As part of the Caltrain Modernization (CalMod) Program, Caltrain recently placed the first EMU (electric multiple-unit) trainset from Stadler Rail on the 25KV-electrified test track at the builder’s Salt Lake City manufacturing facility.
According to a report in The Daily Journal, Caltrain officials are projecting a long road to recovery from the financial blow dealt by COVID-19, and recently even floated the possibility of a system-wide shutdown if new revenue sources are not secured—even after the economy is reopened.
Commuter railroad Caltrain recently released its draft Service Vision for the next 20-plus years of service on the line. Under the vision recommended by Caltrain’s staff, “fast and frequent service would be the standard on the line.”
Proposals for a second rail tunnel beneath San Francisco Bay were discussed at a meeting of the Bay Area Rapid Transit board of directors on November 15.
Greening efforts by a California rail agency and bus operator have been noticed by a major transit advocacy group.
The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (JPB), which manages Caltrain, has authorized execution of an agreement with Stanford University to help further the development of the Caltrain Business Plan.
Caltrain is trading long-delayed CBOSS for conventional PTC on its commuter rail corridor between San Francisco and San Jose.
California Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the statewide transportation funding legislation signed into law in 2017, is now providing Caltrain with funding necessary to continue work on Caltrain Electrification, a key component of the Caltrain Modernization Program (CalMod) to electrify the Caltrain corridor from San Francisco’s 4th and King Station to approximately the Tamien Station in San Jose, and convert diesel-hauled trains to EMUs (electric multiple units).
Railhead Corporation, Alsip, Ill., is supplying Caltrain with new Inward Cab cameras, microphones and 4TB storage modules, an upgrade program to be completed by the first quarter of 2018.
California Gov. Jerry Brown on Oct. 10 signed a state senate bill authorizing Caltrain to place a local sales tax measure on the upcoming November election ballot. If passed, the sales tax, which would be a maximum of one-eighth of one cent (0.125 cents), will provide Caltrain, which provides regional/commuter rail service between San Francisco and San Jose, a dedicated funding source.