By SDCN Editor
San Francisco, CA–The California High-Speed Rail Authority announced on Thursday the appointment of Ian Choudri as its new CEO. Choudri joined Governor Gavin Newsom in San Francisco Saturday to celebrate the launch of Caltrain’s newly electrified train fleet, a development poised to revolutionize rail service in the Bay Area and serve as a vital component of California’s high-speed rail system.
The electrification of Caltrain, a project backed by over $1.3 billion in state funding—including more than $700 million from high-speed rail—marks a significant step forward in Governor Newsom’s ambitious infrastructure agenda. This initiative will serve as the Bay Area’s crucial link to the statewide high-speed rail network.
Over the past year, the California High-Speed Rail project has achieved notable milestones, bolstered by unprecedented federal support from the Biden-Harris Administration. All environmental reviews from Los Angeles to the Bay Area have been completed, and the selection of trainsets is underway. The state is gearing up for station and track construction, with nearly 14,000 jobs already created.
“High-speed rail connected to an electrified Caltrain won’t just get Californians where they need to go faster—it’s about linking communities and fueling economic growth,” Governor Newsom stated. “The completion of the Caltrain project is a critical element of high-speed rail and a testament to California’s commitment to clean transportation. Californians are already witnessing the transformation as we electrify Caltrain, finish structures, lay tracks, design and build stations, and procure trains. We are making rail a reality in California.”
Choudri emphasized the broader significance of the Caltrain project.
“Caltrain’s electrification is a crucial piece of our larger vision for electrified rail across California,” said Choudri. “I’m honored to stand with the governor and our state and federal partners today to celebrate this milestone. We must continue to build on this momentum for the future of transportation.”
The Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project is transforming the rail corridor between San Francisco and San Jose from diesel to electric, reducing emissions and increasing capacity. This upgrade also prepares the corridor for future integration with California’s high-speed rail service. Caltrain estimates that the electrification will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 250,000 tons annually—the equivalent of removing 55,000 cars from the roads.
Once completed, express trains will operate in less than an hour, down from 65 minutes, while local trains will run in 75 minutes instead of 100 on weekends. Stations will offer service every 30 minutes during mid-day, evenings, and weekends, with about 16 stations providing service every 15-20 minutes during peak periods.
Construction of the electrification project began in July 2017. Limited passenger service will start on Sunday, with full service expected to commence next month.
