Caltrain, city of South San Francisco celebrate completion of station improvement project

Caltrain’s South San Francisco Station Improvement Project is now complete. 

Project stakeholders, along with federal, state and local elected officials, celebrated the completion with a ribbon-cutting event. 

Caltrain, in cooperation with the city of South San Francisco, began construction on the South San Francisco Station Improvement Project in 2017. With funding from the San Mateo County Transportation Authority, city of South San Francisco and Federal Transit Administration, the $96.6 million project built a fully accessible station with a center-boarding platform, allowing riders to seamlessly move between platforms. 

“The enhancements made to this Caltrain station are a game changer for South San Francisco residents and visitors in terms of connectivity and walkability,” said South San Francisco Mayor Mark Nagales. “The pedestrian and rider experience are unlike anyone has ever seen at the South San Francisco Station. I am thrilled to see the outcome of this project.” 

The modernized station provides updated amenities, improves Caltrain efficiency and lays the foundation for Caltrain electrification that will run faster, cleaner and quieter service. A new pedestrian and bicycle underpass enhances east-west connection, while the overall design integrates the station into the fabric of Downtown South San Francisco to better serve the community. 

“Improving stations, such as the South San Francisco Station Improvement Project, is all part of Caltrain’s long term goals, especially given all the great development happening in this city,” said Charles Stone, vice chair of the Caltrain Board of Directors. “As a long-time Caltrain passenger and advocate for more public transportation, increasing the number of trains and frequency of service has been one of my goals as a public servant, in addition to making station access safer and more accessible for riders.” 

“The completion of this project is truly historic,” added Karyl Matsumoto, San Mateo County Transportation Authority Board Chair. “We have officially moved from a train stop to a bona fide train station for our community and riders.”