Media Contact: Harry Hamilton
(510) 238-2107
OAKLAND, CA (May 11, 2005) - Passenger service is scheduled to begin June 6th at the new Oakland Coliseum rail platform, making travel to sporting events, concerts, expos, and the Oakland International Airport easy. Located at 600 73rd Avenue, off of San Leandro Street, the new $6.6 million facility will be served by the Capitol Corridor with 12 trains daily. Passengers using the platform can easily walk to the Coliseum BART station, McAfee Coliseum or the Oakland Arena via an accessible ramp that connects to a pedestrian bridge.
"The Capitol Corridor service, which runs from Sacramento to San Jose, will enable visitors to take a train to games and events at McAfee Coliseum and the Oakland Arena," said Oakland City Councilmember Larry Reid (District 7 - East Oakland). "This additional transit option reduces the number of cars being driven to the Coliseum area, thereby reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality."
Three passenger shelters along the 450 foot-long platform protect patrons from the elements and an adjacent surface lot has 35 parking spaces. The facility has a sustainable storm water bio-filtration design.
A public art installation entitled "Bottom of the Ninth" enlivens the ramp that connects the platform with the pedestrian bridge. The artwork, created by Horace Washington, is comprised of 13 different sculptural figures playing baseball.
The Coliseum Intercity Rail Platform project was funded by the City of Oakland's Redevelopment Agency, California Department of Transportation, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority and Alameda County Congestion Management Agency.
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