Tag Archives: Caltrain

Bay Area

Caltrain cancels mobile app

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October 31 is the last day the Caltrain mobile app can be used to pay for train fares and parking at Caltrain stations. After that date, the app will no longer operate because the contract between Caltrain and the app provider will expire and not be renewed for several reasons.

One major reason for the non-renewal is that, as part of an agreement with MTC to support Clipper 2.0, individual transit agencies must discontinue separate ticketing apps that compete with Clipper. The new version of Clipper will offer features such as tap-and-ride with contactless debit and credit cards, recently implemented by BART, as well as transfer discounts between transit agencies. However, the Clipper 2.0 project has been delayed overall.

Even with Clipper 2.0, some features of the old app will not be replicated, such as the ability to purchase tickets for groups—including families—especially those eligible for discount categories like youth, seniors, and people with disabilities. Riders in these categories must apply for a personalized discounted Clipper card to receive discounts on Clipper; otherwise, discounts will not apply, though they can still board buses or Caltrain and pay discounted fares. Without the app or Clipper, these riders can purchase discounted paper tickets from ticket vending machines at stations.

The app has also been used for parking payments at Caltrain stations. Starting in November, parking payments at Caltrain stations can be made with the ParkMobile App or by paying at a ticket vending machine.

Bay Area

BART to adjust schedules on Aug 11 to improve transfers

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On Monday, August 11, BART will implement minor schedule changes to improve transfers with connecting transit systems. While the basic frequencies remain largely the same, the times have shifted. With the new schedules, connection times between mainline trains and DMU eBART at Pittsburg/Bay Point will be reduced, and connections at Millbrae with Caltrain will be more reliable.

This is one of several initiatives BART and other agencies have undertaken to boost ridership in the post-COVID era. Although coordinated schedules between transit agencies are highly desirable, it takes months of staff work to share draft schedules and collaborate with labor groups to ensure all changes occur on the same weekend.

Strongly advocated by rider interest groups like Seamless Bay Area, coordinating schedules is one of the most cost-effective ways to boost transit ridership with minimal costs, as it doesn’t necessarily require additional operating resources. It significantly reduces wait times and overall travel time for riders.

Bay Area

Fare hikes in the Bay Area starting July 1

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Facing budget difficulties in the upcoming fiscal year, three Bay Area agencies will be raising fares on July 1. Agencies include Muni in San Francisco, AC Transit in the East Bay, and Caltrain.

For the last several years, Muni, AC Transit, and Caltrain held off fare hikes due to the pandemic relief funds and the desire of maintaining ridership after a sharp decline since the pandemic social distancing restrictions. For Muni, this is the second phase of fare hike post-COVID since the first phase in January. Meanwhile, BART has been raising fares for the last few years as part of long standing policy.

In addition to budgetary needs, many agencies find fares necessary to improve public safety onboard transit. Rather than skipping fares, Bay Area agencies encourage low-income riders to participate in the Clipper Start program, where qualified riders receive a 50% discount on regular adult one-way fares across the Bay Area.

Bay Area

Caltrain to suspend electric rail service to Tamien for bridge replacement

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Beginning Monday, June 16, Caltrain will suspend electric train service for about 8 months between San Jose Diridon and Tamien stations to replace a rail bridge over the Guadalupe River. During this time, a free bus bridge will be available between San Jose Diridon and Tamien. Diesel train service to and from Gilroy will remain unaffected, with these trains stopping at Tamien Station during weekday commute hours.

Caltrain will replace one of the bridges spanning the Guadalupe Creek, originally constructed in 1935. Due to its location over a waterway, the project required complex coordination with various governmental agencies and must be completed during the summer dry season. Caltrain built an adjacent concrete bridge in 1992 and recently finished lengthening it before starting the electric train service as part of the replacement project.

Bay Area, service updates

VTA workers to go on strike

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According to ATU Local 265, which represents many VTA frontline positions, the union will go on strike starting Monday, March 10. All VTA services will be unavailable except for Access Paratransit. The agency and the union are at an impasse over wage increases and other issues.

VTA advises transit riders to seek alternatives.

Options:

Microtransit:

Other transit and shuttle providers:

Other agencies that use VTA owned transit centers may have to be relocated because of the strike.

Other mobility:

  • Bay Wheels bike share – Downtown San Jose
  • Scooter share – Downtown San Jose
  • Employee shuttles for select employers

The strike will impact riders, most of whom have few, if any, options and no role in the labor negotiations. Even if the strike eventually resolves, if it forces a rider to purchase a car, that rider is unlikely to return once the strike is over. The strike may increase traffic, particularly around schools, since they are still in session. More parents are likely to pick up and drop off their children by car if VTA is no longer an option.