BART, voted the Number 1 transit system in the country, has been selected to manage the Capitol Corridor intercity rail service for a five-year term.
The 16 member Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority Board represents 8 counties along the 170-mile rail corridor serving Placer, Sacramento, Yolo, Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties. The Capitol Corridor is the only locally managed Amtrak service in the nation. The route parallels both the I-80/I-680 and I-880 corridors in segments from Auburn, in the Sierra foothills, through Sacramento to Oakland and Silicon Valley/San Jose. An extensive, dedicated motorcoach network provides bus connections to the train from more distant parts of the state. Together, the system serves the second-largest urban service area in the Western United States.
Started in 1991 by the State of California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the Capitol Corridor has clearly established itself as a vital component in Northern California's system of transport, and now ranks as the third busiest Amtrak-operated route in the country.
A full time dedicated staff of 11 San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) employees provides the day-to-day management for this service. Under contract with the CCJPA, Amtrak operates and maintains the trains and feeder bus service.
BART was originally selected as managing agency by the CCJPA in February of 1999, for an initial term of 3 years. In 2002, that term was extended for another three years until February 2005. This most recent selection means that BART will continue to serve as the CCJPA's managing agency through February 2010.
BART General Manager Tom Margro noted that renewal of the Capitol Corridor managing agreement "reaffirms BART's position as a key regional rail provider in Northern California and provides a true compliment to Gene Skoropowski and his team of dedicated BART professionals who manage the railroad service. We are very proud of what have accomplished, working with Caltrans, Amtrak, Union Pacific, our member agencies, and riders."
The Capitol Corridor route has achieved remarkable success, accomplishing six consecutive years of ridership growth.
BART's operational management of the Capitol Corridor service for the CCJPA commenced October 1, 1998, and during the initial six years, service levels improved 200%, ridership improved 152%, revenues improved 110% and fare box recovery improved 30%.
The Capitol Corridor began service in December of 1991 under management by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). In July 1998, the management of the service was transferred to the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA), who has managed the route for the last nine years. CCJPA oversees the service with day-to-day management support from the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART). The CCJPA partners with Amtrak, Union Pacific Railroad, Caltrans and the communities comprising the CCJPA to offer frequent, cost-effective, viable and safe intercity passenger rail service.
Capitol Corridor intercity rail serves 17 stations along a 170-mile rail corridor, and offers a convenient way to travel between the Sierra Foothills, Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley/San Jose. For information call 1-877-9-RIDECC.
Media Contact: Priscilla Kalugdan, Marketing Manager
Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority
(510) 464-6992