Caltrain Releases Annual Progress Report

Caltrain recently released “Keeping the Focus,” its progress report for 2008, and the news is optimistic. For the third year in a row, the commuter railroad posted record-breaking ridership and recorded the highest annual ridership in the railroad’s 145-year history.

In Fiscal Year 2008, Caltrain carried nearly 12 million riders, up 8.6 percent from the previous year. Revenue was $40.1 million, up 15.1 percent from FY07. Some new riders were seeking relief from high gas prices, but some were attracted to Caltrain’s Baby Bullet express service. Since the service was introduced in 2004, ridership has increased 48 percent.

The report also celebrates the completion of two important infrastructure improvements. Caltrain received the Transit Project of the Year award from the California Transportation Foundation for its new San Jose maintenance facility. And, a multi-million dollar project to improve the Burlingame station was completed in June.

Another project to improve the Palo Alto and California Avenue stations is currently underway. Work is scheduled to begin next year on an improvement project at the Santa Clara and San Jose stations.

Keeping the focus on the future, Caltrain plans to electrify the railroad by 2015. Not only will electrification reduce emissions, it also will allow Caltrain to offer more frequent service - a win-win for riders and the environment.

To download the Caltrain Progress Report, click HERE or call 650.508.6446 (TTY 650-508-6448) for a copy to be mailed to you.

11/06/2008 - crd
Media Contact: Christine Dunn, 650.508.6238