2 Days on the Rail, Part II: Obeserving Caltrain

For a basis of comparison I decided to try riding CalTrain for a day. CalTrains range in the Bay Area while smaller than BART, still offers a connection for many commuters living in San Francisco, and San Jose area.

In the past, I've only used CalTrain once before. Like BART, they offer padded seating for comfortable longer trips, room for bicycles, and seating for groups of people. Because rider ship is lower than on BART (many riders used CalTrain to connect to BART) I did not feel a whole day was needed, and focused on peak commuting hours.






The ride went as listed:
Monday, October 5th, 2009

2:45pm Hillsdale arrive 3:38pm San Jose
4:05 San Jose arrive 4:31 Redwood City (express train)
4:52 Redwood City arrive 5:05 Millbrae (express train)
5:14 Millbrae arrive 5:22 Hilldale

Throughout the observation, I switched cars, and train levels (caltrains has two levels of seating) to constantly keep observation fresh with different riders.

General Observations
During the afternoon hours, the Hillsdale station had about 15 passengers total waiting for either a north or southbound train to arrive. The station was was clean with minimal sign-age posted for safety. It included only no smoking, no skateboarding, and walk bike. These signs took no effect on passengers as there were a few who did all three while waiting for the train to arrive. Unlike BART, at no time was an announcement made, by a station agent, "calling out" offenders.

During the afternoon rides, cars had anywhere between 3 - 8 riders. The amount stayed study throughout the entire trip to San Jose. The majority of riders consisted of:

Students
Airport Travelers (San Jose)
Bicyclist Commuters

HILLSDALE (to San Jose)
On the train signage included: Emergency exit steps and no smoking. There were also pamphlets with safety information, and station information. Unlike BART, there was no advertising. Caltrain's seats were more compact, with less leg room. The padding on the seats was a vinyl with a cloth pattern on it. The vinyl probably allows for easier cleanup, which means less stains on the seats. The carpeting, however, was as equally dirty as BART. Overall, I feel less of an openness on the train, and less ability/ desire to lounge. Passengers kept to themselves, and were silent for this leg of the ride.
SAN CARLOS
Moved to the upper deck of the train. Here the seats are in a single row, giving more of a private feeling. More passengers group seating, putting feet on the chairs.

MOUNTAIN VIEW
A women spreads out across seats, and sleeps soundly. There is a person, in front of me eating chips. She puts them away as the ticket master comes by to see proof of purchased ride. Once he's out of eyesight, she resumes munching. The passenger is obviously aware that eating is prohibited on the train, but engages anyways.

w00t! I found $12.00 on an empty seat! That pays for today's ride.

When exiting the train, passengers all seem to do so in an orderly fashion. There is none on the pushing and shoving which is commonly seen on this BART. This could be because of the time of time, and low number of riders, or it could be because the level of etiquette on CalTrain is higher.

SAN JOSE (to Hillsdale)
After brief confusion at the San Jose station, I finally figure out where to go to catch a northbound train. Unknowingly, I board an express train that has limited stops, and goes no further than Redwood City. There are more students on this train, coming from the University. The seats are more communal, and fit up to 4 people.

While there are luggage racks on this train, passengers with bags still sit with their bags next to them, mostly on the seat beside them and some at their feet.

As the train begins to move the conductor makes an announcement, relaying the information about the trains destination and also includes a reminder to passengers to "please keep your planted firmly on the floor, not on the seats in front of you."
This simple and brief reminder proved effective as 2 riders did place remove their feet from the seats in front of them.

In my confusion, I get off at Redwood City, and wait almost an hour for the next train in hopes that it will take me directly to Hillsdale. The next train is another express train, which instead goes straight to Millbrae, never stopping at HIllsdale. I'm forced to travel there, and backtrack to the station I need to be at. The schedule at Caltrain is very difficult to read and understand; but that is another problem and another project.