Caltrain Trying To Keep Up With New Riders
SAN MATEO (CBS SF) -- Caltrain's ridership is up 14-percent over last year, and the transit agency is trying to keep up with a new kind of rider that doesn't fit their typical profile.
"I would say more of a cosmopolitan rider," Caltrain Spokesperson Christine Dunn said.
A recent survey revealed that the average Caltrain rider in 2014 is most likely young, white, college educated, and well paid – earning $117-thousand a year.
"They want to be able to live and work near transit. They want to make transit a part of their lives. This is a changing shift in the way Americans live," Dunn said.
The percentage of Caltrain riders bringing bikes on the trains has shot up 20-percent over the last year.
Some Caltrain riders like Rick Henrikson purposely move close to stations, and tell KPIX 5 they prefer the train over driving.
"Oh yeah, definitely. Until we get self-driving cars," he said.
Caltrain says it's focused on electrifying its rail, which is expected to improve the experience for riders, and accommodate more passengers.
