By: Mikayla Ho, Staff Writer and Emily Wu, Staff Writer

On August 11 of this year, CalTrain launched its all-electric trains to enhance eco-friendliness across the state and allow individuals to travel with more ease and reliability. 

CalTrain is a California rail line serving from 4th King Street in San Francisco through San Jose’s Tamien station. High schoolers benefit from ticket fares as one-way youth tickets are discounted at one dollar.

Our names are Mikayla and Emily and on October 13th, we went to experience the new electric trains. 

The process of boarding the train was quick and easy. The moment the train arrived, we were able to get on without a rush, plus the train was also on time.

Teachers at Mills also use CalTrain as an efficient way to commute. Mike DeBois, a Science Department teacher, has been taking the trains on weekdays for the past four years.

On being questioned why he takes CalTrain, DeBois explains, “I think it’s more convenient than driving, because you can kind of just get on the train and do whatever you want, […] driving is stressful, so I just prefer the ease of the train and then I get to walk.”

Noting the switch to electric, DeBois mentioned the change of schedule. “Technically the service is supposed to be more reliable, but because of all the heat that’s been happening recently, they’ve been having to slow the trains down, so there’s been some disruptions. But overall, it’s a much better system, much cleaner, much nicer.”

Throughout the ride, we found it to be smooth although there were sudden stops. The interior was kept clean, alongside comfortable seating with sturdy tables. During our ride, there weren’t many passengers on board, but with the popularity of CalTrain, it seems that the trains are mostly used on weekdays.

A notable concern for us was security; while cameras were present, youth tickets could be purchased without ID. On the train, no one had approached us to verify if we had bought tickets.

Throughout the years, DeBois has faced many delays at the station. “The only one [problem] you run into consistently is when the train is late,” he says.

Mr. Alex Lira, a Social Science Department teacher, has been taking Caltrain since 2014, riding his bike to the Sunnyvale station to take the train. Like DeBois, he also noticed several inconsistencies with the new system.

“A transformer blew in San Mateo on the first full day, delaying trains by an hour. And the battery died since the train I was on was stalled for an hour with the air conditioner running,” Mr. Lira said. “In the mornings, trains are late because the electric train has to wait for the Gilroy train to arrive in San Jose, people to deboard, walk over to the new train, and board,” he explained.

Mr. Lira also expressed concerns about the bike section’s need for more space. He commented that the bike car was smaller, causing continuous overcrowding. 

Despite occasional disruptions, DeBois and Mr. Lira highly recommended riding CalTrain for its stable environment. 

Based on our experience, CalTrain isn’t the most reliable option for high schoolers, but it’s convenient for those who work far away. While public transportation can often feel uneasy, CalTrain offers a secure atmosphere, allowing all ages to enjoy a productive ride.