SACRAMENTO – Ridership on California’s first fully electric rail system has surged to pre-pandemic levels since launching electric service in September 2024, backed by state dollars.
Caltrain, the oldest continuously operated railroad in California, saw ridership grow by more than half a million passengers in December 2024 – a 41% increase year-over-year. This trend continued into 2025 with significant ridership growth in January and February.
“California’s commitment to building sustainable transportation corridors is already paying dividends as more travelers 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.”
Governor Gavin Newsom and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi on the newly electrified Caltrain at the agency’s ribbon cutting event in August 2024.…