Juneteenth 2023

June 7, 2023

Juneteenth is a holiday celebrated on June 19th each year in the United States. It commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and is a significant milestone in the country’s history. It symbolizes the end of chattel slavery in the United States, marking a turning point in the nation’s struggle for freedom and equality. It represents the recognition of the inherent rights and dignity of African Americans, who had endured centuries of bondage and oppression.

Additionally, Juneteenth serves as a reminder of the resilience, strength, and perseverance of African Americans throughout history. Despite the delayed news of their freedom, they embraced Juneteenth as a day of celebration and empowerment, using it as a platform to advocate for civil rights, equality, and social justice.

Take the Capitol Corridor to Juneteenth events near you:

Pride Month Events and Pride Drink Onboard 2023

Happy Pride Month! Pride Month is an annual celebration where we come together to honor and uplift the LGBTQ+ community. It serves as a powerful reminder that every individual deserves to live authentically, without fear, or prejudice. By celebrating Pride Month, we affirm our commitment to creating a world where love, respect, and inclusivity triumph over discrimination and bigotry.

Take the Capitol Corridor to the largest Pride celebrations in Northern California! Sit back, relax, and head to the Café Car for our special pride drink this month! Take advantage of our Take 5 for $5 deal and book your trip with friends and family today: https://www.capitolcorridor.org/take5/

Service Advisory: Martinez Station Temporarily Closed – REOPENED

May 11, 2023

——–UPDATE: May 14, 2023 – As of 9:41am this morning, Martinez Station is now reopened. Platforms have also reopened for use. Thank you for your patience.

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Martinez Station will be temporarily closed until Thursday, May 11, 2023 due to ongoing investigation and cleanup. HOWEVER, trains are currently using Ferry Street crossing in front of the Old Martinez Train Depot until Martinez Station reopens. Please listen for conductor’s announcements when boarding/offboarding at Martinez.

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CC Rail Mail: AAPI Month, Bike Month/ Bike to Wherever Day, Register for Corridor Conversations Webinar, Memorial Day Schedule, and MORE!

May 10, 2023

 

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, which recognizes the contributions and impacts by members from the community. Transportation plays a huge role in revitalizing, reshaping, and defining communities – especially when it comes to public transportation. Transportation is all about improving mobility, connecting people and places to each other, and making communities accessible.  The AAPI community has played a big role in improving public transportation and equity in today’s society.

Read more about the Transcontinental Railroad and AAPI events near you here

 

May is Bike Month and May 18 is Bike to Wherever Day

Bike Month is here! We are less than two weeks away from Bike to Wherever Day on May 18, and it’s time to find your Energizer Station. Bike to Wherever Day is a day for everyone, whether you’re bicycling to work, school, or even around your neighborhood. Stop by one of the East Bay’s 80+ Energizer Stations to get your free limited-edition canvas tote bag. You can find the full map and plan your route at BikeEastBay.org/BTWD.

 

Register for the Corridor Conversations Webinar!

On Thursday, May 18 at 12PM, join us for the Corridor Conversations webinar! At this free online event, members of the Capitol Corridor team, including Managing Director, Rob Padgette, will discuss Capitol Corridor service, upcoming plans, and be available to hear your feedback and comments.

Everyone is invited to participate – come prepared with your own questions, or simply listen and learn!

DETAILS:
When: Thursday, May 18, 2023 12:00 PM Pacific Time
Where: Virtually, through Zoom
Who: Open to the public

REGISTER HERE

*After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

 

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

 

Service News

Memorial Day Schedule

On Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, our trains and buses will operate according to the Weekend/Holiday schedule. Please plan ahead and see schedule here

 

May Special Drink: Margarita

Take advantage of the warmer weather and take the train to explore Northern California. Head to the Café Car and enjoy a refreshing margarita for only $5 this month!

Must present valid gov’t issued ID and be 21+ to purchase. Please drink responsibly.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2023

May 8, 2023

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, which recognizes the contributions and impacts by members from the community. Transportation plays a huge role in revitalizing, reshaping, and defining communities – especially when it comes to public transportation. Transportation is all about improving mobility, connecting people and places to each other, and making communities accessible.  The AAPI community has played a big role in improving public transportation and equity in today’s society.

 

The Unforgotten Heroes of the Transcontinental Railroad

The Gold Rush attracted many settlers to the US, but also persuaded Chinese workers to come for a better life and opportunity. From 1863 and 1869, roughly 15,000 Chinese workers helped build the Transcontinental Railroad, which connected the East Coast and West Coast of the United States, facilitating economic expansion. Chinese workers made up most of the workforce, working on roughly 700 miles of train tracks between Sacramento, California, and Promontory, Utah. By the 19th century, more than 2.5 million Chinese citizens had left their country and were hired in 1864 after a labor shortage threatened the railroad’s completion.

Even though many Chinese workers were offered a new opportunity, they worked under excruciating conditions. Chinese workers received 30-50 percent lower wages than whites for the same job, earning only $26 a month. They also had the most difficult and dangerous work, including tunneling and the use of explosives. This resulted in an eight-day strike in June 1867. The strike ended without pay parity after Central Pacific (employer) cut off food, transportation and supplies to the Chinese living in camps, but working conditions improved following the strike.

It is important to recognize the sacrifices and establishments of Chinese workers during this time. The Transcontinental Railroad would not have possible without them. They also established a strong Asian community in California, especially San Francisco. Chinese immigrants fought against discrimination for decades and created a better society for all Asian communities in the US.

Read about a story of how a Stanford student discovered that his ancestor, Lim Lip Hong, helped build the Central Pacific Railroad, the westernmost portion of the Transcontinental Railroad.

 

AAPI Events Near You:

To celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, take the Capitol Corridor to the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento! It is a short and easy walk from our Sacramento Station and features the Chinese Railroad Workers’ Experience. This permanent exhibit provides a glimpse of the Chinese workers who built the western portion of the nation’s first Transcontinental Railroad.

Visit Chinese Railroad Workers’ Experience web page here

 

Sacramento Station:

  • California State Railroad Museum: Chinese Railroad Workers’ Experience Exhibit
  • AAPI Night Market– Capitol Mall, May 19 from 6pm-10pm

 

San Francisco (Emeryville/Richmond Station)

 

Oakland Jack London

 

San Jose