Commuter rail services in the United States and Canada provide common carrier passenger transportation along railway tracks, with scheduled service on fixed routes on a non-reservation basis primarily for short distance (local) travel between a central business district and adjacent suburbs and regional travel between cities of a conurbation. It does not include urban heavy rail or light rail service.

Commuter rail operators often sell reduced fare multiple-trip tickets (such as a monthly or weekly pass), charge specific station-to-station fares, and have one or two stations in the central business district.

Many commuter railways offer service only during peak times, and on a round-trip basis. For example, West Coast Express only runs trains into Vancouver during the morning rush hour and out to the suburbs in the evening. This mode of operation is in many cases simplified by ending the train with a special passenger carriage (sometimes referred to as a 'cab coach'), which has an operating cab attached to the end and can remotely control the locomotive so as to avoid having to turn the train around at each end of its route. Other systems avoid the issue entirely by using bi-directional multiple units.

Commuter trains are typically connected to metro or bus services both at their destination and along their route to extend the range of accessibility. Some, such as GO Transit in the Greater Toronto Area, run bus services in tandem with their passenger trains.

Commuter trains are usually powered by diesel-electric or electric locomotives, or in some cases use self-contained multiple units. Electric power in some instances is transmitted via third rail or overhead wire and catenary. Electric power is often favoured where it is available due to quicker acceleration, lower noise, and less air-quality issues. Electric power and even more so multiple-unit trains are, however, much less common than on European railways.

Diesel-electric locomotives based on the EMD F40PH design as well as the F59PHI are popular commuter motive power. Gallery cars made by Nippon Sharyo, Budd, or Kawasaki are common rolling stock, as are Bombardier's BiLevel coaches.

Most commuter rail services in North America are operated by agencies of government entities or quasi-governmental organisations. Some share the tracks or rights-of-way used by Amtrak, VIA Rail, freight trains, or other commuter services. The 600 mile-long electrified Northeast Corridor in the United States is shared by commuter trains and Amtrak's Acela Express, Regional, and intercity trains.

List of U.S. and Canadian commuter rail operators

There are 21 commuter rail systems in the United States and Canada. They are:

External link

• Commuter Railroads

See also

• List of suburban and commuter rail systems
• Regional rail
• Northeast Corridor
• Transit (transportation)
• Public transport