Caltrain Welcomes First Passengers on New Electric Trains

Caltrain (San Carlos, CA) was joined by federal, state, and local officials, and transportation and business leaders recently to celebrate the inaugural ride on its new Stadler electric trains. After nearly a decade of construction, the agency’s new fleet signifies a landmark shift toward a faster, more frequent, and environmentally friendly public transportation network along the San Francisco Peninsula.

Express service will allow commuters to travel between San Francisco and San Jose in under an hour. The new trains will also increase service by 20 percent due to their ability to accelerate and decelerate much faster than diesel trains. This will enable the agency to reduce noise and air pollution while increasing access and service for equity priority communities by 26 percent. By transitioning from diesel to electric trains, carbon dioxide emissions will be cut by 250,000 metric tons annually—the equivalent to removing 55,000 cars from the road each year.

“The future of California’s rail systems will be powered by clean, renewable energy, and as the Biden-Harris Administration makes the biggest investment in public transit in U.S. history, we were proud to help fund the transformative Caltrain electrification project,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Converting the 51-mile-long rail system from diesel to electric will not only improve service for riders and air quality all along the route, it will also set a standard for other rail systems to follow as we work to reduce carbon pollution across the country.”

The Caltrain Electrification Project has created 33,000 jobs in 36 states, fueling economic growth and innovation within the local communities and nationwide.

“High-speed rail linked to an electrified Caltrain will not just get Californians where they’re going faster, it’s connecting communities and driving economic growth,” said CA Governor Gavin Newsom. “The completed Caltrain project is an integral part of high-speed rail and the story California is telling about clean transportation. We’re making rail real in California.”

“The Federal Railroad Administration joins Secretary Buttigieg and others from the U.S. Department of Transportation in expressing our excitement about the Caltrain electrification project, which will reduce pollution and make rail even more environmentally friendly for future generations,” said FRA Administrator Amit Bose. “This project is a win for riders already utilizing commuter service and lays the groundwork for future high-speed rail service between San Jose and San Francisco and further innovation across the state.”

The new trains offer enhanced amenities, including customer-facing Wi-Fi, new digital onboard displays, power outlets at each forward-facing seat, energy-efficient lighting, an improved climate control system, baby-changing tables in the toilets, security cameras, and expanded storage under the cantilevered seats.

“We are thrilled to see these state-of-the-art electric trains enter service for Caltrain,” said Martin Ritter, CEO of Stadler US Inc. “Since our partnership began in 2017, it has been a pleasure to work with such a forward-thinking organization. Caltrain stands out as a true pioneer in the transit industry, setting a new standard by fully electrifying and modernizing their infrastructure. As the vehicle provider, we are honored to contribute to this significant modernization project.”

Additional trains will be introduced every week until the launch of the new schedule and full electrified service between San Francisco and San Jose on September 21.