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Message to Riders: April 2024

April 29, 2024

Dear Riders,

It has been a busy three months since we last shared our FY2023 accomplishments and first quarter of FY2024 developments with you. I’m pleased to report that Capitol Corridor’s ridership continues to rebound, growing closer to pre-pandemic numbers. Recently, we surpassed the 1 million ridership mark for the previous 12 months (Trailing 12 Months, TTM, a term for data collected from the past 12 consecutive months. This data differs from fiscal year reporting).

In January, we asked for your input regarding our FY2024-25 & FY2025-26 Business Plan. We appreciated the overwhelming feedback we received and are addressing some of your suggestions that will ultimately improve your traveling experience. We thank you for choosing to ride our service and the role you play in its success.

Updates

We are once again encouraging passengers to consider traveling on Trains 536 and 540 to alleviate crowds on Train 538. We are offering 50 percent off café items on Trains 536 and 540 now through May 31. If you decide to ride Train 538, please be sure to place your bags under your seat or in the overhead compartment, keeping the seat next to you free for someone else. And please make room at the tables for four, so everyone has a comfortable ride home. While we hate to see trains so crowded that we run short of seats, we are fortunate to have this “problem” again.

Bicycle Capacity – With more passengers using bikes and scooters for the first and last mile connection, we ask that you securely store them in the lower-level bike storage area of the train. Please avoid leaving your bike in the aisles or vestibules. Additionally, electronic bike lockers are available at stations along the route for a nominal fee. For more information, please visit our bikes page.

Travel Planning Apps – In the previous Message to Riders, I mentioned that we launched real-time train information (GTFS-Realtime feeds) available to riders through their favorite travel planning apps. It now includes Google Maps, as well as Transit App, and Moovit. In the future, complete GTFS-Realtime feeds will allow passengers to view train locations, trip updates, and service alerts all in one place.

First-Time Riders – We recently updated our online First-Time Rider guide, adding more video content to help first-time and regular riders navigate and learn helpful tips about our service. And coming soon at your request, we are developing new onboard first-time rider posters. We hope these posters and online tips will help enhance the first-time rider’s overall experience. Please share these links with your friends and family that have an interest in taking the train but might be a little intimidated to give it a try.

Special Offers/Activities

Buy One, Get One Free (BOGO) – In March, we launched a new promotion allowing you to purchase one full-fare ticket and get another companion ticket for free. This promotion runs through Labor Day and is only available on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays.
On Wednesday, May 8, Capitol Corridor will host “Cappy Hour” with discounted beverages on all trains traveling between 3:00 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Levi’s® Stadium – Kick-off of Levi’s Stadium Summer Concert Series with Luke Combs is around the corner, Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18. We encourage you to take advantage of the late-night train after the concert, leaving Santa Clara Station at 11:30 p.m. Visit our website for more information.

A friendly reminder to please be vigilant and aware of your surroundings when traveling through train stations, on platforms, and onboard our trains. If you see something that doesn’t seem like it belongs, please say something to Capitol Corridor, Amtrak personnel, call Amtrak Police or 911. For other safety tips, please review our Rail Safety and Security page.

In closing, if you’re a first-time rider, we welcome you aboard the Capitol Corridor. Let us know your thoughts about your first trip. Your input is essential to our success.

CC Rail Mail: Earth Day, Track Your Train in Real Time, Corridor Conversations Webinar, Cappy Hour, and MORE!

April 15, 2024

Every Day is Earth Day

This Earth Day, it’s important for everyone to appreciate this beautiful world. Our daily choices can have a huge impact on the health and well-being of both ourselves, and our planet. So during Earth Month, and every day, consider riding Capitol Corridor to work or exploring a new area of Northern California.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is one of the seven greenhouse gases the Air Resources Board (ARB) is responsible to monitor and regulate in order to reduce emissions. Transportation is the single largest source of CO2 in California, which is primarily comprised of on-road travel. Only 2% of travelers commute by transit in California and 12% commute by transit in the Bay Area. By taking the train, your travel is 31% more efficient than a passenger car. These small actions can inspire others to do the same, which in turn promotes increased environmental longevity.

GTFS
Track Your Train in Real Time!

Recently, Capitol Corridor took a big leap forward in helping riders get the train status information they need, right where they are. By making real-time train status available on third-party travel planning mobile apps that show live train location on a map as well as ETAs for upcoming train stations, riders get the information they need right at their fingertips. Apps that now show Capitol Corridor live status include: Transit App, Moovit, and Google Maps.

Union Pacific Track Work CANCELLED

April 12, 2024

UPDATE 4/17/24
Track work has been CANCELLED between Fremont and San Jose stations on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Train service will operate as scheduled.

We will provide updates for the next scheduled track work.

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4/12/24
Due to track work to be performed by Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR), Capitol Corridor trains will not operate between Fremont and San Jose stations on Saturday, April 20, 2024, from 4am-4pm. Passengers are advised to take the BART Orange Line (Richmond-Berryessa) at Richmond/Oakland Coliseum stations to San Jose, and VTA between Berryessa and San Jose Diridon.

Train service will continue to operate as scheduled between Auburn and Fremont stations. Trains 747 and 748 will operate full service as scheduled.

Thank you for your patience!

Homepage

Real-Time Tracking with Capitol Corridor

April 8, 2024

When traveling, a common question riders ask is, “Where’s my train?” Whether trains are on schedule or delayed, riders need up-to-date status information to be reassured of a smooth journey, or, in the event of a delay, to make alternative travel plans.

This latest enhancement is a result of our California Passenger Information Display System (CalPIDS) Modernization project, resulting in future station platform sign updates. As part of this project, Capitol Corridor launched real time train information via GTFS Realtime feeds that are available to app developers via 511 San Francisco Bay’s Open Data Portal, which serves as a central depository and distributor of transit data within the San Francisco Bay Area. GTFS Realtime is an extension to GTFS, an open data format for public transportation schedules and associated geographic information.

You can find more information on GTFS Transit and our Developer Resources page.

Capitol Corridor riders are sure to find the new train location and ETA information helpful for their journeys. Please note that the initial GTFS-Realtime feeds do not include connecting bus information or service alerts at this time, but these will be added as new GTFS Realtime feeds in the future.

CCJPA’S MANAGING DIRECTOR, ROBERT PADGETTE, APPOINTED BY THE SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD TO THE ‘FIRST-EVER’ PASSENGER RAIL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

April 3, 2024

Oakland, CA, April 3, 2023 – Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) proudly announces the appointment of its Managing Director, Robert Padgette, to the Surface Transportation Board (STB)’s newly formed Passenger Rail Advisory Committee (PRAC).

“I am truly honored by this appointment to join a group of esteemed rail industry leaders,” said Padgette. “I look forward to serving alongside them, examining the multifaceted issues impacting passenger rail systems nationwide for years to come.”

Padgette was selected by Chairman Martin J. Oberman to fill the seat for an At-Large representative, a three-year term through March 2027.

The PRAC’s activities include providing information, advice, and recommendations to the Board on issues impacting the development and operations of passenger rail services, including: improving efficiency on passenger rail routes; reducing disputes between passenger rail carriers and freight rail hosts regarding the use of freight-owned facilities and infrastructure for passenger service, including passenger on-time performance issues; and improving regulatory processes related to intercity passenger rail to the benefit of the public, the communities served by passenger rail, and the environment. The PRAC meetings will be open to the public. – Surface Transportation Board.

About CCJPA and the Capitol Corridor®`
Managed by the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA), the Capitol Corridor is an intercity rail service connecting the most economically vibrant urban centers in Northern California – from Sacramento to Silicon Valley, and including San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley. With free Wi-Fi on board, Capitol Corridor trains provide a convenient, reliable, and comfortable alternative to the congested I-80, I-680, and I-880 freeways for more than 700,000 passengers a year. For more information, visit www.capitolcorridor.org.

Contact: Vernaé Graham, Capitol Corridor