The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Ridership on Northern California’s Caltrain system was up by 41 percent from the prior year in December 2024, according to a press release from Governor Gavin Newsom’s office. Additionally, Caltrain says the system is generating and sending even more energy than expected back to the electric grid.
Caltrain launched its fully electrified (minus a segment south to Gilroy) rail system in September 2024. “Caltrain’s electrification was made possible by successful state and local partnerships, combining $714 million from the High-Speed Rail Authority with $1.7 billion from local, federal, and other state sources, including $387 million from the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP).”
The rise in ridership is attributed in part to the increased reliability of the electric trains, according to a Mercury News article. Caltrain spokesperson Dan Lieberman told the Mercury News, “It’s faster than ever before, running more service than ever before, and there’s more frequency, so there are fewer wait times.”
FULL STORY: Ridership for this critical train line is surging thanks to California’s investments in rail
Caltrain Ridership Up 54 Percent Over October 2023
The system made the switch to faster, more modern all-electric trains in September.
Which US Rail Agencies Are Buying Zero-Emissions Trains?
U.S. rail agencies are slowly making the shift to zero-emissions trains, which can travel longer distances without refueling and reduce air pollution.
South Florida Commuter Rail Tops Pre-Pandemic Ridership
The Tri-Rail service connects Miami to Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The 120 Year Old Tiny Home Villages That Sheltered San Francisco’s Earthquake Refugees
More than a century ago, San Francisco mobilized to house thousands of residents displaced by the 1906 earthquake. Could their strategy offer a model for the present?
In Both Crashes and Crime, Public Transportation is Far Safer than Driving
Contrary to popular assumptions, public transportation has far lower crash and crime rates than automobile travel. For safer communities, improve and encourage transit travel.
Report: Zoning Reforms Should Complement Nashville’s Ambitious Transit Plan
Without reform, restrictive zoning codes will limit the impact of the city’s planned transit expansion and could exclude some of the residents who depend on transit the most.
Judge Orders Release of Frozen IRA, IIJA Funding
The decision is a victory for environmental groups who charged that freezing funds for critical infrastructure and disaster response programs caused “real and irreparable harm” to communities.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Clanton & Associates, Inc.
Jessamine County Fiscal Court
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service