All Aboard on Caltrain Electrification

The Caltrain Board of Directors drove the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project forward this week by approving $1.25 billion in contracts to begin design and construction of the electrification infrastructure as well as the manufacture of high-performance electric trains. The modernization project will double available capacity in response to skyrocketing ridership growth, serve stations more frequently, and reduce travel time.  It will also restore weekday service to Atherton, drastically reduce diesel noise, pollution, and daily traffic congestion on Highway 101 and local streets, and lay the groundwork for the future high speed rail service.

The Bay Area Council has led the charge to electrify and upgrade Caltrain, which serves one of the country’s most economically productive corridors linking San Francisco and San Jose through Silicon Valley. The contracts are now waiting on the completion of a funding agreement with the Federal Transit Administration in order to proceed, and Council will continue to advocate for the necessary funding to keep this project rolling forward.

See Bay Area Council President & CEO Jim Wundermanand community partners talk about the benefits of Caltrain modernization HERE:

To engage in the Council’s transportation policy work, contact Senior Vice President of Public Policy Michael Cunningham.