For Caltrain Electrification Project, a New Leader
Caltrain has appointed Pranaya Shrestha as interim Chief of the Modernization Program, succeeding John Funghi, who will work until Oct. 15.
Caltrain
Transit Briefs: GO Transit; WMATA; Caltrain
GO Transit commuter rail service is coming to London, Ontario. In addition, the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) has released an audit of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) railcar maintenance and overhaul practices; and Caltrain has launched a Go Pass donation pilot program.
Mishap Mars Return of Iconic Muni Cable Cars
San Francisco’s unique and historic cable cars returned to the streets of the City by the Bay on Sept. 4, but an incident at their barn shut them down six days later.
Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, Caltrain, WMATA
Metrolinx has taken delivery of the last of 36 GO Transit bilevel commuter cars, which were ordered in September 2019. In addition, Caltrain service will surpass pre-pandemic levels starting Aug. 30, and Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) is adding more trains and buses and extending operating hours beginning Sept. 5.
Caltrain: Electrification Delayed to ’24, Costs Rise 17%
Caltrain’s launch of electrified service will be delayed two years, until late 2024, due to “complications in the installation of signal systems, unforeseen conditions under Caltrain’s tracks, and the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which severely disrupted supply chains necessary to the project.”
Caltrain Extends TASI’s Operating Contract
The Caltrain Board of Directors has extended through June 30, 2027, its operating agreement with TransitAmerica Services, Inc. (TASI).
Commuter Rail Coalition: ‘Reopening New York’ Virtual Event, Oct. 6
“Reopening New York” is the fourth virtual event of the Commuter Rail Coalition’s (CRC) “Adapt. Evolve. Innovate. Operating Commuter Railroads in a Pandemic” series. It will be held Oct. 6.
First CalMod EMU on Test Track
As part of the Caltrain Modernization (CalMod) Program, Caltrain recently placed the first EMU (electric multiple-unit) trainset from Stadler Rail on the 25KV-electrified test track at the builder’s Salt Lake City manufacturing facility.
Report: Caltrain Officials Predict Long Road to Recovery
According to a report in The Daily Journal, Caltrain officials are projecting a long road to recovery from the financial blow dealt by COVID-19, and recently even floated the possibility of a system-wide shutdown if new revenue sources are not secured—even after the economy is reopened.
Caltrain’s Service Vision comes into focus
Commuter railroad Caltrain recently released its draft Service Vision for the next 20-plus years of service on the line. Under the vision recommended by Caltrain’s staff, “fast and frequent service would be the standard on the line.”