SAN JOSE (KCBS) - On Thursday, Caltrain announced that its average weekday ridership has surpassed 50,000 passengers. That’s a first in the 150 year history of the railroad.

Additionally, Caltrain revealed that ridership for the month of June was well over 1 million, representing an 11% increase over June ridership a year ago.

KCBS’ Matt Bigler Reports:

“It’s easier for me because I can avoid the traffic and I can get to my place faster,” one rider at San Jose’s Diridon Station weighed in on the benefits of the rail service.

“I do find a seat,” she added, dispelling any notion that the trains were becoming too crowded.

But, given the surging popularity of the rail service, Caltrain said it now plans to restore 4 midday trains and 2 evening trains that were eliminated last year as a budget cutting measure.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)