METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Caltrain, Stanford U. to collaborate on business plan

Plan will identify a service model that supports long-term regional job and population growth and surging ridership demand.

April 9, 2018
Caltrain, Stanford U. to collaborate on business plan

The Caltrain Business Plan will allow the railway to identify a service model that supports long-term regional job and population growth and surging ridership demand.

Caltrain

2 min to read


The Caltrain Business Plan will allow the railway to identify a service model that supports long-term regional job and population growth and surging ridership demand. Caltrain

The Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (JPB), which manages Caltrain, authorized the execution of an agreement with Stanford University to help further the development of the Caltrain Business Plan.

The Business Plan’s strategy and scope, which was approved by the JPB in February, will define the long-term vision for the fast-growing commuter rail system that connects San Francisco and Silicon Valley. The JPB is collaborating with government agencies, community partners, contractors, and stakeholders to explore economic, policy, and technical approaches.

Ad Loading...

Under the new agreement, Stanford’s Land, Buildings & Real Estate (LBRE) group will contribute in-kind technical assistance to support the Business Plan and will help secure independent technical resources. In addition, the JPB and Stanford will collaborate on identifying and developing external sources to help fund the plan. As project lead, the JPB will determine the contents of the final Business Plan in its sole discretion.

The Caltrain Business Plan will allow the railway to identify a service model that supports long-term regional job and population growth and surging ridership demand. This work will involve an exploration of economic, policy, and technical approaches that will provide a better understanding of passenger needs and opportunities to maximize the value of Caltrain for local communities.

The Caltrain Business Plan will also look at long-range opportunities to integrate regional rail services that could traverse and connect to the Caltrain corridor. The final Business Plan will include specific targets for service and capacity growth that will describe how Caltrain should grow to meet market demand.

Work on the Caltrain Business Plan began in spring 2017 after the agency awarded contracts for construction of the Caltrain Electrification project that allows the system to replace decades-old diesel equipment with modernized electric trains. When complete, Caltrain Electrification will immediately improve the system’s capacity, service frequency, and travel times, but the strategies recommended in the final Business Plan will need to be implemented to fully realize the benefits that electrification makes possible.

The Business Plan will be completed with input from communities along the corridor and is anticipated to be a year-long process.

More Rail

Railby StaffFebruary 2, 2026

Chicago Region Transit Ridership Grows in 2025

The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.

Read More →
Managementby StaffJanuary 29, 2026

Valley Metro Sees Strong Ridership Growth in 2025

The agency ranked top five among mid-sized U.S. transit systems, defined as agencies with 15 million to 50 million annual trips.

Read More →
Busby StaffJanuary 29, 2026

Subway Customer Satisfaction Reaches Record High, New York MTA Says

The subway system saw increases across all key metrics, with 62% of subway riders reporting they feel satisfied with the system overall.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Managementby StaffJanuary 27, 2026

Keolis Retains Virginia Railway Express Contract

The new contract for Keolis and VRE will commence in July 2026, with the potential to expand to 15 years.

Read More →
Busby StaffJanuary 27, 2026

California's OCTA Advances 2026 Initiatives Centered on Balance and Sustainability

The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.

Read More →
Railby Staff and News ReportsJanuary 26, 2026

People Movement: Virginia's DRPT Names New Director and More

In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at HDR, MCTS, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
ManagementJanuary 23, 2026

Seattle Sound Transit Sets Launch Date for Crosslake Connection

This final component of the 2 Line will cross Lake Washington and connect with the 1 Line at International District/Chinatown Station, creating a fully integrated regional light rail system.

Read More →
A blue and white graphic with a map of the proposed study area for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor and text reading "LA Metro Approves Underground Rail for Sepulveda Transit Corridor."
RailJanuary 23, 2026

LA Metro Approves Underground Rail for Sepulveda Transit Corridor

The agency’s selection aims to slash travel times from the San Fernando Valley to the Westside to under 20 minutes.

Read More →
TechnologyJanuary 21, 2026

Florida's Tri-Rail Taps Siemens Mobility for Modern Locomotive Procurement

Expected to enter service in 2029, these locomotives support the agency’s commitment to offer reliable and efficient rail transportation across South Florida.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Rendering of an Austin Light Rail station.
RailJanuary 20, 2026

Austin Transit Partnership Advances Federal Funding Process for Light Rail Project

See how the agency’s transit project completed a Final Environmental Impact Statement within the federal two-year guideline.

Read More →