Californians for Electric Rail
@calelectricrail.org
Bringing together transit riders, environmentalists, and union members for fast, clean, safe catenary electric regional, intercity, and freight rail in California. #CatenaryNow #ElectrifyMetrolink
Pinned
Funding is a major, underappreciated contributor to the high construction costs and long timelines that hold back electrification. In our new policy paper, Against Patchwork Funding, we propose a smarter way to fund rail: Multi-year Investment Frameworks. 🧵 calelectricrail.org/against-patc...
If service-led planning was mandatory, SBCTA wouldn't have wasted years of staff time on this boondoggle and would be already advancing better alternatives.
And while the ONT connector thankfully did not have success w/ grants, patchwork competitive grant programs kept hope alive for years.
And while the ONT connector thankfully did not have success w/ grants, patchwork competitive grant programs kept hope alive for years.
Victory! SBCTA is cancelling the ONT Tesla Tunnel project - which would have duplicated BRT with an tunnel for cars - after construction costs escalated to $1-2 B. Time to pivot to electrification and 15 minute service on the San Bernardino line, planning for future multi-use heavy rail to ONT.
November 26, 2025 at 8:05 PM
If service-led planning was mandatory, SBCTA wouldn't have wasted years of staff time on this boondoggle and would be already advancing better alternatives.
And while the ONT connector thankfully did not have success w/ grants, patchwork competitive grant programs kept hope alive for years.
And while the ONT connector thankfully did not have success w/ grants, patchwork competitive grant programs kept hope alive for years.
Victory! SBCTA is cancelling the ONT Tesla Tunnel project - which would have duplicated BRT with an tunnel for cars - after construction costs escalated to $1-2 B. Time to pivot to electrification and 15 minute service on the San Bernardino line, planning for future multi-use heavy rail to ONT.
November 26, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Victory! SBCTA is cancelling the ONT Tesla Tunnel project - which would have duplicated BRT with an tunnel for cars - after construction costs escalated to $1-2 B. Time to pivot to electrification and 15 minute service on the San Bernardino line, planning for future multi-use heavy rail to ONT.
The infrastructure funding webinar is back! Mark your calendars for January 6th (no, not that one).
Investments in public transit have failed to provide the right incentives for infrastructure projects to get completed in an affordable and timely manner.
Join this webinar to learn how reforms to the shape, type, and speed of investment can transform project delivery and service outcomes.
Join this webinar to learn how reforms to the shape, type, and speed of investment can transform project delivery and service outcomes.
Full Steam Ahead: Funding Transformational Transit
Transit and passenger rail investment in the United States struggles for adequate investment. Despite some improvements in top line figures for transit and passenger rail, federal and state transporta...
actionnetwork.org
November 26, 2025 at 7:42 PM
The infrastructure funding webinar is back! Mark your calendars for January 6th (no, not that one).
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
New explainer video: what are those future Union Station run-through tracks?!?
November 25, 2025 at 7:20 PM
New explainer video: what are those future Union Station run-through tracks?!?
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
Investments in public transit have failed to provide the right incentives for infrastructure projects to get completed in an affordable and timely manner.
Join this webinar to learn how reforms to the shape, type, and speed of investment can transform project delivery and service outcomes.
Join this webinar to learn how reforms to the shape, type, and speed of investment can transform project delivery and service outcomes.
Full Steam Ahead: Funding Transformational Transit
Transit and passenger rail investment in the United States struggles for adequate investment. Despite some improvements in top line figures for transit and passenger rail, federal and state transporta...
actionnetwork.org
November 25, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Investments in public transit have failed to provide the right incentives for infrastructure projects to get completed in an affordable and timely manner.
Join this webinar to learn how reforms to the shape, type, and speed of investment can transform project delivery and service outcomes.
Join this webinar to learn how reforms to the shape, type, and speed of investment can transform project delivery and service outcomes.
More and more European rail interests are abandoning hydrogen trains. Time for California to follow suit and invest in overhead electrification for fast, frequent, reliable service.
November 25, 2025 at 8:23 PM
More and more European rail interests are abandoning hydrogen trains. Time for California to follow suit and invest in overhead electrification for fast, frequent, reliable service.
The solution to our transportation emissions problems has existed for over 50 years. We just need to build it...
November 24, 2025 at 7:36 PM
The solution to our transportation emissions problems has existed for over 50 years. We just need to build it...
California is pausing its hydrogen hub, which has been a driving force behind the hydrogen train boondoggle. Will this pause investments into unproven hydrogen trains, and accelerate investments in proven, fast, zero-emissions electric trains with overhead wires? archesh2.org/california-p...
California Pauses Hydrogen Hub Activities Amid Federal Funding Changes - Arches H2
In response to recent changes in federal funding priorities, the Alliance for Renewable Clean Hydrogen Energy Systems (ARCHES) will immediately pause hydrogen hub activities
archesh2.org
November 24, 2025 at 7:34 PM
California is pausing its hydrogen hub, which has been a driving force behind the hydrogen train boondoggle. Will this pause investments into unproven hydrogen trains, and accelerate investments in proven, fast, zero-emissions electric trains with overhead wires? archesh2.org/california-p...
75% of VMT is from trips longer than 10 miles. California needs to rapidly expand electrified regional and intercity rail to meet our climate goals. We need commitments today, not vague promises and hydrogen pilots, and real reform to speed up the delivery of rail projects.
I think entirely too much about how California’s climate plan explicitly says that converting to EVs is not nearly enough to meet our greenhouse gas reduction targets so we need to reduce VMT 25% by 2030, and then we do basically nothing to try to achieve that goal
November 22, 2025 at 3:03 AM
75% of VMT is from trips longer than 10 miles. California needs to rapidly expand electrified regional and intercity rail to meet our climate goals. We need commitments today, not vague promises and hydrogen pilots, and real reform to speed up the delivery of rail projects.
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
Whoever is CA’s next governor must make electric rail and transit funding a priority! 🤔
November 22, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Whoever is CA’s next governor must make electric rail and transit funding a priority! 🤔
100 years later, CA still struggles to implement
a) Electrified, through-running, higher-speed mainline rail for long haul trips
d) unified operations (vs 30+ uncoordinated agencies in greater LA)
e) Service-led planning
f) building a) on existing ROW rather than new duplicative lines
a) Electrified, through-running, higher-speed mainline rail for long haul trips
d) unified operations (vs 30+ uncoordinated agencies in greater LA)
e) Service-led planning
f) building a) on existing ROW rather than new duplicative lines
It's painful to read plans from a century ago that perfectly formulate how to build a world class transit system yet today we still need years of redundant studies to even build a bus lane
November 22, 2025 at 12:59 AM
100 years later, CA still struggles to implement
a) Electrified, through-running, higher-speed mainline rail for long haul trips
d) unified operations (vs 30+ uncoordinated agencies in greater LA)
e) Service-led planning
f) building a) on existing ROW rather than new duplicative lines
a) Electrified, through-running, higher-speed mainline rail for long haul trips
d) unified operations (vs 30+ uncoordinated agencies in greater LA)
e) Service-led planning
f) building a) on existing ROW rather than new duplicative lines
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
We also need electeds and policymakers at the helm who truly understand the role rail plays in solving almost every single major crisis facing Californians today. The current rail plan is great compared to previous plans but it's only a starting point. We need to be faster and more ambitious!
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Not only is 3% of CA's transportation budget for transit agencies, the vast majority of that huge Caltrans budget supports highway projects - while rail gets the scraps. We need a #JustTransitionForCaltrans that shifts those workers into delivering green rail projects quickly and cost effectively.
November 22, 2025 at 12:50 AM
We also need electeds and policymakers at the helm who truly understand the role rail plays in solving almost every single major crisis facing Californians today. The current rail plan is great compared to previous plans but it's only a starting point. We need to be faster and more ambitious!
🚄💨
🚄💨
We can't expect rural areas to design and deliver intercity rail projects by themselves. Caltrans' understaffing of rail and transit hurts rural areas and outer suburbs - who seldom have well-staffed transit agencies of their own - the most.
Not only is 3% of CA's transportation budget for transit agencies, the vast majority of that huge Caltrans budget supports highway projects - while rail gets the scraps. We need a #JustTransitionForCaltrans that shifts those workers into delivering green rail projects quickly and cost effectively.
November 22, 2025 at 12:32 AM
We can't expect rural areas to design and deliver intercity rail projects by themselves. Caltrans' understaffing of rail and transit hurts rural areas and outer suburbs - who seldom have well-staffed transit agencies of their own - the most.
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
We know a thing or two about how you can avoid this.. :)
An hourlong drive could become 2.5 hours without proper planning.
Unexpected Bay Area route to see peak congestion during Thanksgiving travel
An hourlong drive could become 2.5 hours without proper planning.
bit.ly
November 20, 2025 at 11:04 PM
We know a thing or two about how you can avoid this.. :)
The people clamor for trains! Let's electrify the Surfliner and Capitol Corridor and grow ridership even more!
Amtrak ridership went up 5 percent in the past year while revenue grew 10 percent, a win for an agency that has been fighting to preserve support for passenger rail under an administration skeptical of public transit.
In a tumultuous year, Amtrak got more riders at higher prices
Flight cancellations during the government shutdown gave Amtrak a boost, while more customers are choosing pricier business-class seats.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:38 PM
The people clamor for trains! Let's electrify the Surfliner and Capitol Corridor and grow ridership even more!
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
As high-speed rail erodes airfares, China’s airlines are stuck in overcapacity
sc.mp/09iue?utm_so...
sc.mp/09iue?utm_so...
As high-speed rail erodes airfares, China’s airlines are stuck in overcapacity
Flight loads have surpassed pre-pandemic levels on high-density routes, but China’s carriers are still struggling to balance their books.
sc.mp
November 20, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
Without a Bay Area transit measure, Caltrain would have to
- run 1 train/hour
- stop service at 9pm
- stop weekend service
- close 1/3rd of stations
These cuts would be a disaster for riders and undermine the faster and more frequent service that boosted ridership 47% YoY since electrification.
- run 1 train/hour
- stop service at 9pm
- stop weekend service
- close 1/3rd of stations
These cuts would be a disaster for riders and undermine the faster and more frequent service that boosted ridership 47% YoY since electrification.
Caltrain outlines severe service cuts without regional measure — Seamless Bay Area
Funding shortfalls threaten to reverse Caltrain's dramatic ridership boom following the start of faster, more frequent electric train service. The agency could be forced to run only hourly service, ru...
www.seamlessbayarea.org
November 18, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Without a Bay Area transit measure, Caltrain would have to
- run 1 train/hour
- stop service at 9pm
- stop weekend service
- close 1/3rd of stations
These cuts would be a disaster for riders and undermine the faster and more frequent service that boosted ridership 47% YoY since electrification.
- run 1 train/hour
- stop service at 9pm
- stop weekend service
- close 1/3rd of stations
These cuts would be a disaster for riders and undermine the faster and more frequent service that boosted ridership 47% YoY since electrification.
The California delegation must say no to an infrastructure reauthorization that cuts transit funding! And regardless of what happens in DC, next year the state should prioritize building rail state capacity and streamlining 3rd party permits so that we can build more with the money we do have.
Trump Admin is planning to ask Congress to dramatically cut funding for transit as part of the 2026 infrastructure law.
The proposal would eliminate the transit account, which funds billions of dollars in capital expenses. It would also prevent states from “flexing” roads funds for transit.
The proposal would eliminate the transit account, which funds billions of dollars in capital expenses. It would also prevent states from “flexing” roads funds for transit.
POLITICO Pro: Trump administration proposals seek to eliminate transit funding
DOT recently sent two proposals to the White House budget office seeking to pare back transit money.
subscriber.politicopro.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:52 PM
The California delegation must say no to an infrastructure reauthorization that cuts transit funding! And regardless of what happens in DC, next year the state should prioritize building rail state capacity and streamlining 3rd party permits so that we can build more with the money we do have.
Props to Metro for doing the right thing this time and choosing to increase Metrolink service and add a new station rather than duplicating it with light rail. Electrification and 15 minute service on the AVL would further support ESFV light rail and improve local transit in the San Fernando area.
November 17, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Props to Metro for doing the right thing this time and choosing to increase Metrolink service and add a new station rather than duplicating it with light rail. Electrification and 15 minute service on the AVL would further support ESFV light rail and improve local transit in the San Fernando area.
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
Trump Admin is planning to ask Congress to dramatically cut funding for transit as part of the 2026 infrastructure law.
The proposal would eliminate the transit account, which funds billions of dollars in capital expenses. It would also prevent states from “flexing” roads funds for transit.
The proposal would eliminate the transit account, which funds billions of dollars in capital expenses. It would also prevent states from “flexing” roads funds for transit.
POLITICO Pro: Trump administration proposals seek to eliminate transit funding
DOT recently sent two proposals to the White House budget office seeking to pare back transit money.
subscriber.politicopro.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Trump Admin is planning to ask Congress to dramatically cut funding for transit as part of the 2026 infrastructure law.
The proposal would eliminate the transit account, which funds billions of dollars in capital expenses. It would also prevent states from “flexing” roads funds for transit.
The proposal would eliminate the transit account, which funds billions of dollars in capital expenses. It would also prevent states from “flexing” roads funds for transit.
With electrification, level boarding, and more frequent service, Capitol Corridor could transform transportation in the Sacramento Valley and beyond. But we need to reform project delivery to make this happen in our lifetime, with stronger governance and more state capacity.
Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor is scheduled at only 25 minutes – it’s faster than driving!
But there is only a single round-trip per day, leaving Roseville at 7:07 AM and arriving Sacramento at 7:32 AM.
But there is only a single round-trip per day, leaving Roseville at 7:07 AM and arriving Sacramento at 7:32 AM.
November 17, 2025 at 7:54 PM
With electrification, level boarding, and more frequent service, Capitol Corridor could transform transportation in the Sacramento Valley and beyond. But we need to reform project delivery to make this happen in our lifetime, with stronger governance and more state capacity.
The cost of the Roseville 3rd track has nearly doubled since 2024, and will now provide only 6 round trips at first. Largely downstream of Capitol Corridor's lack of state capacity and extortion by powerful 3rd parties like Union Pacific. We need to fix this ASAP. calelectricrail.org/project-deli...
November 17, 2025 at 7:50 PM
The cost of the Roseville 3rd track has nearly doubled since 2024, and will now provide only 6 round trips at first. Largely downstream of Capitol Corridor's lack of state capacity and extortion by powerful 3rd parties like Union Pacific. We need to fix this ASAP. calelectricrail.org/project-deli...
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
Imagine these babies cruising into the Gaslamp district! www.youtube.com/shorts/eSIMn...
Electric Train vs. Diesel ⚡️
YouTube video by Caltrain
www.youtube.com
November 13, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Imagine these babies cruising into the Gaslamp district! www.youtube.com/shorts/eSIMn...
Downtown San Diego is getting a new COASTER stop! We're getting through-running, now it's time to move forward with the other two pillars of Electrolink: level boarding and electrification! www.cbs8.com/article/traf...
New Downtown COASTER stop to connect Oceanside and the Gaslamp by 2027 | On the Move
A smoother, more direct ride from North County to Downtown San Diego is on the horizon.
www.cbs8.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Downtown San Diego is getting a new COASTER stop! We're getting through-running, now it's time to move forward with the other two pillars of Electrolink: level boarding and electrification! www.cbs8.com/article/traf...
Great example of how CA High Speed Rail's past overreliance on consultants drove up costs. Consultants are structurally incentivized to avoid risks and ignore costs, so they took the safe, expensive option of US freight standards over the "risky" option of European HSR standards.
By learning from other countries and adopting international best practices, California High Speed Rail was able to cut its costs by $14 billion and cut 70% of tunnels.
This is a big lesson for transit projects both in NY & around the US: start by learning from other countries.
tinyurl.com/mvsmfxa2
This is a big lesson for transit projects both in NY & around the US: start by learning from other countries.
tinyurl.com/mvsmfxa2
November 12, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Great example of how CA High Speed Rail's past overreliance on consultants drove up costs. Consultants are structurally incentivized to avoid risks and ignore costs, so they took the safe, expensive option of US freight standards over the "risky" option of European HSR standards.