As the Bay Area prepares for changes in its transportation landscape, Caltrain has announced an updated weekday schedule set to take effect on September 25. Designed to align with the new BART schedule at Millbrae and provide enhanced services for passengers, this development promises to significantly impact the daily lives of thousands of commuters in the region. The updated schedule aims to ensure faster local trains during the evening, extended service to Gilroy, and temporary service adjustments to accommodate ongoing infrastructure projects, as per Caltrain.
One of the crucial aspects of this new schedule is the improved alignment with BART’s schedule changes, effective September 11 at Millbrae. This transition aims to minimize the inconvenience caused by transfers between the two systems, providing seamless connectivity for travelers who rely on both Caltrain and BART, according to Caltrain news. Furthermore, enhanced runtimes are expected on evening local trains, which will benefit those traveling during the busy evening hours.
Responding to feedback gathered from the South County Survey conducted in June, Caltrain is also expanding its service to Gilroy by adding a fourth daily round trip on weekdays. The morning Train 305 will originate from Gilroy Station at 7:29 a.m., making stops at all stations between Gilroy and San Jose Diridon. The afternoon Trains 308 and 410 will arrive at Gilroy at designated times, stopping at stations between San Jose Diridon and Gilroy.
Caltrain passengers must be aware that several trains on the new schedule will temporarily bypass Tamien Station to accommodate the Guadalupe Bridge Rehabilitation Project.
Beyond schedule alterations, Caltrain has also introduced parking discounts and four new fare promotions targeting families, groups, youth, and hybrid workers. With parking costs at stations reduced by 50%, the affordability of using Caltrain as a daily commuting option has been significantly enhanced, which may attract even more passengers to join the train-using community.
Caltrain's efforts for a smoother transportation experience do not come without temporary challenges. The railway service will undergo temporary weekend service shutdowns for the remainder of 2023 to facilitate essential Caltrain Electrification construction and testing.
