Bicyclists using Caltrain will now have a lot easier time securing a seat for the commute to work.

The regional rail operator recently completed a $300,000 project — six months early — that assures every train in service will have two cars specifically available for bike storage. In the past, some Caltrain lines only had one car for bikes, resulting in limited space for cyclists to store their wares. If the bike train was filled, passengers using bikes had no choice but to wait for the next train with available spots for two-wheelers.

The number of bicyclists taking Caltrain has risen steadily in the last several years. Currently, 3,600 of the agency’s 40,000 daily riders take their bikes on Caltrain.

Caltrain’s older Gallery-car trains will now be able to carry 80 bikes for each run, while the agency’s newer, Bombardier cars will have capacity for 48 bikes. Since most of the agency’s trains are comprised of Gallery cars, 70 percent of Caltrain’s lines will be able to carry up to 80 bikes.

wreisman@sfexaminer.com