza Dedication
•Erik Jekabson Jazz Quintet
City Partnership/Toolkit
Vital Role of
Caltrain-City
Partnerships
The ability of Caltrain to sustain
and expand service will depend in
large part on cities actively
supporting expansion of ridership
to groups beyond Caltrain’s
traditional core riders.
Caltrain-City Partnership Toolkit
In partnership we can increase transit ridership and:
● Reduce traffic and parking demand
● Support downtown recovery (vibrancy and tax revenues) ● Improve employee recruitment and retention
● Incentivize workers to return to the office
● Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
● More Info at: caltrain.com/citypartnership
Creating vibrant, diverse, people-centered communities where people gather, work and connect
14 ● City Worker Go Passes
● Transportation Demand Management
● Development Agreements
● Local Ordinances
● Transportation Management
Association
● Station Access
● Parking Management
● Transit Oriented Development
Partnership
Models
15