Sustainable San Mateo County is proud to honor Caltrain as the recipient of a 2025 Sustainability Award. Caltrain’s groundbreaking electrification project is setting a gold standard for sustainable public transportation, with far-reaching environmental, economic and social equity benefits. Watch our video about Caltrain.


A Leader in Green Innovation

As the first diesel-to-electric conversion west of the Mississippi, Caltrain’s electrification marks a historic milestone for California transit. Running on 100% clean, renewable energy provided by Peninsula Clean Energy and San Jose Energy, Caltrain’s new electric trains are estimated to eliminate 250,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually – the equivalent of removing 55,000 cars from our roads. This systemic shift away from a car-centric culture demonstrates the transformative potential of sustainable public transit and offers a blueprint for agencies nationwide.

Unparalleled Impact Across the “3 Es”

Caltrain’s work exemplifies sustainability’s triple bottom line:

  • Environment: By transitioning from diesel, Caltrain has reduced air and noise pollution along its 51-mile corridor, benefiting communities near the tracks, including historically marginalized areas. A robust stormwater management plan at stations further enhances environmental stewardship.
  • Economy: The $2.4 billion electrification project created 33,000 jobs nationally, including positions at a new electric train manufacturing facility in Utah. Faster, more reliable service is also stimulating regional economic growth.
  • Equity: Service increases of 26% in equity-priority communities provide greater access to affordable, reliable transit. Programs like Clipper Start and youth discounts ensure that disadvantaged populations benefit directly.

Driving Public Support and Regional Transformation
Caltrain’s commitment to public engagement was key to this success. By hosting outreach events, workshops and multilingual public meetings, they kept the community educated and informed about the project’s benefits. Partnerships with local governments and environmental organizations further rallied support, demonstrating how collaboration can drive systemic change.

At the launch, Congressmember Kevin Mullin shared his excitement for the project saying, “The dream of Caltrain electrification has become a reality, and I am thrilled this momentous accomplishment will benefit our environment, our economy and commuters across our region. This state-of-the-art passenger rail service sets the bar for sustainable transportation in California and the nation.”

Caltrain’s leadership is shaping a cleaner, greener future for San Mateo County and the Bay Area, creating a model for sustainable transit systems across the country. Congratulations, Caltrain!