Transit Briefs: SFMTA, NJT, SJJPA, DART, Caltrain, Denver RTD, Alstom
SFMTA
SFMTA on Nov. 12 will hold a “farewell ride” aboard its Breda LRVs, which will be rolling into retirement after 30 years of Muni service in San Francisco. The ride will take place on the J Church Line from 11:45 a.m. until 9 p.m., with happy hour from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Churchill (198 Church Street).
“We introduced Breda trains at the height of the 1990s dot-com boom,” SFMTA reported Nov. 3. “The first Breda went into service in 1996. Over the next eight years, 151 of these vehicles joined the Muni fleet. They replaced our aging Boeing trains and became the backbone of our light rail system. The Bredas helped expand Muni Metro service from Ocean Beach to Dogpatch. And they powered major milestones in the city’s development. The Bredas were there when Pac Bell Park (now Oracle Park) opened, and they made it easier for Giants fans to get to games. They were the first trains to run on the T Third line. The Bredas were designed to meet commuter demand in an evolving city. And they were an integral part of a transit investment that helped promote housing construction and create lively new neighborhoods in the South of Market area. They have been a rolling symbol of how San Francisco innovates.”
SFMTA began phasing out the Breda LRVs in 2021 to make room for new Siemens LRVs. The agency awarded Siemens a $648 million contract for 175 S200-SF LRVs in 2014 (with an option for 85 more), and the first vehicles entered service in 2017. The Siemens LRVs not only are faster and feature improved wheelchair access to create a better ride for all, but also are three to four times more reliable than Bredas and experience fewer service delays; have onboard predictive diagnostics to help prevent issues before they affect service; have a modern crash safety system that includes energy absorption in case of collisions; and have ergonomic seating, better visibility, and intuitive controls for operators, SFMTA said.
One Breda car—No. 1534—will be displayed at the Western Railway Museum in Solano County. For more on San Francisco’s rail history, read the Muni Light Rail Through the Years blog post.
NJT
NJT on Nov. 3 reported completing exterior work at its station in Mahwah, N.J., as part of a renovation project to improve both functionality and structural integrity. The station serves NJT’s commuter railroad.
Work included replacing the station roof, retaining wall, and a stairway; installing new architectural railing and upgraded information displays; relocating electrical equipment; making partial stucco and brick repairs and minor lighting upgrades; and refurbishing stairs. Additional work included improved site drainage, a new concrete apron, refreshed landscaping, and new bike racks for customers.
According to NJT, train service was not interrupted during the renovation project.
“With exterior upgrades now in place, Mahwah Station is already offering our customers a safer, more welcoming and more inviting space,” said Kris Kolluri, President and CEO of NJT, which also provides bus, light rail and paratransit services. “It’s just one example of over 20 NJT station projects currently in progress, all aimed at strengthening the customer experience through thoughtful, long-term investment.”
Separately, NJT recently expanded its FARE-PAY cards to all three light rail systems and all buses.
SJJPA
SJJPA, the Amtrak San Joaquins managing agency since 2015, has rebranded the service as Gold Runner.
“One of the founding goals of the Joint Powers Authority was to ensure local, dedicated management of the service, including control over marketing and brand direction,” SJJPA and Amtrak reported Nov. 3. “With continued investment from the State of California, SJJPA has been able to develop and implement strategies that elevate the service’s profile, strengthen ridership, and align messaging more closely with the communities it serves. The Gold Runner brand marks an important milestone in this mission, giving SJJPA the ability to steward the brand, one that reflects the Authority’s vision, values, and regional identity.”
The Gold Runner name was selected to “align with SJJPA’s long-term expansion plans and California’s broader rail strategy, while fostering stronger connections with neighboring rail services,” the partners said. Just as important, they noted, “it highlights what makes the system unique: an expansive Thruway Bus network that connects more than half of all riders to destinations across the state.”
By uniting rail and bus service under a single, cohesive identity, SJJPA can “more effectively communicate the full scope of mobility it provides, support future expansion, and deliver a clearer, more consistent experience for passengers,” SJJPA and Amtrak reported. “The Gold Runner name reflects both the heritage and momentum of the Central Valley, representing speed, connection, and California pride.”
SJJPA will host a launch event on Nov. 14, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the ACE Rail Maintenance Facility in Stockton. The event will unveil Gold Runner-branded trains and Thruway buses, and feature remarks from transportation leaders and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“Gold Runner represents more than a new name, it’s a symbol of our commitment to our passengers and California’s communities,” said David Lipari, Interim Executive Director of SJJPA.
DART
DART on Nov. 4 announced that recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) who qualify for the Discount GoPass Tap Card will have their Tap Cards validated through Dec. 31, 2025.
Those eligible for program renewal in November or December will automatically see their pass extended through the end of the year, according to the transit agency, which operates light rail, Silver Line regional rail, Trinity Railway Express regional rail, bus routes, GoLink on-demand service, and paratransit. A new proof of benefits card will not be required for using the Discount GoPass Tap Card, DART said.
“We understand the financial squeeze many of our riders are feeling and as our core mission at DART is to facilitate mobility around North Texas, we have the unique opportunity to provide some relief,” said Jeamy Molina, EVP and Chief Communications Officer for DART. “Public transit is more than just about getting from Point A to Point B. Our role is also education and economic mobility, and we are proud to have a part in that journey.”
Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration on Oct. 17 announced it will be providing free MARC and Commuter Bus service to federal workers during the ongoing federal government shutdown.
In other news, DART on Oct. 25 celebrated the opening of its 26-mile, 10-station Silver Line that connects seven North Texas cities (Plano, Richardson, Dallas, Addison, Carrollton, Coppell, Grapevine) and DFW International Airport.
Caltrain
Caltrain on Oct. 31 released the results of its 2025 Customer Satisfaction Survey at its Technology, Operations, Planning, and Safety Committee meeting. The regional/commuter railroad reported receiving a record high satisfaction rating of 4.41 out of 5, up from 4.02 in 2024. This is the first such survey designed to capture riders’ opinions about the new electric service, and it contains the best ratings in the survey’s 27-year history, according to Caltrain.
On-time train performance was a high point, with another score of 4.41, while improvements on board scored 4.42 and station improvements received 4.30, Caltrain said.
The regional/commuter railroad saw major improvements in fields such as:
According to Caltrain, 93% of riders said they were satisfied with their overall experience, up from 78% in 2024. Fifty-two percent of riders said they are riding more often due to the benefits of electrified service. The key benefits that riders were most likely to cite were shorter travel times (55%), increased frequency (52%), cleanliness (43%), comfort (42%) and onboard Wi-Fi (37%).
“These high ratings are reflected in Caltrain’s ridership, which as of last month had grown 57% year-over-year, with weekend ridership doubling,” the regional/commuter railroad said. Average weekday ridership, it noted, is now at approximately 41,000, with a total of 9.2 million riders in FY 2025.
The survey was conducted in May 2025 on board trains (weekdays and weekends) and online in English, Spanish, and Chinese to provide a representative sample of riders. There were 2,986 respondents. The next customer satisfaction survey is expected to occur in spring 2026, with results issued next fall.
Caltrain’s electrified service arrived two years later than planned. The regional/commuter railroad’s $2.4 billion Electrification Project upgraded and electrified its double-track system from the 4th and King Station in San Francisco to the Tamien Station in San Jose and replaced trains. Caltrain awarded Stadler a $551 million contract to supply 16 six-car EMUs in August 2016 with an option to extend these sets to seven-car trains exercised in December 2018. The 110-mph-capable trainsets were built at the manufacturer’s plant in Salt Lake City, and there are options worth $385 million under the original contract to supply up to 96 additional railcars. The EMUs replaced trains powered by F40 diesel locomotives—approximately 75% of Caltrain’s diesel fleet—which entered service in 1985. Its newer locomotives have been retained to operate the non-electrified Dumbarton extension and services south of Tamien.
Further Reading:
- Caltrain Celebrates First Anniversary of Electrified Service
- Caltrain Installs Digital Displays at South Santa Clara County Stations
- BLET, Caltrain Ratify New Contract
Denver RTD
Denver RTD is seeking feedback from riders, stakeholders, and the public to support the development of a plan that it said will improve transit services for high-volume events. The transit agency has launched a webpage for comments; it includes an overview of transit stops and stations serving major venues, trip-planning resources for customers, and the agency’s current approach to deploying service that supports high-volume events. Feedback will be collected through the end of December.
The webpage also has information on the Denver RTD Board’s resolution adopted on Oct. 28 to create a plan for high-volume event service. The resolution outlines several requirements for creating the plan, including the necessary staffing levels and financial resources, revenue projection estimates, sponsorship opportunities, and a marketing strategy, according to the transit agency, which noted that the plan will be finalized and shared in February 2026. If the plan is adopted, any approved operational adjustments or service level increases could begin as soon as May 2026.
“Every year, hundreds of events and activities take place around the Denver metro area,” said Patrick Preusser, Denver RTD’s Chief Operations Officer. “Millions of Coloradans and visitors attend these events, and we want to have a leading role in supporting their access and mobility. Whether it’s getting fans to the big game, music lovers to a much-anticipated concert, or families to a seasonal celebration, our mission is to make lives better through the connections we provide.”
Separately, Denver RTD recently announced that it is restricting advertisements on train windows.
Alstom
Alstom recently announced that it is seeking to fill nearly 120 positions at its railcar manufacturing plant in Plattsburgh, N.Y. The company said it is staffing up to produce 374 commuter railcars for NJT, one of its largest customers in North America.
Alstom will hold a job fair on Nov. 6 at the Plattsburgh facility, and is encouraging skilled, experienced job-seekers in assembly, crane operations, welding, and industrial painting to attend. All positions are full-time and include benefits, including health insurance, 401(k) contributions, and paid time off.
“We are happy to be entering such a strong growth phase and to continue to support the Adirondack region’s economy,” said Jeff Lambert, Managing Director of Alstom’s Plattsburgh plant.
Alstom employs more than 86,000 people around the world, including approximately 350 in Plattsburgh, which has served the Adirondack region since 1995. Plattsburgh is the “birthplace” of 4,000 cars for the MTA New York City subway; more than 1,000 cars for the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District; and hundreds of cars for the Chicago, Maryland and New Jersey transit systems.
