Poll indicates strong support for Caltrain

A new poll of likely voters in Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Francisco counties in California indicates strong approval for Caltrain, the commuter-rail service that runs along the San Francisco Peninsula and into Silicon Valley.

Eight-two percent of respondents indicated a favorable view of the transit agency, while Caltrain riders — 84% of occasional riders and 91% of frequent passengers — indicated even stronger approval, Caltrain officials said in an press release.

The high support levels follow the launch of Caltrain's electric trains in September 2024, which have provided faster and more frequent service. EMC Research conducted a survey of 1,500 likely voters in Santa Clara, San Francisco and San Mateo Counties to gauge voter sentiment.

The poll results were presented to Caltrain’s Advocacy and Major Projects Committee this week. The survey was conducted Jan. 8-23.

Additionally, 73% of respondents were supportive of some need or a great need for public transit funding. Nearly two-thirds of respondents in San Francisco and San Mateo counties indicated they would support a Caltrain funding measure, with support at 65% and 63%, respectively.

A majority of voters polled in Santa Clara County also supported a Caltrain measure.

"These results show strong public support for transit funding and we as a region need to work together to find a way to make that a reality,” said Caltrain Chair Steve Heminger. “We must ensure that the promise of electric service is fulfilled, now and in the decades to come.”