"Last September, I took the very first train on Caltrain's opening day of electric service. After decades of advocacy, hard work, setbacks, and doubts, it finally happened. In July, Caltrain carried more than 40,000 riders on an average weekday, a 72% increase compared to last year. For the first time since the pandemic, which crippled transit ridership nationwide, monthly Caltrain ridership hit 1 million trips."
"But this story is about more than trains. It's about proving something larger: California can still do big things for transit, even when powerful voices tell us we can't. Under President Trump, California has faced constant attacks. Transit funding has been threatened for projects like high-speed rail, environmental protections have been rolled back, and our state and governor have been singled out as a punching bag in national politics."
The first electric Caltrain service launched last September after decades of advocacy, hard work, setbacks, and doubts. Modernization included electrification that produced faster trains and cleaner air. In July, Caltrain averaged over 40,000 weekday riders, a 72% increase year-over-year, and monthly ridership exceeded one million for the first time since the pandemic. California faced federal hostility and threats to transit and infrastructure funding, including rollbacks of environmental protections. Caltrain received a full funding grant agreement and proceeded despite political obstacles. Persistent local leadership and community commitment produced tangible transit gains and renewed rider confidence.
#caltrain-electrification #transit-ridership-recovery #federal-funding-threats #california-infrastructure
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