According to Caltrain’s estimation, ridership has more than doubled from its lowest point of 1,500 riders per day to 3,000 riders per day as shelter-in-place (SIP) orders beginning to relax and more riders return to Caltrain.
Caltrain has also increased the number of trains it operates to 70 per weekday, after reducing service down to 42 trains following SIP orders. Caltrain says it is continuing to monitor ridership to ensure that enough capacity exists to allow riders to maintain a healthy distance from each other.
Caltrain has also been working to provide a safe and clean service in the face of COVID-19. All riders and staff are required to wear a face-covering while on board or at stations. Caltrain is currently cleaning and sanitizing its trains daily with CDC-recommended disinfectant products. Station touchpoints are wiped down multiple times each day and cleaning crews use spray foggers to disinfect the trains both every night and midday at the San Francisco Station.
Caltrain staff is working closely with the region’s transit systems to develop a public health on transit plan that will include a set of guidelines for riders and employees that is based on local, national and international best practices for protecting riders and workers.
At this time, the agency says no employees that work on board or in a maintenance capacity have been infected with COVID-19. Pre-pandemic, Caltrain’s average weekday ridership was 65,000 passengers.
