Is BART faster than Caltrain?

Some people think that Caltrain is slower than BART. This perception was more common before Caltrain began running its “Baby Bullet” express service. In actuality, the average speeds of the two systems are about the same, about 34 mph (including stops), with BART slightly faster.



Whether BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) is "faster" than Caltrain depends on the specific route and the type of train service. BART has a higher top speed of 80 mph (typically 70 mph), whereas Caltrain locomotives traditionally max out at 79 mph. However, Caltrain’s "Baby Bullet" express service is often faster for long-distance travel between San Francisco and San Jose because it skips most intermediate stops, completing the journey in about 60 minutes. In contrast, BART is a high-frequency "metro" style system with more frequent stops, making it slower for long distances but much faster for traveling within the urban cores of San Francisco and Oakland. In 2026, the gap has narrowed significantly due to the Caltrain Electrification Project, which has introduced new electric trains with much faster acceleration and deceleration, allowing for more frequent and efficient service that rivals BART's "rapid transit" feel while maintaining superior long-range speeds.

People Also Ask

Fast, frequent, world-class This exciting project will create a transformative travel experience, with cruising speeds of 110 mph and departures every 15 minutes throughout the day. California's high-speed rail initiative has been essential to Caltrain improvements.

MORE DETAILS

The size of BART's fleet will be dynamic while new trains are put into service and old trains are retired. BART has 8 DMU train cars which each have a seating capacity of 104. 70 mph maximum; 35 mph average, including 20-second station stops. For BART to Antioch DMU trains, the maximum speed is 75 mph; 60 mph average.

MORE DETAILS

Taking BART, he noted, is also faster than driving the highly trafficked highways into San Francisco. “Being on BART makes me feel relieved. It's way more stressful driving,” he said. “It's tough commuting this far, but public transit makes it more manageable.”

MORE DETAILS

During peak commute times, over 28,000 passengers per hour travel through the tunnel with headways as short as 2.5 minutes. BART trains can reach their highest speeds in the tube, up to 80 miles per hour (129 km/h), although trains typically operate at 70 miles per hour (113 km/h) unless trying to recover from a delay.

MORE DETAILS

The Caltrain Express (CTX) project was implemented from 2002 to 2004 and led to the establishment of the Baby Bullet express service, which shortened the transit time between San Francisco and San Jose, and certain stations in between.

MORE DETAILS

Constructed in 57 sections, and reposing on the bay floor as deep as 135 feet beneath the surface, the remarkable $180 million structure took six years of toil and seismic studies to design, and less than three years to contract.

MORE DETAILS

Cars have a starting acceleration of 3.0 mph/s or 4.8 km/(h·s) and are capable of holding that acceleration up to 31 mph (50 km/h). Residual acceleration at 80 mph (130 km/h) is 0.78 mph/s or 1.26 km/(h·s). Braking rates range from 0.45 mph/s or 0.72 km/(h·s) up to 3.0 mph/s or 4.8 km/(h·s) (full service rate).

MORE DETAILS

BART requires separate tracks and infrastructure (because it runs on non-standard gauge tracks). To replace Caltrain with BART, all the Caltrain infrastructure would have to be removed and rail service would have to be shut down rail service for years during the construction period.

MORE DETAILS

No. They are different. BART is a subway, and Caltrain a commuter railway. Bart is slightly faster, more efficient, and generally cheaper.

MORE DETAILS

7) When on the train, find a seat and enjoy the ride. At least one restroom is available on every train (located in the northernmost car toward San Francisco).

MORE DETAILS

Paying with Clipper Always have $1.25 in cash value on your card, even if you have a pass. Caltrain accepts the following on a Clipper card: Cash value: Clipper customers get discounts on one-way fares (55 cents for adults, 15 cents for others).

MORE DETAILS

  • San Francisco. 15,427. 15,027.
  • Palo Alto. 7,764. 7,384.
  • San Jose Diridon. 4,876. 4,795.
  • Mountain View. 4,810. 4,560.
  • Redwood City. 4,212. 4,220.
  • Hillsdale. 3,229. 3,217.
  • Sunnyvale. 3,364. 3,208.
  • Millbrae. 3,340. 3,194.


MORE DETAILS

In celebration of BART's upcoming 50th anniversary on September 11, BART is offering a 50% discount for the entire month of September 2022. The reduced fare will be automatically deducted when using Clipper at the fare gates.

MORE DETAILS

Earthquake Safety Program The Transbay Tube is BART's most critical asset. Although the tube is structurally sound, in a very large and very rare earthquake, the outer shell and concrete liner are predicted to crack.

MORE DETAILS