SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA: Transit/Transportation News

[38 Geary]

After years of debate, S.F. agency settles on spot for future Bayview Caltrain station
Since 1988, the city has been planning for a train station in Bayview. Decades later, it still hasn’t happened.
by Marina Newman
July 22, 2026, 3:45 am

Thirty-eight years after planning began, San Francisco officials have landed on a spot for a future Caltrain station in Bayview: Oakdale Avenue. The choice of Oakdale Avenue came as a result of a study from the San Francisco County Transportation Authority concluded this year. It comes after nearly four decades of back-and-forth studies that oscillated between two locations — a site on Oakdale, and one half a mile away on Evans Avenue.

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The Oakdale location won out as it consistently scored higher in anticipated ridership, climate resiliency, access, and deliverability, according to the agency’s study.

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Even on Oakdale, the build out will take time: Andrew Heidel, a planner for the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, said at a meeting on Monday evening that it may be a decade before the station breaks ground. The project will need at least $27 million in funding to move forward to the next phase, Heidel said, from state and federal funds — a hurdle.

https://missionlocal.org/2026/07/after-y...pot-for-future-bayview-caltrain-station/

A map of the location:



https://www.sfcta.org/bayview-caltrain

[38 Geary]

Looks like Caltrain ridership is continuing to creep up slowly but surely.

The highest ridership day of the week is Tuesdays at 54,131.

Here's the breakdown for June 2026:
Total monthly ridership: 1,296,335 +24.0% 81.5% of pre-pandemic
Average weekday ridership: 48,794 +21.7% 67.4% of pre-pandemic
Average Saturday ridership: 31,126 +25.3% 187.1% of pre-pandemic
Average Sunday ridership: 24,592 +18.2% 204.7% of pre-pandemic

https://www.caltrain.com/about-caltrain/statistics-reports/ridership

[38 Geary]

Caltrain named one of North America’s top transit agencies
07/30/2026

Caltrain will receive the Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement award this fall in Chicago, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). The award honors transit agencies that demonstrate superior achievement in efficiency and effectiveness and is the most prestigious award an American public transit system can receive.

Caltrain entered the competition for the award this year as a strong contender with many achievements, including: 
- Having the fastest-growing transit ridership in the United States in 2025, with a 57% year-over-year ridership growth.
- Transitioning mainline service from diesel power to 100% renewable green electricity.
- Seeing improved ratings, with the customer experience being rated 4.5 out of 5 and the agency having a 91% approval rating among riders.
- Achieving over $76 million in cost savings, approximately 7% of the agency’s operating budget over the last five years
- Receiving honors for safety, sustainability, construction and mental health, among others

https://www.caltrain.com/news/caltrain-named-one-north-americas-top-transit-agencies

[38 Geary]

August 3, 2026
San Francisco Bay Ferry Breaks Monthly Ridership Record, Public Ridership Data Now Available

SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco Bay Ferry today announced it broke its all-time record for passengers carried in a single month. In July, the agency carried more than 343,000 passengers, beating its record of 332,314 riders set in August 2019.

SF Bay Ferry also set a new record for average daily ridership in a month. According to preliminary data, the ferry service carried an average of 11,070 riders per day in July, breaking its record of 10,992 riders per day set in June.

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SF Bay Ferry beat pre-pandemic ridership for the eighth consecutive month. Through seven months of 2026, total ridership has increased 17% year-over-year and is 10% higher than the agency’s pre-pandemic peak.

https://sanfranciscobayferry.com/san-fra...ord-public-ridership-data-now-available/