Modernization
How Caltrain
Will Meet Growing
Demand
Caltrain continues to see increased ridership.
The $2 billion CalMod Program will create the
potential for its service to grow to meet the
region’s long-term demands.
By Leah Harnack
S
AN FRANCISCO IS THE MOST DENSELY POPULATED
county in California and serves as the region’s largest job
center, bringing in 150,000 employees each day, according
to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
Th e commuter rail line connecting San Francisco to
the Silicon Valley is Caltrain, a joint powers authority put
together by three counties: San Mateo, Santa Clara and
San Francisco.
Th e passenger rail service started when Abraham Lincoln
was in offi ce and while it certainly has changed over
time, Caltrain Executive Director Jim Hartnett joked it has been
put together with Band-Aids to keep it together.
More on the creation of Caltrain MassTransitmag.com/12412869
HARTNETT
SAID Caltrain
provides more
bike ridership
than anybody
in the country
and their new
EMUs will
have increased
capacity for
bike cars.
Photos by Caltrain
12 | Mass Transit | MassTransitmag.com | JUNE 2018
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