Giving Thanks

It’s Thanksgiving season, and it’s hard for me to imagine having more to be thankful for. Being named Executive Director of Caltrain is a great honor and responsibility, and I will endeavor to do all that I can to live up to both. But more than that, Caltrain continues to make steps forward that all of us should be thankful for.


This month, we hosted Commuter Rail executives from across the country, setting the stage for future electrified service. We finished installing new Clipper readers throughout the system, helping to make riding Caltrain even more convenient. And we’re preparing for the second year of the Go Pass Donation Program, which helps local community service organizations give the gift of transit to those who need it most.

Thanks for reading about what’s going on at Caltrain, and what is yet to come.


Everyone is hard at work here at Caltrain, and more exciting developments are just around the corner.



Rider tags on at new Clipper Validator

Caltrain Installs New Clipper Validators

Riders will find the next generation of Clipper validators at stations throughout the Caltrain system, nearly twice as many as there were previously. The 305 units will give riders more flexibility when tagging on and off, preventing last minute sprints across the platform. The new validators are part of Clipper Next Generation, as the Metropolitan Transportation Commission works to make Clipper more accessible and convenient to Bay Area transit users.


Click here for more information.

Members of the Commuter Rail Coalition post in front of a new Caltrain electric train while trying to hide their jealousy

Commuter Rail Coalition Admires New Caltrain Fleet


On November 15, representatives from the Commuter Rail Coalition, representing agencies from around the country, came to San Jose to learn about all the exciting developments happening at Caltrain. Attendees got a full rundown of the Electrification Project, got on-board one of the new electric train sets, and toured the dispatch center to see how Caltrain runs day-to-day. With Caltrain leading the way, we look forward to seeing other systems follow in our footsteps by converting to a greener and more modern fleet. Public tours will occur in 2023. 


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December Service Changes for Signal Cutover Work

From Monday, December 5, through Sunday, December 18, Caltrain will temporarily reduce its service levels to accommodate electrification construction. This will allow for intensive construction work, including signal cutover work at 16 grade crossings, which requires a 24/7 single-tracking window between Belmont and Mountain View. On weekdays, the service will be reduced to 68 trains per day down from the current 104, including the suspension of Baby Bullet service.  Riders will be able to transfer to free SamTrans bus service through the affected area.


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Firefighters access a Caltrain gallery car via a second story window with the use of a ladder.

Passenger Train Emergency Preparedness Exercise Conducted in Sunnyvale

The Lawrence Caltrain Station was abuzz with activity on November 20, as officers from the Transit Police and Sunnyvale firefighters participated in an emergency preparedness exercise on-board one of our trains. Caltrain crews practiced cutting the power on the overhead catenary system, while emergency personnel boarded the train through one of the upper windows to assess the situation and provide medical attention. Caltrain is proud to work with local emergency personnel to ensure that, no matter what happens, we are prepared to keep our passengers safe and secure.



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Caltrain Executive Director Michelle Bouchard speaks at podium at event held at Hillsdale Station

Michelle Bouchard Named Caltrain Executive Director

The Caltrain Board of Directors unanimously appointed Michelle Bouchard to serve as the first permanent Executive Director of the railroad. Bouchard has worked for Caltrain for more than 20 years and has been the Acting Executive Director since April 2021. Bouchard has spent over 25 years in the transit industry, rising through the Caltrain ranks during the 2000s to eventually become Director of Rail Transportation and then Chief Operating Officer. She has been recognized as one of Railway Journal’s Women in Rail, in recognition of her transportation experience, leadership skills, industry contributions, and involvement in community service


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Native American Heritage Month title card that reads Native American Heritage Month

Caltrain Recognizes Native American Heritage Month

The Caltrain Board of Directors voted to recognize November as National Native American Heritage Month at its monthly Board meeting. Caltrain is proud to serve a diverse population of riders and to celebrate the heritage of everyone who rides with us. We in the Bay Area are blessed to live in a diverse, vibrant community, and Caltrain is honored to provide transit for everyone who calls the Bay Area home.


Click here for more information.

In light of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the Bay Area, Caltrain is monitoring the situation and following local public health agencies and CDC guidance regarding public meetings.
Caltrain is implementing a bold service vision for the future with a series of infrastructure and planning projects to modernize the system. Central among these projects is Electrification, which lays the foundation for a faster, greener, cleaner, and more reliable system for everyone.
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