A new set of more comfortable trains are on their way to the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission facility in Stockton, according to Caltrans.
The first of seven Siemens Mobility single-level intercity trains has already arrived to run on the San Joaquin rail corridor between Sacramento/Oakland and Bakersfield.
“With train ridership recovering from the pandemic drop, these new trainsets will provide Californians with enhanced comfort and convenience as they move around the state,” Caltrans director Tony Tavares said in an announcement.
The trains are equipped with bigger windows and modern interiors with features such as enhanced onboard Wi-Fi, USB ports and coach cars that seat up to 70 passengers.
“These trainsets were designed with Californians in mind, both in terms of job creation here in Sacramento and next-generation passenger rail throughout the state,” said Michael Cahill, president of Siemens Mobility Rolling Stock in North America. “Together with Caltrans, we’ve created a trainset that is both safe and modern to keep passengers connected and on the move.”
An official start date for the trains to begin service has not been announced.
Victoria Franco is a reporter based in Stockton covering San Joaquin County for Bay City News Foundation and its nonprofit news site Local News Matters. She is a Report for America corps member.
