This weekend (September 21), Caltrain will introduce all-electric service between San Francisco and San Jose. Along with the new electric trainsets, a new schedule will be implemented to leverage the improved acceleration of the new trains. The new schedules will offer faster and more frequent service on weekdays and weekends. Caltrain began a soft launch of the electric service on August 10, gradually rolling out new trainsets operating under the current diesel-based schedule.

Celebration events are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at various stations along the line (with a special train from Gilroy). Train service and parking will also be free over the weekend.

Schedule finder will have the new electric schedule available on Saturday.

Facts

• Weekday peak hour service remains at 4 trains per hour, the same as the current diesel schedule. Before COVID, Caltrain had 5 peak trains per hour. There are only enough electric trainsets to operate at this level of service, and the current ridership is just under 40% (the lowest recovery of all Bay Area agencies) compared to pre-COVID levels.
• The Baby Bullet express trains, which currently make 6 stops with diesel engines, will make 9 stops with electric trains but will be 7 minutes faster.
• Local trains currently operate hourly with a diesel schedule. Starting September 21, local trains will run every half hour. Limited-stop trains that operate midday on weekdays will be converted to local service, but adding only three minutes to travel time.
• Weekend service will be vastly improved with half hourly service.
• The travel time for local service between San Jose and San Francisco will be reduced by over 20 minutes with the conversion to electric trains.
• The new schedule offers a more balanced service level for all stops, with trains stopping about 30 minutes apart at mid-Peninsula stations like Belmont and Burlingame, and 15 to 30 minutes apart in Santa Clara County.
• Service between Gilroy and San Jose will be operated with diesel trains, as the track is owned by Union Pacific. Diesel trains from Gilroy will terminate in San Jose under the new schedule. Three-minute cross-platform transfers will be provided to electric trains to San Francisco.
• Electric trains offer Wi-Fi and power outlets located under the seats (except flip seats).
• Efforts were made to coordinate transfers between BART and Caltrain at Millbrae, but because BART operates on a 20-minute base frequency (compared to 30 minutes for Caltrain), some transfers will have a longer wait.

Rider tips

• Disabled riders who need assistance to board the train will use a mini-high platform or, if not available, a portable lift. Most stations have mini-high platforms installed.
• There’s only one car on the train with a lavatory, located in the second car from the north (also the ADA car). It’s recommended to use the restroom before boarding the train after attending major events. San Francisco and San Jose Diridon stations have restrooms available.
• Electric trainsets offer 72 bike spots spread between two cars. The bike cars are located in the 3rd and 6th positions from the north. There’s limited seating in the bike area. Some riders with bikes have complained about attempted thefts. Possible deterrent strategies include placing a tracking device or locking the bike between the wheel and frame (locking to the rack is not allowed). BikeLink lockers are also available at many stops.
• Electric trains are longer than diesel trains, and when they’re at the station, they may block the pedestrian crossing in front or behind by continuing to activate the crossing gate. If you need to walk across the tracks to board the train, you should arrive at the station well ahead of time, rather than at the moment the train arrives.