Caltrain Survey Shows Record-High Rider Approval
The survey showed that commute trips still make up the majority of ridership, with most riders boarding 2 to 3 days a week, reflecting hybrid work schedules. Two-thirds of Caltrain riders have access to a car, while 37% of Caltrain riders are considered low-income.
The survey showed that 33% of Caltrain riders walk to their origin station, while 18% take transit, 17% use active transportation like bikes and scooters, 17% are dropped off by car or ride-share, and 16% drive and park at their station.
Caltrain
- Commute trips continue to dominate Caltrain's ridership, with most passengers traveling 2 to 3 days weekly, aligning with hybrid work models.
- A significant portion of Caltrain users, two-thirds, have access to a car despite choosing public transit.
- 37% of riders are identified as low-income, highlighting the diverse socioeconomic background of Caltrain's users.
*Summarized by AI
Caltrain’s Technology, Operations, Planning, and Safety (TOPS) Committee heard a report on the rail agency’s 2025 Triennial Survey, which showed consistently high ratings for the faster, more frequent electrified Caltrain amongst its riders and revealed that a third of Caltrain riders are new to the system.
The survey showed that commute trips still make up the majority of ridership, with most riders boarding 2 to 3 days a week, reflecting hybrid work schedules. Two-thirds of Caltrain riders have access to a car, while 37% of Caltrain riders are considered low-income.
Customer Satisfaction Continues Climb
Customer satisfaction is up, with the current schedule being rated 4.1 out of 5, up from 3.7 in 2022. On-time performance has improved from 3.9 to 4.4, and the Overall Caltrain experience is now rated 4.5, up from 4.1 in the last survey.
Caltrain officials said the results are in line with other surveys since Caltrain launched its faster, more frequent, electrified service, indicating growing approval for the service.
The survey showed that 33% of Caltrain riders walk to their origin station, while 18% take transit, 17% use active transportation like bikes and scooters, 17% are dropped off by car or ride-share, and 16% drive and park at their station. The survey also shows growing use of Clipper, with 86% of respondents using it to pay fares, as paper ticket use has fallen.
Caltrain's Most Popular Stops
San Francisco Station remains the most popular station for both boardings (28%) and departures (19%). The other stations are spread throughout the three counties Caltrain serves, with Palo Alto (9%), San Jose Diridon (8%), Redwood City and Mountain View (5%), and Millbrae and Hillsdale (4%) in the lead for boardings and San Jose Diridon (11%), Palo Alto (10%), Mountain View and Sunnyvale (7%) and Redwood City (6%) leading for departures, said Caltrain officials.
Caltrain received 3,622 responses over four weeks last Fall, with a margin of error of +/- 1.47%, representing a 69% response rate. Caltrain uses this data to develop its service and better target promotion strategies.
Quick Answers
The primary purpose for most Caltrain riders is commuting, as commute trips still make up the majority of ridership.
*Summarized by AI
More Rail
The Business Voice Behind Public Transportation
As chair of APTA’s Business Members Board of Governors, Ray Melleady explains how more than 850 business members are partnering with transit agencies to advance funding, innovation, and industry-wide collaboration.
Read More →
FRA Announces $5.3B in Rail Investments, Including $2B for Amtrak
Funding will support grade-crossing improvements, infrastructure upgrades, and new Amtrak equipment in 23 states.
Read More →
Finding the ‘Happy Medium’: Optimizing Maintenance Without Sacrificing Reliability
The key to maintenance optimization isn’t doing less work—it’s doing the right work at the right time on the right assets.
Read More →
OKC Streetcar Makes Zero-Fare Service Permanent
Ridership increased an average of 71% compared with the same period a year earlier during the fare-free pilot.
Read More →
DART Customer Satisfaction Reaches Six-Year High
Overall satisfaction rose to 74.9%, while the agency’s Net Promoter Score reached a record 33.7.
Read More →
How DART's GoPass Is Redefining Regional Mobility
Serving 14 transit agencies, GoPass simplifies multimodal travel by allowing riders to plan, pay for, and manage an entire trip through one app.
Read More →
Amtrak Board Advances Plan to Restructure Organization, Seeks Public Input
The proposal, developed by Amtrak management and approved by the board for further consideration, is intended to modernize the organization's structure while improving accountability, operational efficiency, and customer service.
Read More →
Biz Briefs: STV teams with Amtrak, Motorcoach Operators Boost Fleet and Land Contracts, and More
From manufacturers and suppliers to transit agencies and motorcoach operators, these updates offer a snapshot of the projects, partnerships and business moves driving the industry forward.
Read More →
Metra Celebrates 100 Years of Electric Rail, Looks to the Future
The event was also a celebration of recent reforms to public transportation in the Chicago area, changes that could be as transformative in the future as the major civic achievement a century ago, said officials.
Read More →
LA Metro Marks Banner Year, Sets Ambitious Goals for New Fiscal Year
Incoming LA Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass joined outgoing Board Chair Fernando Dutra and LA Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins to review accomplishments from fiscal year 2026, which included the opening of new rail extensions, advancement of major transit projects, expanded safety programs, and new rider amenities.
Read More →