|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Caltrain is suspending service between San Francisco and San Jose on June 8 and 9 to test its new electric trains that will begin service this fall. This is the last in a series of 29 weekend service shutdowns that Caltrain has conducted to support train testing.
“This will be the first test where eight electric trains are running simultaneously, as they will be when service launches,” said Caltrain spokesperson Dan Lieberman. “This will mean the test trains will be moving throughout the corridor, which would have not been possible on top of our regular service.”
Lieberman said that Caltrain is targeting Sept. 21 to start electrified train service.
“This will be the final weekend suspension, provided the testing is successful,” said Lieberman.
Limited bus bridge service will be provided by Caltrain, only at the San Jose Diridon, Palo Alto and Millbrae stations. There will be no stops between these services and no service north of Millbrae. The buses will have limited passenger capacity and limited space available for bikes.
Riders using the bus bridge option will not be required to pay for the service, however fares are still required for BART, SamTrans, VTA and other connecting transit services.
Caltrain encourages riders to seek alternative transit options. Learn more about the bus bridge service and see a list of alternative transportation options at caltrain.com/status.
New electric trains
Electric trains will be faster, cleaner, quieter, cheaper and more efficient than the current diesel locomotives in service, according to Caltrain. Caltrain will initially replace 75% of the diesel fleet with the new electric trains, and will replace the remaining 25% once funding becomes available and the diesel trains reach the end of their service life.
In April, Caltrain broke its post-quarantine ridership record with over 577,000 riders using the service.
The total budget for the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project is $2.44 billion. According to a March 2024 report from Caltrain, the project is currently on target to come in on budget.