Caltrain Electrification Project to Get $43MM Boost

Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
(Photograph Courtesy of Caltrain via Twitter)

(Photograph Courtesy of Caltrain via Twitter)

Caltrain on Dec. 23 reported that it would receive $43 million as part of the omnibus spending bill to “help fill the funding gap” for its 51-mile commuter rail electrification project in Northern California.

The electrification project will upgrade and electrify its double-track system from the 4th and King Station in San Francisco to the Tamien Station in San Jose, Calif. (See map below). Stadler-built KISS bilevel EMUs will replace Caltrain’s existing diesel fleet. The commuter rail operator awarded Stadler a $551 million contract in August 2016 for 16 six-car EMUs, with an option for a further 96 cars worth an additional $385 million. In December 2018, Caltrain exercised an option to extend the trains from six to seven cars, and ordered another three seven-car trains.

Of the new federal funding for the project, $10 million was secured by U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) as a community project, and $33 million was included as part of the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grant (CIG) Program for projects with existing Full Funding Grant Agreements, Caltrain reported.

“Additional funding sources are being pursued to resolve the project’s remaining $367 million funding gap, including from California’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP), which includes up to $1.3 billion for projects like Caltrain Electrification,” the commuter rail operator said. “Caltrain applied to the program in December and awards are expected by the end of January. Caltrain has received tremendous backing from Caltrain’s state delegation in support of the application, as well from San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara County elected officials, every city along the corridor from San Francisco to Gilroy, the JPB member agencies, and over 70 community groups representing business, labor, environmental, housing and transit advocates, health, and education.”

If funding can be secured, Caltrain said, electric services are expected to commence in fall 2024, which is two years later than planned. This is due to complications in the installation of signaling system, unforeseen conditions under the tracks and the COVID-19 pandemic. The project price tag of $2.44 billion is $462 million over the initial estimate.

Michelle Bouchard, Executive Director, Caltrain

“The electrification of Caltrain is one of the most important milestones in Caltrain’s nearly 160 year history,” said Michelle Bouchard, who in November was named the commuter rail operator’s Executive Director, following more than a year of service in an acting capacity. “We are one step closer thanks to our supporters who truly know what this means in terms of addressing climate change and providing the modernized transportation service that our communities deserve.”

In related developments, Caltrain representatives were joined by federal, state, regional and local officials and community members on Sept. 24 to celebrate the first public viewing of its EMUs. The new high-performance trains “will generate much less noise than their diesel equivalent,” and offer enhanced amenities, including new digital onboard displays, power outlets at each forward-facing seat, a new seat color palette selected by the public, energy-efficient lighting, coat hooks, security cameras, and expanded storage under the cantilevered seats, according to Caltrain.

Also, Caltrain on Dec. 16 awarded two contracts to Nomad Digital, Inc. of Hayward, Calif., for Broadband Communications Services.

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