CalSTA awarded $42 Million to CCJPA and Its Partners, Sign Up for Tap2Ride, Renewable Diesels, Earth Month, Placerville Service Advisory and MORE!

April 28, 2023
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Capitol Corridor Awarded $42 Million From California State Transportation Agency

We are thrilled to announce the California State Transportation Agency awarded $42 million dollars to Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) and its partners to help enhance access and connections in Northern California! Special thanks to California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin for his support and advocacy.

Read more here

 

Tap2Ride Pilot Program 

You’re invited to experience the Capitol Corridor’s Tap2Ride Pilot Program, our new contactless payment system!

We are selecting approximately 200 frequent riders to be part of the pilot program and provide feedback. Participants will receive exclusive discounts, like $1 off one-way 10-ride pass pricing and FREE rides after completing 6 one-way trips.

Check out our step-by-step guide on how to sign up, register your card, and use our new contactless payment pilot system. Watch here!

Sign up to participate and register your card here: https://www.capitolcorridor.org/tap2ride

 

 

CAPITOL CORRIDOR BACKGROUNDS FOR VIRTUAL HANGOUTS

Capitol Corridor Scores Big Win in the Race to Combat Climate Change

A more sustainable fuel made from renewable raw materials will soon run rail fleets in California! Capitol Corridor and San Joaquin’s intercity passenger rail services will achieve their goal to run their entire fleets on renewable diesel by end of May 2023. The transition will begin on May 8, at the Oakland Maintenance Facility when the renewable diesel tank is slated for delivery.

Read more here

 

 

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 on Earth Month, and every day, consider riding Capitol Corridor to work or exploring a new area of Northern California.

Why Public Transportation is Important

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% 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 can promoted the longevity of our environment.

Check out our latest blog for Earth Day events near you!

 

Take 5 for $5 this Spring!

Take advantage of this beautiful weather and take the train to explore Northern California! Buy one full-fare ticket, take up to five more riders for only $5 each-way. Head to Old Town Sacramento or San Francisco to catch a baseball game!

Please book one day in advance to redeem promotion and only valid Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Book here

 

Service Advisory banner

Placerville Station II Park-and-Ride Construction Effective on April 17, 2023

Starting Monday, April 17, 2023, construction will take place at the Placerville Station II Park-and-Ride bus stop and is expected to be completed by July 2023.

For the first phase of the project, the El Dorado Trail will be closed due to construction along Mosquito Road from the trail side. Pedestrians will be detoured through the existing bus station. Buses will continue to enter from Clay Street to pick up passengers and will be detoured through the gravel lot and exit on Locust Ave. Traffic control setup will be used for at least the first 2 weeks of construction.

We do not expect this construction project to impact bus schedules; however, we will temporarily relocate the bus stop at some point during construction. We will provide updates and signals to assist riders in the future.

Read more here

Capitol Corridor Awarded $42 million from California State Transportation Agency

April 25, 2023
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Funds will support projects to create and improve access to intercity rail, connecting transit, and local communities

OAKLAND, CALIF., April 25, 2023— California STA yesterday announced the state awarded $42 million dollars to the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) and its partners to help enhance access and connections to the system. The $42 million comes from the state’s Transit Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) – the CCJPA’s funded projects amount to two of 28 projects that received funds.

This TIRCP funding award allows CCJPA and its partners to unlock megaregional travel potential. These projects are all part of the Capitol Corridor Emerging Market Access Program (EMAP)—projects that invest in the growing communities along the route, to improve access to and modernize the service. “Passenger rail cannot be stagnant—we need to continually improve and update service throughout the region to support climate change goals and to promote better transportation choices,” said CCJPA Chair Robert Raburn.

California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin made the announcement on behalf of Governor Gavin Newsom at a news conference in Santa Cruz on Monday.

CA Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin and CCJPA Deputy Director Leo Sanchez on board a Capitol Corridor train.
CA Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin and CCJPA Deputy Director Leo Sanchez on board a Capitol Corridor train. Photo credit: Annmarie Wong, CCJPA

“As the Capitol Corridor services continue to rebound and evolve to meet the traveling public’s needs, it’s our goal to keep the Capitol Corridor accessible, modern, and connected to Northern California communities,” added CCJPA Managing Director Rob Padgette.

CCJPA and its partners’ funded projects include fully funding the Sacramento Valley Station (SVS) Transit Center multimodal access improvements, expansion of contactless EMV readers to support payments on connecting buses, design of multimodal transit facility Hercules Hub, and Sacramento-Roseville Third Track, netting an award of $30.9 million. Together, these projects aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 161,000 metric tons of CO2 (MTCO2e).

Included in the TIRCP award is $11.3 million in funding for the Link21 Megaregional Rail Program–a plan to transform Northern California’s rail network into a faster, more connected system. The funding will be used for the Design and Environment Advancement Phases 1 and 2 of the Link21 program.

TIRCP funds are used to integrate transit services and ensure they reduce climate impacts. They are instrumental as discretionary grants to leverage state funds to obtain federal infrastructure funding.

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-i 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

Capitol Corridor scores big win in the race to combat climate change

April 22, 2023
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A more sustainable fuel made from renewable raw materials will soon run rail fleets in California

Oakland, CA, April 22, 2023 – Capitol Corridor and San Joaquins intercity passenger rail services will achieve their goal to run their entire fleets on renewable diesel by end of May 2023. The transition will begin on May 8, at the Oakland Maintenance Facility when the renewable diesel tank is slated for delivery.

“The successful testing of renewable diesel to run locomotives was spearheaded by Capitol Corridor and as a result, intercity passenger rail services throughout California will soon run on cleaner fuel,” Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) Chair Robert Raburn said. CCJPA is the entity that manages Northern California’s intercity passenger rail service. “The project was a collaborative effort of statewide partners committed to advance California’s goal of zero emissions,” Raburn added.

What is Renewable Diesel (RD)?

RD is chemically similar to fossil diesel but made from renewable raw materials such as used cooking oil, not crude oil. Because RD is produced by utilizing the already existing carbon stored in the renewable raw materials in nature, when the fuel is combusted, the carbon dioxide it emits is not considered as adding new carbon to the atmosphere. The use of fossil diesel, on the contrary, releases new carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. Other emissions, such as fine particulates and nitrogen oxides may also be reduced through the use of renewable diesel, which improves local air quality.

State and federal partners collaborate to find new fuel source for California passenger rail

“CCJPA initiated the exploration of alternative fuel options in collaboration with the California Air Resources Board (CARB),” Robert Padgette, CCJPA Managing Director said. “The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) stepped up to fund the testing and worked with the passenger rail equipment manufacturers to ensure the efficacy of the new fuel source. CalSTA also worked with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to obtain official certification” Robert Padgette, CCJPA Managing Director added.

Transitioning from polluting fuels to a more sustainable option is aimed to reduce a fleet’s environmental impact, but it is an effort that takes technical expertise, funding as well as regional and federal oversight. To protect public health, the EPA has stringent standards to reduce fine particles and other harmful emissions from locomotive engines as well as the fuel trains use.

California Intercity Passenger Rail services team up for cleaner air

Soon passenger rail travelers throughout California will know their trips are helping to combat climate change and air pollution as other rail services will soon fuel their entire fleets with RD.

“Switching to renewable diesel has been a strategic initiative for the San Joaquins,” Brian Schmidt, Director of Equipment Services at the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) said. “SJJPA would like to thank CCJPA for its leadership in converting our shared fleet to renewable diesel. Our collective commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions has taken a large step forward.”

”As we implement on our Climate Commitment, we welcome new ways to support Amtrak trains in California – including the 170-mile long Capitol Corridor route,” said Jeanne Cantu. Amtrak Vice President, California. “We are thrilled that the pilot’s success allows us to operate on renewable diesel resulting in fewer lifecycle emissions throughout California.”

Testing partnership showcases the potential for rail industry to swap to renewable diesel

CCJPA, worked with Amtrak, fuel distributor RD contractor Western States Oil, and RD producer Neste, world’s leading producer of RD, to successfully complete testing of Neste MY Renewable Diesel™ in August 2022. RD certification followed in November 2022. Neste MY Renewable Diesel is fully compatible with all diesel engines and current diesel fuel distribution infrastructure, so Capitol Corridor did not need any extra investments or modifications to make the switch. Made from sustainably sourced, 100% renewable raw materials, Neste MY Renewable Diesel can reduce up to 75% of GHG emissions over its life cycle compared to fossil diesel.*

“We are thrilled to help Capitol Corridor complete the testing of Neste MY Renewable Diesel in their locomotive,” says Carrie Song, Vice President, Americas from Renewable Road Transportation business unit at Neste. “Renewable diesel is a solution available already today to reduce GHG emissions from all diesel engines. This testing showcases the potential of using renewable diesel to combat climate change for the rail industry.”

*Per Neste sources, the GHG emission reduction varies depending on the region-specific legislation that provides the methodology for the calculations (e.g. EU RED II 2018/2001/EU for Europe and US California LCFS for the US), and the raw material mix used to manufacture the product for each market.

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-i 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 capitolcorridor.org.

About the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA)

Since July 2015, SJJPA has been responsible for the management and administration of Amtrak San Joaquins. SJJPA is governed by Board Members representing each of the ten (10) Member Agencies along the 365-mile San Joaquins Corridor. For more information on SJJPA see www.sjjpa.com. Amtrak San Joaquins is Amtrak’s 6th busiest route with 1 million annual riders and 18 stations providing a safe, comfortable and reliable way to travel throughout California. Prior to service modifications due to the COVID-19 crisis, Amtrak San Joaquins operated 7 daily train round-trips and its Thruway buses provided connecting service to over 100 destinations in California and Nevada including Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Napa Valley, Las Vegas and Reno. To book your next trip, visit www.AmtrakSanJoaquins.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.

Contacts:
Priscilla Kalugdan

Earth Day 2023

April 21, 2023
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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 today on Earth Day, and every day, consider riding Capitol Corridor to work or exploring a new area of Northern California.

Why Public Transportation is Important

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. Less than 5% of Californians commute by transit and 19% 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 can promote the longevity of our environment.

 

Earth Day Events

Take the train the celebrate Earth Day in Northern California and the Bay Area! Skip the traffic/parking hassles and learn more about how you can make a difference. Whether it’s taking public transportation or using energy efficient appliances, we can help climate change one step at a time.

Sacramento Station:

Sacramento Earth Day Festival

– April 23, 2023, at Southside Park, Sacramento, 11:00am-4:00pm
The ECOS-hosted Sacramento Earth Day is the largest Earth Day celebration in the Sacramento region. It’s free, and it provides thousands of attendees with information on sustainability. This year’s theme is GROW NATIVE.
More information here

 

Davis Station:

The World Earth Festival

– May 12-14, 2023 at the UC Davis Quad, Friday: 12pm-10pm, Saturday: 10am-10pm, Sunday: 10am-6pm
The Whole Earth Festival began in 1969 as a small art class project (“Art Happening”) on the UC Davis Quad. The students used art to teach visitors about the realms of activism, wellness, and environmental sustainability in an interactive and creative way.
More information here

 

Martinez Station:

John Muir Birthday and Earth Day Celebration

– April 22 · 10am – 4pm, John Muir National Historic Site
A wonderful fun filled family day in the sun, at the grounds of the John Muir National Historic Site, which includes his 1880s Victorian home and an authentic 1849 Mexican Adobe, along with his orchards and vineyard. There will be food and live music along with many displays relating to history, ecology, and nature.
More information here

 

San Francisco (Emeryville/Richmond Station):

Earth Day San Francisco

– April 22, 2023. 11am-6pm, located on 9th Avenue and Lincoln Way, at the County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park!
Come to San Francisco’s annual Earth Day celebration, as we continue to raise awareness of the environmental and social issues effecting our planet. This beloved and renowned street fair entertains while inspiring people to make more creative and sustainable choices in the way they live their lives.
More information here

Ferry Building Earth Day Activities

– Sunday April 23rd from 10:00am – 4:00pm
Join us in the Marketplace for a ‘Ferry Family Day’ of kids and family activities! Make a ‘Grow Buddy’ using soil and seeds, upcycle everyday objects to create new works of art, and paint stones to give as gifts or leave your mark in the park.
More information here

 

Oakland Jack London Station:

Earth Day Celebration

– Jack London Square on Saturday, April 22nd, from 11am – 1pm
During the event, attendees will receive a FREE mini Earth Day planting kit (while supplies last) located at the redemption table in the plaza near Plank and will enjoy photo opportunities with an Earth Day themed backdrop.
More information here

 

San Jose Diridon Station:

Earth Day: Water Conservation Discussion, Performance, and Film Screening

– Saturday, April 22: 1pm- 3pm, Chopsticks Alley Art Gallery
Join the AAPI Community for a screening of “A Fleeting Moment,” an animation film, performance, and discussion on water conservation to celebrate Earth Day.
More information here

Placerville Station II Park-and-Ride Construction Effective on April 17, 2023

April 14, 2023
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Starting Monday, April 17, 2023, construction will take place at the Placerville Station II Park-and-Ride bus stop and is expected to be completed by July 2023.

For the first phase of the project, the El Dorado Trail will be closed due to construction along Mosquito Road from the trail side. Pedestrians will be detoured through the existing bus station. Buses will continue to enter from Clay Street to pick up passengers and will be detoured through the gravel lot and exit on Locust Ave. Traffic control setup will be used for at least the first 2 weeks of construction.

We do not expect this construction project to impact bus schedules; however, we will temporarily relocate the bus stop at some point during construction. We will provide updates and signals to assist riders in the future.