“First Electric service train has departed, these were the bold explorers who ventured with us,” Caltrain reported on social media platform X at 10:20 a.m. on Aug. 11. (Caltrain Photograph)

Caltrain Welcomes First EMU Riders

Ahead of next month’s launch of fully electrified service between San Francisco and San Jose, Calif., Caltrain on Aug. 11 began a phased roll-out of its Stadler Rail-built KISS bilevel EMUs (electric

Discuss Impacts of Rail Tech at Women in Rail 2024

Technology is always in flux, but the Railway Age/RT&S Women in Rail Conference will keep you in the know when it comes to the latest innovations pushing our industry forward. ExploreAI and machine learning benefits,

Transit Briefs: MARTA, Metro Transit, MBTA/Keolis, Caltrain

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is honored with the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Outstanding Public Transportation System Award. Also, Metro Transit’s Mall of America transit station gets a $25 million facelift; dispatching responsibilities for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) South Coast Rail territory will now be performed by Keolis Commuter Services; and Caltrain lowers fares for youth riders.

Transit Briefs: WMATA, Caltrain, Amtrak

Auto doors are now operating on all of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) rail lines. Also, Caltrain is offering customized service alerts; and Amtrak increases Northeast Regional service at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), improves Ethan Allen Express with faster trips, and announces that Borealis ridership has topped 18,500 in its first full month of service.

Transit Briefs: OC Transpo, UTA, Detroit People Mover/TTC, Caltrain

OC Transpo provides a progress update on all three O-Train extensions and an overview of efforts under way to improve the service reliability of O-Train Line 1. Also, the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) plans to extend FrontRunner train service to Payson; the Detroit People Mover will receive new railcars from the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC); and Caltrain runs eight trains simultaneously on its newly completed corridor.

Caltrain on May 11 held the third public tour of its new EMUs, which are scheduled to begin revenue service this September. (Caltrain Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Caltrain, CTA, Colorado

California’s Caltrain welcomes thousands to the third public tour of its new Stadler-built KISS bilevel EMUs (electric multiple-units). Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) marks the highest ridership week of 2024; and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signs multiple transit-related bills into law, including one to advance Front Range Passenger Rail.

Transbay Joint Powers Authority is leading The Portal project, which is slated to bring Caltrain, and potentially the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s system, to San Francisco’s Salesforce Transit Center. (Transbay Joint Powers Authority Rendering)

Report: The Portal Project Advances in California

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has committed $3.38 billion to The Portal Project, bringing Caltrain commuter rail to San Francisco’s Salesforce Transit Center, the San Francisco Examiner reported May 11. The Transbay

The Portal North Bridge crossing the Hackensack River in the New Jersey Meadowlands is 50% complete, NJT and Amtrak reported May 13. (Photo Credit: Amtrak/Marc Glucksman and William Kyle Anderson)

Transit Briefs: NJT/Amtrak, MBTA, Caltrain, Brightline

New Jersey Transit (NJT) and Amtrak’s Portal North Bridge project on the Northeast Corridor is 50% complete. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) advances Red Line track work, removing 13 speed restrictions; Caltrain launches Bay Area transit “discord server”; and Assured Guaranty Municipal Corporation insures $1.134 billion of bonds for Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad.

Caltrain is shipping 32 of its nearly 40-year-old Nippon Sharyo gallery cars (pictured) for storage in Petaluma, Calif., where they will await a buyer. The transit agency, which had not recently used the cars in revenue service, is making room for its new electric fleet from Stadler, slated to start running this fall. (Caltrain Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Caltrain, Denver RTD, KC Streetcar

California’s Caltrain retires 32 gallery cars to make room for its new electric fleet. Also, Denver (Colo.) Regional Transportation District (RTD) kicks off a customer service pilot program; and Missouri’s Kansas City (KC) Streetcar Authority releases the results of its 2023 rider satisfaction survey.

(Metrolinx)

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, Caltrain

Metrolinx updates its bike policy. Also, Caltrain explores options for a new headquarters.

LOAD MORE