Caltrain's move to electrify has paid off with a significant surge in ridership numbers, showing the highest count of commuters since the pandemic hit. According to data released by Caltrain, over 753,000 passengers took the trains last month, a stunning 54% jump compared to the figures from October 2023. It seems that the allure of a cleaner and quicker commute is resonating with Bay Area residents, with weekday averages hitting almost 27,000 travelers, up 38% from the previous year, Caltrain reported.
It's not just the weekday hustle that's seeing more foot traffic. The weekends have been bustling with activity and sporting increases that would make any transit authority envious. Saturdays are boasting a 169% rise, while Sundays aren't far behind at a 142% increase from October last year. These figures represent a substantial leap from when diesel-powered locomotives were the norm. From August to October, when the service transitioned to being all-electric, there's been a 17% increase in total ridership, with weekends witnessing a growth of 38%.
Caltrain Executive Director Michelle Bouchard encapsulates this milestone as per Caltrain: “When we broke ground on the Electrification Project back in 2017, we set out to deliver a state-of-the-art modern rail system for the people we serve,” she said. “It is immensely gratifying to see our riders embrace our new service on this scale. If you haven't experienced the future of transportation for yourself yet, find out what everyone has been talking about.” With this success, Caltrain beckons those who have not joined this modern commute.
