Caltrain will receive Sustainable San Mateo County’s (SSMC) 2025 Sustainability Award at the 26th Annual Sustainability Awards this evening for its historic transition from diesel trains and infrastructure components to a greener, faster, more frequent electric transportation network along the San Francisco Peninsula.
The honor was awarded to Caltrain for its exemplary commitment to delivering environmental, economic and social equity benefits. Additionally, SSMC commended Caltrain for fostering and utilizing partnerships and public engagement efforts to reimagine the region’s transportation system.
Electrification is advancing ambitious regional and state sustainability goals by lowering greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality and relieving traffic congestion. The transition from diesel to electric trains has significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions, comparable to taking tens of thousands of cars off the road annually. Additionally, it has created jobs in 36 states, fueling economic growth and innovation both within the local communities and nationwide. The collaborative effort to manufacture the electric trains and infrastructure underscores a commitment to sustainability and job creation.
“At Caltrain, sustainability is a core value underlying our work across the Peninsula,” said Caltrain Executive Director Michelle Bouchard. “We are honored to be recognized by Sustainable San Mateo County for our electrification project’s impact on furthering the region’s key environmental, economic and equity goals. Electrified service has reinvented our system for generations to come, and we are confident it will continue to serve as a model for other railroad systems across the nation.”
“For the first time in 160 years, this rail corridor is running on 100% zero emission power,” said Caltrain Board Chair Steve Heminger. “This monumental achievement will change millions of lives for the better and is a legacy that all three counties Caltrain serves can be proud of.”
The new high-performance electric trains, unveiled in September 2024, offer a better experience for Caltrain riders while providing better service than ever before. The trains have delivered more service that’s faster to arrive at destinations, as well as a modern fleet that’s quieter and more comfortable while also offering new amenities such as customer-facing Wi-Fi and accessible outlets.
Since the launch of electric service, the agency has reported its best ridership numbers since pre-pandemic. Caltrain saw ridership grow to more than a half million passengers in December 2024, a 41% increase over December 2023, and that growth continued into this year, with January seeing a 51% increase and February seeing a 48% increase over last year.
Caltrain also announced at its monthly Board of Directors meeting in January that regenerative braking on the new trains is generating and sending back to the electric grid approximately 23% of the energy consumed by the system, outperforming Caltrain’s original projections. The first year of electric service is currently on pace to have lower fuel costs than the previous diesel service.
Caltrain is the oldest continuously operated railroad in the West, starting steam train passenger service over 160 years ago when Abraham Lincoln served as President. After 70 years of diesel trains, the Caltrain Electrification Project, with substantial federal and state investment, introduced the new era of electrified service on the corridor.
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About Caltrain: Owned and operated by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, Caltrain provides rail service from San Francisco to San Jose, with commute service to Gilroy. Serving the region since 1863, Caltrain is the oldest continually operating rail system west of the Mississippi and the first railroad to convert from diesel to electric power in a generation.
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Media Contact: Dan Lieberman, 650.622.2492