The people behind the wheel: Michelle Bouchard’s story, Caltrain

Can you tell us a bit about your role at Caltrain?

I have the pleasure to serve as Caltrain‘s Executive Director. In this role, I get to work with very talented staff to manage the dynamic Caltrain rail service which operates between San Francisco and San Jose in the San Francisco Bay Area.

What inspired you to seek a career in the transport industry?

My family has a long history in the airlines so I always knew I would be doing something in transport. I’m a planner by education and knew that providing access for individuals to jobs, services, school and special events was important to me. I just happened to fall into a job at Caltrain and I’ve been here since 2000.

Have you experienced any challenges in your role and, if yes, how have you overcome them?

Everyday represents a challenge in this job. The question is, how do you deal with it? I’ve had the advantage of having several mentors and extraordinary colleagues that I can depend on to help me reason through challenges that present themselves.  I’m often asked if being a woman in this role presents unique challenges. I think the answer is yes, given how this is typically a male dominated industry.  I Believe the cream always rises to the top. It’s just important to do your job. And the rest will speak for itself.

Has a career in rail changed your perception of the industry as a whole?

I’m not sure that it has changed my perspective. I am constantly amazed at the dedication of my colleagues who are working in very challenging circumstances, particularly given the impacts of COVID to the industry.

What would be the top three highlights of your career in the industry to date?

In no particular order:

• The completion and launch of Caltrain electrification
• Being selected as Caltrain’s first ever Executive Director
• The launch of the Baby Bullet service on the Peninsula in 2004.

Credit: Caltrain

What key pieces of advice would you give to someone who is interested in a career in rail?

Do it.  Be interested, ask questions and give 100%.

How do you see innovation shaping your role and the rail industry in the next five years?

We are in the final stages of transforming into an innovative new model of electrified service, providing a faster, greener, quieter and more modern form of public transportation than we ever have before. With new features like on-board Wi-Fi and digital displays, we have entirely new tools for communicating with our passengers. Automated passenger counters will help us to better understand travel patterns so we can adapt to better meet our passengers’ needs.  And all this is in service of a train that can quickly get up to speed so more people can travel along the peninsula more efficiently than ever before. Seeing the myriad benefits of this innovative new service first-hand, it seems clear to me that our fellow rail agencies throughout the country will be following suit in adopting new technologies and establishing rail as a premier mode of transportation.

In the future, what technological advancements do you hope to see become more commonplace in the rail industry workforce?

The conversion to electrified rail has been a transformative project that Caltrain is on the cusp of completing. I have been lucky enough to ride on our next generation of trains, and it was a wonderful experience I’m excited to soon share with the riding public. It is my hope that our success in adapting to a new, more sustainable electrified model will help spur other agencies to follow suit.

Suppose you were tasked with solving one of the biggest challenges in the rail industry today using cutting-edge technology. What challenge would you address, and what innovative solution would you propose?

There are so many challenges. One that is on my mind today is how we can get super efficient about track maintenance and inspection, given the need to expand our operating windows.

In an ideal world, how do you envision the future of rail evolving?

Caltrain’s Electrification Project will be the first in a series of big developments in California’s rail system, with the Portal moving forward in expanding rail service deeper into the heart of San Francisco, while California High Speed Rail continues to build out its corridor. I wouldn’t be surprised if, a decade from now, we’re looking at a state better connected by rail than any time in its history, thanks to faster modernised service. It is my hope that this will redefine how many people look at rail, not as something from our past, but rather as an ongoing legacy that continues to serve the public’s needs to explore and connect.