CC Rail Mail: Sierras Bus Connections: Expect Delays 11/22-26

November 25, 2024

Important Notice for Capitol Corridor Passengers Traveling Through the Sierras – November 22–26, 2024

Due to stormy weather conditions in the Sierras, passengers using bus connections should anticipate delays.

Bus Operations and Weather Update:

Friday, November 22, and Saturday, November 23: Normal operations are planned for routes on Highways 50 and 80 between Sacramento and Reno or South Lake Tahoe, though delays are expected.

Sunday, November 24–Tuesday, November 26: A second wave of storms is forecasted, potentially causing significant disruptions, including lengthy delays or suspension of service.

Passengers are encouraged to monitor updates on the Capitol Corridor or Amtrak websites or apps and allow extra time for travel. Your safety is our priority, and we appreciate your patience during these weather-related disruptions.

Capitol Corridor Marks First Anniversary of Pets Onboard Program

November 22, 2024

Oakland, CA, November 22, 2024 – The Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) is proud to celebrate the first anniversary of its Pets Onboard program, a popular initiative launched in November 2023 just in time for the Thanksgiving travel season. Over the past year, more than 1,000 pets have traveled with their owners onboard Capitol Corridor trains, generating more than $30,000 in revenue.

“We are delighted by the enthusiastic response to our Pets Onboard program,” said Rob Padgette, Managing Director of Capitol Corridor. “It’s heartening to see how this service has enhanced the travel experience for so many of our passengers by allowing them to bring their furry companions along. We’re grateful to Amtrak for their collaboration in bringing this highly requested service to life.”

The program has been well-received by passengers, offering a convenient and affordable way to bring small pets along for the journey. With the holiday season underway, the Capitol Corridor looks forward to continuing this popular service, allowing families and their four-legged friends to travel together.

Pet Travel Policy

$29 per pet (one-way)
Pets under 20 pounds (dogs and cats, only)
One pet per reservation
Pet travel must be booked online in advance
Pet must remain in carrier onboard
Carrier size: 19’Lx14’W x10”H
Pets must remain in carrier onboard with carrier under the seat
Pets allowed in all train cars, except the Quiet Car, and the Café car

For additional conditions of the pet travel policy, visit capitolcorridor.org/pets.

About CCJPA and the Capitol Corridor®
Managed by the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA), the Capitol Corridor is an intercity rail service that connects Northern California’s most economically vibrant urban centers, from Sacramento to Silicon Valley, including San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley. With free Wi-Fi onboard, Capitol Corridor trains offer a convenient, reliable, and comfortable alternative to the region’s congested freeways. The service now transports over one million passengers annually. For more information, visit www.capitolcorridor.org.

Contact:
Vernaé Graham, Capitol Corridor

Thanksgiving Service

November 4, 2024

In anticipation of the busiest travel week of the year, the Capitol Corridor is prepared to accommodate Thanksgiving travelers with extra equipment and additional capacity.  We encourage you to plan–ahead and book early.

Capitol Corridor service will run according to the Weekend/Holiday Schedule on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28, as well as the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 29. 

CARRY-ON BAGGAGE POLICY CHANGE
Amtrak Carry-On Baggage Policy will change, limiting passengers to ONE (1) personal item. Passengers can still bring two carry-on items aboard the train. As a reminder, Capitol Corridor does not offer checked baggage on this route. Learn more here.

CARRY-ON PET PROGRAM
Cats and dogs under 20lbs are welcome on Capitol Corridor. Your pet must always travel in a carrier, which counts as one piece of carry-on baggage. Booking needs to happen in advance and only one pet reservation is allowed per customer. Pets cannot be booked with multi-ride tickets, bus connections or with unaccompanied minors. Learn more about our policy here.

DEALS & PROMOTIONS 
Visit our Deals page for information about all the ways you can save on the Capitol Corridor.   Take advantage of our daily BOGO (buy one get one free), Friends & Family, Student and Senior promotions.

CONTACTLESS TICKETING 
The easiest way to purchase your ticket is online from our website, www.capitolcorridor.org, or the Amtrak app. After boarding, simply open the ticket on your smartphone and present it to the conductor to scan. 

 ONBOARD AMENITIES 
All Capitol Corridor trains feature spacious and comfortable seating and offer a wide variety of amenities, including free Wi-Fi, electrical outlets in each row, bike/luggage racks, and an on-board Café Car with snacks and beverages. 

STAY CONNECTED 
Route and fare information, ticketing and reservations are available at capitolcorridor.org or via the Amtrak app. 

For service updates, news, and promotions, passengers can connect directly with the Capitol Corridor by signing up for news and alerts or following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @CapitolCorridor. 

Capitol Corridor Awarded $20 Million for Rail Safety Enhancements

October 29, 2024

Oakland, CA – October 29, 2024 – Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) announced today it has been awarded $20 million from the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, which will be matched with $5 million from the California State Transportation Agency’s (CalSTA) Strategic Rail Assistance (SRA) Program. These combined funds will strengthen rail safety along the Capitol Corridor route at high-priority locations in Solano, Contra Costa, and Alameda Counties, as part of the Right-of-Way Safety Improvement Program.

“Safety is always our top priority, and this $20 million investment will make a meaningful impact to the safety of our corridor,” said Robert Padgette, Managing Director of CCJPA. “These improvements will help prevent fatalities, injuries, and service disruptions, making the corridor safer and more reliable for passengers and the communities we serve.”

“We express our appreciation to Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration for their dedication to supporting safety initiatives along our corridor,” said CCJPA Board Chair, Robert Raburn. “Our passengers will benefit from this partnership as we continue our commitment to service improvements.”

The CRISI funds will support CCJPA’s Right-of-Way (ROW) Safety Improvement Program, which seeks to reduce trespassing and minimize delays caused by unauthorized access to the tracks. The project target’s high-risk locations along the route responsible for 67% of Capitol Corridor’s safety incidents, including 59 fatalities since 2016. Planned improvements include installing 17 miles of new security fencing along the Union Pacific Railroad’s (UPRR) right-of-way. These enhancements will significantly reduce the risk of trespassing-related fatalities and injuries, creating safer conditions for both the public and railroad employees.

Contact: Vernaé Graham, Capitol Corridor

Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority Receives $14 Million from Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) 2024 Awards

October 25, 2024

Oakland, CA – October 25, 2024 – The Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) is proud to announce it has been awarded $14 million from the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) 2024 awards by the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA). The funds will support the construction of three key project components that will enhance intercity and regional rail, improve bus services, and strengthen active transportation connections. These improvements, are designed to reduce delays, improve connectivity, and enhance the travel experience for Capitol Corridor passengers and surrounding communities.

“With this funding, we’re ready to implement multiple improvements in Santa Clara that will strengthen the reliability of service south of Oakland,” said Robert Padgette, Managing Director of the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority. “These projects will help Capitol Corridor to deliver quality service to our riders, boost our on-time performance, and help our passengers connect to other services throughout the region.”

The three project components are:

Santa Clara Interlocking: Construction of a crossover on the Coast Subdivision, north of Santa Clara – University Station. This will reduce the incidence and duration of delays for Capitol Corridor and Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) around this operational chokepoint.
Agnew Siding: Construction of an additional track just south of Santa Clara – Great America Station, adjacent to Levi’s Stadium. This project will improve Capitol Corridor and ACE reliability and reduce locomotive idling. This siding will also provide a storage location for trainsets and allow CCJPA to provide enhanced special train service.
Sacramento Valley Station (SVS) – Railyards Western Connector: Construction of an extension of Bercut Drive in the Railyards District to connect pedestrians and cyclists with the SVS Westside Tunnel, allowing for better connectivity between the Railyards, SVS transit options, and downtown Sacramento for sports, shopping, and entertainment events.

These Capitol Corridor investments align with TIRCP’s goal to reduce Greenhouse Gas levels, via transformative capital improvements that modernize the State’s transit system and reduce emissions, vehicle miles traveled, and congestion by offering more reliable and timely transit connections.