Caltrain Suspends Some Train Service to Expedite Electrification Project

Caltrain

SAN FRANCISCO –Caltrain announced this week that theywill suspend some service to help move the electrification project forward.

Caltrain will be suspending its service between San Francisco and Millbrae Stations on the weekends of August 12-13, 19-20 and 26-27 in order to accommodate Caltrain electrification construction and testing. Crews will install and test the signal system in San Francisco and continue to erect poles and hang wires for the overhead catenary system (OCS).  

Caltrain encourages riders to seek alternative transit options. Bus bridge service will be available to Caltrain-dependent riders, but passengers should expect delays and longer travel times.   

These will be the 17th through 19th of approximately 30 weekends in 2023 in which service will be adjusted to accommodate construction and testing for electrified service, which is expected to launch passenger service in fall 2024. Thus far, construction crews have installed 66 poles this year along with over 557,831 feet of wire and 1,068 cantilevers and drop tubes. 

Caltrain is running a public awareness campaign throughout the year to alert riders to potential service disruptions and provide information about the new and improved service that electrification will deliver. 

Caltrain’s historic electrification project is the first undertaking in North America in a generation in which diesel trains and their infrastructure components are transitioned to an electrified system. The project will improve the customer experience by increasing the number of trains, modernizing service and adding new safety elements. The new trains will feature on board displays with digital trip information, increased storage capacities, baby-changing tables, Wi-Fi and power outlets at every seat. Electrification will also help meet ambitious regional and state climate action goals by lowering greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality and relieving traffic congestion. Additionally, electrified service will advance equity along the corridor by reducing noise and air pollution while increasing access for priority equity communities. It will also set the framework for California’s future High Speed Rail network that will run on the Caltrain corridor.  

Image courtesy of Caltrain