Californians for Electric Rail
@calelectricrail.org
Bringing together transit riders, environmentalists, and union members for fast, clean, safe catenary electric regional, intercity, and freight rail in California. #CatenaryNow #ElectrifyMetrolink
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Funding is a major, underappreciated contributor to the high construction costs and long timelines that hold back electrification. In our new policy paper, Against Patchwork Funding, we propose a smarter way to fund rail: Multi-year Investment Frameworks. 🧵 calelectricrail.org/against-patc...
Why are construction costs exploding faster than inflation? Because use of consultants is skyrocketing, even though in-house staff save 6x their cost.
But CA High Speed Rail bucks the trend, with staff/consultant ratios flipped since a 2018 audit called out understaffing. #JustTransitionForCaltrans
But CA High Speed Rail bucks the trend, with staff/consultant ratios flipped since a 2018 audit called out understaffing. #JustTransitionForCaltrans
February 9, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Why are construction costs exploding faster than inflation? Because use of consultants is skyrocketing, even though in-house staff save 6x their cost.
But CA High Speed Rail bucks the trend, with staff/consultant ratios flipped since a 2018 audit called out understaffing. #JustTransitionForCaltrans
But CA High Speed Rail bucks the trend, with staff/consultant ratios flipped since a 2018 audit called out understaffing. #JustTransitionForCaltrans
CA is reserving $165M for unproven Tesla trucks, while reserving $0 for proven overhead electrification of freight rail. Misplaced priorities!
"Nevertheless, the reservation of vouchers effectively limited access to funding for other manufacturers with production-ready electric trucks, as HVIP operates on a first-come, first-served basis and funding rounds are typically oversubscribed within days."
Always frustrating.
Always frustrating.
$165m at stake: California backs Tesla Semi before series production - electrive.com
California’s clean-truck incentive programme has reserved around $165 million for the Tesla Semi, even though the electric truck has yet to enter series
www.electrive.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:30 PM
CA is reserving $165M for unproven Tesla trucks, while reserving $0 for proven overhead electrification of freight rail. Misplaced priorities!
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
CA's climate+air regulators present their support of Tesla as the only way to decarbonize freight - but they're ignoring the state's freight rail system, which could take a huge bite out of the problem at a fraction the cost, while supporting passenger rail infrastructure!
h/t @niedermeyer.online
h/t @niedermeyer.online
"Nevertheless, the reservation of vouchers effectively limited access to funding for other manufacturers with production-ready electric trucks, as HVIP operates on a first-come, first-served basis and funding rounds are typically oversubscribed within days."
Always frustrating.
Always frustrating.
$165m at stake: California backs Tesla Semi before series production - electrive.com
California’s clean-truck incentive programme has reserved around $165 million for the Tesla Semi, even though the electric truck has yet to enter series
www.electrive.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:24 PM
CA's climate+air regulators present their support of Tesla as the only way to decarbonize freight - but they're ignoring the state's freight rail system, which could take a huge bite out of the problem at a fraction the cost, while supporting passenger rail infrastructure!
h/t @niedermeyer.online
h/t @niedermeyer.online
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
Very excited to say that the stars have aligned and NYU Marron/Transit Costs Project have landed a grant that will fund a second edition of Momentum, which will apply the high-throughput framework to major regional rail networks beyond the NY area.
Our three big new cases:
- NJT
- SEPTA
- METRA
Our three big new cases:
- NJT
- SEPTA
- METRA
The NYU-Marron report on electrification is out: It pairs electrification and other components to develop a high-throughput infrastructure design framework, which slashes time off of existing commuter and inter-city passenger rail services. We call it Momentum -- transitcosts.com/wp-content/u...
February 9, 2026 at 4:33 PM
Very excited to say that the stars have aligned and NYU Marron/Transit Costs Project have landed a grant that will fund a second edition of Momentum, which will apply the high-throughput framework to major regional rail networks beyond the NY area.
Our three big new cases:
- NJT
- SEPTA
- METRA
Our three big new cases:
- NJT
- SEPTA
- METRA
While many of you are likely yelling "GO PATRIOTS" or "GO SEAHAWKS", I'm yelling "GO CALTRAIN and electric rail!"
#Superbowl2026SantaClara
#Superbowl2026SantaClara
February 8, 2026 at 11:07 PM
While many of you are likely yelling "GO PATRIOTS" or "GO SEAHAWKS", I'm yelling "GO CALTRAIN and electric rail!"
#Superbowl2026SantaClara
#Superbowl2026SantaClara
America is experiencing the joys of brand new, fast, frequent, electric rail this Super Bowl weekend. Who will next be inspired by Caltrain? #Superbowl2026
I feel like I'm on a local train in Switzerland going to Carnivalle. People are all going to a place they are looking forward to, in a great mood.
Imagine all these folks on the road. After the party.
Imagine all these folks on the road. After the party.
February 8, 2026 at 3:16 AM
America is experiencing the joys of brand new, fast, frequent, electric rail this Super Bowl weekend. Who will next be inspired by Caltrain? #Superbowl2026
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
Super Bowl weekend is here and traffic is picking up! Avoid traffic, and ride with us! 🏈🌴♥️
February 6, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Super Bowl weekend is here and traffic is picking up! Avoid traffic, and ride with us! 🏈🌴♥️
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
My northbound Caltrain is just packed. Almost every seat taken. Folks having a great time. Lots of first time riders commenting how nice it is, how driving sucks comparatively. 💯
February 7, 2026 at 11:53 PM
My northbound Caltrain is just packed. Almost every seat taken. Folks having a great time. Lots of first time riders commenting how nice it is, how driving sucks comparatively. 💯
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
Don't let transit go backward. Join us with Connect Bay Area at Lake Merritt TOMORROW MORNING to start collecting signatures to reinvest in buses & BART.
RSVP luma.com/q9in3rvd
RSVP luma.com/q9in3rvd
Signature Gathering at Lake Merritt Amphitheater with East Bay for Everyone · Luma
Join us and East Bay for Everyone to gather signatures for Connect Bay Area, the five-county regional transit funding measure! Everyone is welcome.
We will…
luma.com
February 7, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Don't let transit go backward. Join us with Connect Bay Area at Lake Merritt TOMORROW MORNING to start collecting signatures to reinvest in buses & BART.
RSVP luma.com/q9in3rvd
RSVP luma.com/q9in3rvd
Hey SBCTA, it's time to commit to electrifying the San Bernardino Line!
I've got an op-ed in several papers across the Inland Empire today electrifying Metrolink service between Los Angeles and San Bernardino. It would make everyone's life a lot better and we are dumb not to do it.
Metrolink electrification would boost efficiency and reduce pollution
Metrolink can follow Caltrain’s success and not only deliver faster, more efficient train service for the region, but give struggling cities along the line a shot in the arm.
www.pressenterprise.com
February 7, 2026 at 9:55 PM
Hey SBCTA, it's time to commit to electrifying the San Bernardino Line!
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
I've got an op-ed in several papers across the Inland Empire today electrifying Metrolink service between Los Angeles and San Bernardino. It would make everyone's life a lot better and we are dumb not to do it.
Metrolink electrification would boost efficiency and reduce pollution
Metrolink can follow Caltrain’s success and not only deliver faster, more efficient train service for the region, but give struggling cities along the line a shot in the arm.
www.pressenterprise.com
February 7, 2026 at 9:00 PM
I've got an op-ed in several papers across the Inland Empire today electrifying Metrolink service between Los Angeles and San Bernardino. It would make everyone's life a lot better and we are dumb not to do it.
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
Regional rail connects people and communities by fast, frequent, and affordable trains throughout the day.
NER and SEPTA footage courtesy of Stephen Hudgins
#regionalrail #trains #highspeedrail
NER and SEPTA footage courtesy of Stephen Hudgins
#regionalrail #trains #highspeedrail
February 4, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Regional rail connects people and communities by fast, frequent, and affordable trains throughout the day.
NER and SEPTA footage courtesy of Stephen Hudgins
#regionalrail #trains #highspeedrail
NER and SEPTA footage courtesy of Stephen Hudgins
#regionalrail #trains #highspeedrail
Want to "improve travel times" on CA's congested highways? Invest in regional rail, not more lanes. We've got lots of underfunded State Rail Plan projects just sitting there...
Highway Projects Still Grab Biggest Share as California OK’s Nearly $1B in State Transportation Funding
But Transit and Active Transportation Get Boosts Too...
cal.streetsblog.org/2026/02/05/h...
But Transit and Active Transportation Get Boosts Too...
cal.streetsblog.org/2026/02/05/h...
Highway Projects Still Grab Biggest Share as California OK’s Nearly $1B in State Transportation Funding - Streetsblog California
But Transit and Active Transportation Get Boosts Too...
cal.streetsblog.org
February 6, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Want to "improve travel times" on CA's congested highways? Invest in regional rail, not more lanes. We've got lots of underfunded State Rail Plan projects just sitting there...
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
You can borrow my shovel LFG
Sacramento deserves a regional rail system. What would it take to build it?
February 6, 2026 at 10:20 PM
You can borrow my shovel LFG
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
Sacramento has had 3 major freeway widenings within the decade, I-5, I-80, US-50 (which is extra over budget and delayed and lane splitting that killed a lot of people).
I have to run the numbers but it’s over $1B on more freeway lanes. Glad we declared a climate emergency
I have to run the numbers but it’s over $1B on more freeway lanes. Glad we declared a climate emergency
Sacramento deserves a regional rail system. What would it take to build it?
February 6, 2026 at 10:13 PM
Sacramento has had 3 major freeway widenings within the decade, I-5, I-80, US-50 (which is extra over budget and delayed and lane splitting that killed a lot of people).
I have to run the numbers but it’s over $1B on more freeway lanes. Glad we declared a climate emergency
I have to run the numbers but it’s over $1B on more freeway lanes. Glad we declared a climate emergency
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
Exciting to see tracks being laid in the Central Valley. We all want high speed rail sooner, but I try not to get too jaded and remember how amazing it will be when it's online. I mean, are we really going to still be tooting around on Southwest flights in 2050?
February 6, 2026 at 9:55 PM
Exciting to see tracks being laid in the Central Valley. We all want high speed rail sooner, but I try not to get too jaded and remember how amazing it will be when it's online. I mean, are we really going to still be tooting around on Southwest flights in 2050?
Sacramento deserves a regional rail system. What would it take to build it?
February 6, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Sacramento deserves a regional rail system. What would it take to build it?
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
BNSF wants to build a MASSIVE railyard in Barstow to support a freight shuttle service from the ports to Barstow. This is the perfect opportunity to electrify the route - but their EIR dismisses electrification with the same tired excuses. We set them straight: calelectricrail.org/wp-content/u...
February 4, 2026 at 4:51 PM
BNSF wants to build a MASSIVE railyard in Barstow to support a freight shuttle service from the ports to Barstow. This is the perfect opportunity to electrify the route - but their EIR dismisses electrification with the same tired excuses. We set them straight: calelectricrail.org/wp-content/u...
Los Angeles is having a record-breaking heat wave - 87F in February! Climate change doesn't wait for your lawsuit, budget gap, or permitting delay; we need to build electric rail faster.
www.latimes.com/california/s...
www.latimes.com/california/s...
L.A. simmers under 'dramatic' winter heat wave. How long will it last?
Several daily temperature records were broken Wednesday as highs across the Los Angeles Basin reached the upper 80s, with the heat felt even along the coast.
www.latimes.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Los Angeles is having a record-breaking heat wave - 87F in February! Climate change doesn't wait for your lawsuit, budget gap, or permitting delay; we need to build electric rail faster.
www.latimes.com/california/s...
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Consultants are taking Coachella Valley Rail to the cleaners. We need a #JustTransitionForCaltrans to do this work in house and build more trains.
The answer: spending millions on consultants to do things like cost estimating or routine environmental work that can be done by Caltrans for less. CV rail might be a one-off for RCTC, but CA will build dozens of projects like it in the State Rail Plan. We need to build this capacity in-house.
February 5, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Consultants are taking Coachella Valley Rail to the cleaners. We need a #JustTransitionForCaltrans to do this work in house and build more trains.
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
The answer: spending millions on consultants to do things like cost estimating or routine environmental work that can be done by Caltrans for less. CV rail might be a one-off for RCTC, but CA will build dozens of projects like it in the State Rail Plan. We need to build this capacity in-house.
February 4, 2026 at 5:18 PM
The answer: spending millions on consultants to do things like cost estimating or routine environmental work that can be done by Caltrans for less. CV rail might be a one-off for RCTC, but CA will build dozens of projects like it in the State Rail Plan. We need to build this capacity in-house.
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
This would be a great opportunity to use a CEQA lawsuit for good
BNSF wants to build a MASSIVE railyard in Barstow to support a freight shuttle service from the ports to Barstow. This is the perfect opportunity to electrify the route - but their EIR dismisses electrification with the same tired excuses. We set them straight: calelectricrail.org/wp-content/u...
February 4, 2026 at 6:10 PM
This would be a great opportunity to use a CEQA lawsuit for good
It's great that Coachella Valley Rail to Palm Springs is moving forward, but why does it cost $80 million for environmental review of a conventional rail project on existing right of way? www.rctc.org/coachella-va...
Coachella Valley Rail Advances to Next Stop as Commission Approves $80 Million for Environmental Study - Riverside County Transportation Commission
CV Rail project moves into next phase of environmental work
www.rctc.org
February 4, 2026 at 5:10 PM
It's great that Coachella Valley Rail to Palm Springs is moving forward, but why does it cost $80 million for environmental review of a conventional rail project on existing right of way? www.rctc.org/coachella-va...
Happy #TransitEquityDay! Proud to support transit access by fighting for fast, frequent, zero emissions electrified rail around the state.
Metrolink and most other regional rail services are free today. Give it a try!
Metrolink and most other regional rail services are free today. Give it a try!
February 4, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Happy #TransitEquityDay! Proud to support transit access by fighting for fast, frequent, zero emissions electrified rail around the state.
Metrolink and most other regional rail services are free today. Give it a try!
Metrolink and most other regional rail services are free today. Give it a try!
Reposted by Californians for Electric Rail
MetroLink was originally engineered to include electrification for air quality reasons!
In Riverside, Metrolink trains run alongside BNSF's busiest main line, where riders and trackside residents are exposed to pollution from dozens of diesel trains a day. Electrification from Fullerton to SB could improve passenger and freight service and clean up the air for all. #ElectrifyMetrolink
February 4, 2026 at 4:49 PM
MetroLink was originally engineered to include electrification for air quality reasons!