Caltrain seeks input on electric train plans

Caltrain is asking the its riding public to provide feedback and input on design details of its future fleet of electric multiple-unit (EMU) trains, consists that are still unfamiliar to large numbers of Californians.

EMUs, Caltrain says, “will replace approximately 75% of the current diesel fleet and operate between San Francisco and San Jose, when the railway is electrified as part of the Caltrain Modernization Program.

Last May, Caltrain’s Board of Directors issued a Request for Information (RFI) for the procurement of electric trains. It now wants feedback from the public about how the new trains should be constructed to manage capacity on key issues such as seats/standees, bathrooms, and bikes on board.

Several meetings “will focus primarily on how the trains will be constructed to manage capacity,” Caltrains said. Caltrain aims to collect public feedback during this initial outreach through the end of September.

Caltrains released its public meeting schedule Friday, Sept. 5, 2014, with the first meeting scheduled for Monday, Sept. 8, in San Carlos, Calif. Numerous in-person outreach to riders at the highest ridership stations also have been scheduled, including but not limited to outreach at San Jose Station on Sept. 9, Palo Alto Station on Sept. 10, 4th and King Station in San Francisco on Sept. 11, and Menlo Park Station on Sept. 16.

Questions and comments can also be submitted via email at [email protected] or phone 650.508.6499.

Caltrains cautioned that while “initial outreach is being conducted on the new vehicles, the project has not yet been approved and is pending environmental clearance. The RFP [Request For Proposals] will be issued after the environmental process is complete, scheduled for the end of 2014.”