Caltrain named one of Time magazine’s 10 most influential transportation companies

Time Magazine named Caltrain one of its 10 most influential transportation companies, recognizing the agency's electrification project and its best-in-the-nation ridership growth in 2025.

"Caltrain's $2.4 billion project to electrify the commuter rail line linking San Francisco to Silicon Valley had no shortage of problems: a funding freeze, a lawsuit from a Bay Area town, and a pandemic that blew up the timeline and budget," the Time story reads. "When it finally opened, people showed up. By the time the line's first full year of electric service ended in 2025, ridership was up 57%. Weekend trains were packed. Satisfaction scores hit a 27-year high. The new Stadler trains brought WiFi, power outlets, and bike storage to a corridor that had run the same diesel locomotives since 1985. Electric motors accelerated faster out of stations, cutting 20 minutes off the slowest trips. There's one more thing to like: In 2026, Caltrain will become the first California railroad to sell energy from its trains back to the grid."

Since the launch of electrified service, Caltrain has provided cleaner air for communities along the corridor and faster, more frequent service for riders throughout the San Francisco Peninsula with a state-of-the-art electric fleet featuring modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi, power outlets, baby changing tables in the bathroom and much more.

Daily, Caltrain carries the equivalent of three lanes of Highway 101 traffic, representing 36,000 daily car trips, which would add 828,000 miles of driving and generate 220 metric tons of carbon dioxide each day. 

“Electrifying the Caltrain corridor was a challenging task that required years of planning and effort,” said Caltrain Executive Director Michelle Bouchard. “Today, that hard work is paying off for millions of commuters every month, and it is gratifying to have these efforts recognized and celebrated.”

This honor is one of many Caltrain has received since completing its Electrification Project. Since the launch of electrified service, Caltrain has received: the American Public Transportation Association’s Commuter Rail Safety Gold Award, the 2025 Sustainability Award from Sustainable San Mateo County, and the Build America Highway & Transportation Renovation Award from the Associated General Contractors of America.