Caltrain releases new schedule for electric trains

On Monday, Caltrain released its new electric train schedule. Starting September 21, a new numbering system and more frequent stops will be introduced.

The electric trains, which have been in the works for decades, began operating on August 10, and Caltrain has since begun adding more and more of them to its schedule until they gradually replace the old trains.

The new timetable will see trains arrive every 15 to 20 minutes during peak hours on weekdays and every 30 minutes at midday, in the evenings and on weekends.

Currently, northbound trains from Palo Alto arrive hourly on weekends and every 15 to 20 minutes during weekday rush hours.

Passengers taking the express train north during the week will have to make additional stops in Palo Alto in San Mateo and South San Francisco, but the overall trip will still be faster, said Dan Lieberman, a Caltrain spokesman.

The operating hours of the slower “local train,” which serves every stop between San Jose and San Francisco, will also be reduced from 100 to 77 minutes, according to a Caltrain announcement.

While the new trains are not faster, they can accelerate and brake more quickly, reducing operating times and making the express trip from San Jose to San Francisco possible in less than an hour, the statement said.

Service patterns would also be “simplified” by having trains arrive at regular intervals, making it easier for passengers to remember timetables, the statement said.

Under the new numbering system, northbound trains will continue to have odd numbers and southbound trains will have even numbers, but the numbers now represent different service patterns:

• 100er – weekday restaurant
• 400s – Weekdays Limited
• 500er – Weekday Express
• 600er – weekend bar
• 800s – South County Connector
• 900 – Special

South of San Jose, passengers can take diesel trains to San Jose Diridon Station and then transfer to the new electric trains, cutting their travel time by 20 minutes, the statement said.

Caltrain says South Bay riders will now “ride more and wait less” thanks to the new electric fleet.