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In 2021, Caltrain hired Lighthouse to provide strategic planning for its $2.44 billion Caltrain Modernization Program, which added positive train control systems and converted its main San Jose to San Francisco line from diesel to electric trains. With less than a year to project completion, the agency discovered increased construction costs had left them with an unexpected funding gap of approximately $600 million. Caltrain turned to Lighthouse for help.

Pivoting quickly, the Lighthouse team, led by Marian Lee, drew upon its strengths, creating a plan that identified funding opportunities and local and state leaders who might champion the project. Lighthouse then executed the plan, deploying a veteran team of proposal writers and lobbyists to leverage our relationships locally and at the state level. Within eight months and on deadline, Lighthouse was able to fill the gap. Full funding in place, Caltrain was able to successfully launch its fully electric service with 23 high performance seven-car trainsets on time in June 2025.

Arguably, this outcome would not have been possible in such a short timeframe by any other firm but Lighthouse or any other project manager than Marian. Unlike most project managers, we come with the political experience to know how to navigate the safest – and thus most efficient – route to success. Our legislative experience allowed us to avoid costly political landmines others would have missed, and we found the quickest path for Caltrain when time was of the essence. And with Lighthouse’s vast knowledge of the transit sector, we weren’t on a learning curve. We know transit and understand it, and we have the political language and connections necessary to have it heard by the right people in a way they can understand. We secured in eight months a positive outcome for Caltrain that would have easily taken a year or more by any other firm.