Caltrain Trying To Keep Up With New Riders

SAN MATEO (CBS SF) -- Caltrain's ridership is up 14-percent over last year, and the transit agency is trying to keep up with a new kind of rider that doesn't fit their typical profile.

"I would say more of a cosmopolitan rider," Caltrain Spokesperson Christine Dunn said.

A recent survey revealed that the average Caltrain rider in 2014 is most likely young, white, college educated, and well paid – earning $117-thousand a year.

"They want to be able to live and work near transit. They want to make transit a part of their lives. This is a changing shift in the way Americans live," Dunn said.

The percentage of Caltrain riders bringing bikes on the trains has shot up 20-percent over the last year.

Some Caltrain riders like Rick Henrikson purposely move close to stations, and tell KPIX 5 they prefer the train over driving.

"Oh yeah, definitely. Until we get self-driving cars," he said.

Caltrain says it's focused on electrifying its rail, which is expected to improve the experience for riders, and accommodate more passengers.

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