The railroad that stops at Broadway and Burlingame Avenue earned a national safety certificate for the second year in a row.

Caltrain received a certificate of merit for the American Public Transportation Association's Rail Safety Award, the agency announced Friday, July 17. Last year, Caltrain won gold for APTA's Commuter Rail Safety Award.

The back-to-back recognition comes during a stretch of rapid change on the corridor. Caltrain completed its conversion from diesel to electric trains in 2024 after 70 years of diesel service, and APTA named it the fastest-growing transit system in the country in 2025. The electrification overhauled operations across all 32 stations between San Francisco and San Jose, including the two Burlingame stops used daily by local commuters.

APTA presented awards to 10 transit agencies at its Rail Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. Winners were judged on the effectiveness, innovation, and transferability of their safety practices, according to the association.

"Safety is a core value at Caltrain, and one that we embrace at every level of our organization," Executive Director Michelle Bouchard said in the announcement. "We will continue to improve and enhance our corridor to ensure our trains operate safely for the people who depend on them."

APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas said the awards recognize transit employees who work to protect passengers and the communities they serve.

This year's certificate of merit is a step below the gold Caltrain took home in 2025, but the consecutive selections place the Peninsula railroad among a small group of agencies recognized nationally for safety performance. Caltrain is owned and operated by the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, led by Bouchard.