Newly released data has demonstrated that ridership numbers on Caltrain have risen substantially since the launch of its electric train service in September 2024.

The service, which operates between San Francisco and San Jose, recorded a 41% year-on-year increase in ridership in December, amounting to more than 500,000 additional journeys. This growth has since continued into early 2025.

The rise in passenger numbers follows major investments at local, state, and federal levels to electrify the service. The project forms part of a broader plan by Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration to expand sustainable transport options across California.

California’s commitment to building sustainable transportation corridors is already paying dividends as more travellers in the Bay Area are choosing electric trains to arrive at their destinations faster and cleaner. Caltrain is providing our state with a proof-of-concept in real time — demonstrating that efficient, affordable, and convenient mobility can be achieved as we clean our air and move away from fossil fuels.

The electrification project was supported by a funding package that included 714 million USD from the California High-Speed Rail Authority and a further 1.7 billion USD from other sources, including the state’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program.

The new electric trains have already demonstrated operational efficiencies. Caltrain reports that the fleet is returning more energy to the grid than initially projected — 23% above expectations — which is expected to reduce electricity costs over time. The switch from diesel to electric traction is already anticipated to lower fuel expenses.

The Caltrain service is expected to eventually integrate with the California High-Speed Rail project, which will connect Northern and Southern California via the Central Valley. The high-speed rail initiative, currently under construction, is the largest infrastructure project underway in the United States.

Our $714 million investment in Caltrain’s Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project underscores the Authority’s leadership and commitment to delivering real results for Californians. By contributing nearly 40% of the total project cost, we’re not only accelerating cleaner, more efficient rail service on the Peninsula — we’re also laying the groundwork for future high-speed rail along this corridor.