Caltrain Named Fastest-Growing U.S. Transit Agency Following Electrification Boost
Caltrain has been named the fastest-growing transit agency in the United States over the past year, according to the American Public Transportation Association’s Transit Wrapped 2025 list. The recognition comes as the agency experiences a surge in ridership and customer satisfaction following the introduction of high-performance electric trains in September 2024.
The new electric fleet has allowed Caltrain to offer faster, more frequent service, along with a more modern and comfortable passenger experience, including quieter rides, customer-facing Wi-Fi, and accessible power outlets. The agency’s own 2025 Customer Satisfaction Survey, released in October, shows ridership has grown 57% year-over-year, with weekend ridership doubling and five consecutive months surpassing one million riders. Satisfaction ratings hit a record high of 4.41 out of 5, the highest in the 27-year history of the survey, up from 4.02 in 2024.
Despite the strong growth, Caltrain and other Bay Area transit agencies face structural budget shortfalls as commuting patterns continue to shift due to remote work. In response, Caltrain has focused on three areas: cutting costs, monetizing resources, and adapting services to attract more riders. Preliminary results from the FY25 budget indicate positive effects from these measures, with revenues exceeding projections.
In November, Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB63, authorizing a regional revenue measure for the November 2026 ballot. If approved, this measure would create a stable funding source for Caltrain and other Bay Area transit systems, supporting reliable and accessible service. Without new revenue, the agency may have to consider cost-cutting measures to address the funding gap, potentially jeopardizing recent gains in ridership and satisfaction.
Caltrain Executive Director Michelle Bouchard said:
“Caltrain is dedicated to delivering safe, reliable and quality service to its riders, and the increased ridership and satisfaction levels reflect our agency’s commitment to doing just that. Electrified service and other service enhancements have proven that residents across the Bay Area value these improvements. Caltrain remains committed to continually growing ridership and maintaining rider satisfaction by providing fast, reliable public transportation for our riders. At the same time, we continue to evaluate how to effectively cut costs and make the most of the resources we have while we look to long-term sustainable funding sources.”
The agency’s achievements highlight the impact of electrification and service enhancements, demonstrating that investment in modern, convenient transit can attract riders even in an era of changing commuting patterns.
Image: Caltrain