Caltrain’s “test run” for Billie Eilish could be the first of many

On Monday, Caltrain announced that a special Billie Eilish-themed car will take fans to her shows in San Jose on December 10th and 11th. The car will be part of a southbound train that leaves San Francisco at 5:19 p.m. and arrives at San Jose Diridon Station, across from the SAP Center, at 6:18 p.m

Caltrain representative Dan Lieberman described the themed car as a “test run.” Last year, crowds en route to Eras Tour shows in Santa Clara turned southbound Caltrain cars (and an Amtrak line) into unofficial Swiftie Expresses. The rail industry is expecting a further increase in ridership this week and is ready to take part.

“Now that we’re electrified and Billie Eilish also has a strong message for sustainability and public transit, we thought we’d give it a try,” Lieberman told SFGATE. “And so far people seem really excited about it.”

The hour-long ride from San Francisco to San Jose resembles a PG-rated party bus on tracks. The interior of the car will be decorated, music will be played, and Caltrain will host a trivia contest with Billie Eilish and Caltrain merch as prizes. But above all, the wagon will be full of enthusiastic fans.

“When you go to a concert, that’s the attitude you want to have,” Lieberman said. “You want to get into the mood, you want to be around people who are passionate about the same thing.”

If the test run goes as Caltrain expects, such themed cars could become the norm, Lieberman said.