Balancing Rail Passengers, Freight, and Sustainability

As Caltrain plans to electrify its San Francisco to San Jose corridor in order to meet high-speed rail needs, it will cut the hours of service that freight railroads may operate from 15 hours down to 5 hours per day. Additionally, height restrictions on the right of way, and overhead wires from the electrification, would prevent 40 percent of freight cars from using the railroad, San Jose Mercury News reports.

The Peninsula Freight Rail Users Group, a group representing 24 freight shippers, is pushing back. They indicate that the proposed restrictions on freight rail would lead to an increase in cargo being shipped via truck, resulting in more traffic and greenhouse gas emissions.