Caltrain ridership increases

Caltrain has occasionally suspended weekend services for Caltrain electrification, a disruption that will electrify Caltrain stations from San Francisco down to San Jose, increasing service to six trains in each direction during peak times and increasing operating speed. Caltrain will run a reduced weekday service of 90 trains per day and no baby bullet trips to accommodate further construction from Aug. 7-25.

Caltrain is also still struggling to return to pre-pandemic revenue levels, although it has increased in the past year. Caltrain fares from March 23 to May 23 were at $6.7 million, higher than the $5 million in the same time in 2022 but less than the $20 million in 2019. Caltrain fares represent a significant portion of revenue for the transit agency, more than other agencies, increasing the importance of strong ridership numbers. Parking revenue was $584,000 from March to May, up from $432,872 in the same time of 2022, although it remains much lower than the $1.38 million achieved in 2019. Advertising revenue has declined significantly since the pandemic for transit agencies, with Caltrain averaging $23,837 between March and May compared to $346,121 in the same period of 2019.

To deal with the loss of revenue, Caltrain is using its Measure RR sales tax funds on operating expenses, which means less money for future capital projects related to the rider experience. Measure RR is a 2020 voter-passed sales tax that gives Caltrain a dedicated funding source for expenses beyond farebox revenue. Caltrain fares have not returned to pre-pandemic levels of around $83 million in 2019, with the 2024 budget estimating around $30 million in revenue and $36 million in 2025. Caltrain’s short-term finances are stable because of federal funding and more revenue than expected from Measure RR.