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Category: Press Releases

Capitol Corridor Restores Full Service for the First Time Since Pre-Pandemic

December 2, 2025
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OAKLAND, CA — December 2, 2025 — Capitol Corridor is officially back to full service, marking a major milestone in the region’s post-pandemic recovery. Beginning Monday, December 8, 2025, riders will see additional service, more travel flexibility, and improved reliability across the entire route. 

This service restoration brings the system to 15 weekday round trips (30 weekday trains and 22 weekend trains) returning the Capitol Corridor to pre-pandemic levels for the first time in more than five years. 

“This is a big moment for our riders and our communities,” said Rob Padgette, Managing Director, Capitol Corridor. “Returning to full service means better travel options and better reliability.” 

The schedule brings several improvements designed around rider feedback and travel patterns: 

  • Better on-time performance 
  • Later morning and evening trains 
  • Later weekend service between Sacramento and Roseville (SAC–RSV) 

With more trains and better spacing throughout the day, riders can expect easier connections, smoother trips, and more options for work, school, and events. 

For full schedule details, visit capitolcorridor.org. 

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 more than 1.13 million passengers annually. For more information, visit www.capitolcorridor.org.  

Contact:
Vernaé Graham, Capitol Corridor 

CAPITOL CORRIDOR MARKS TWO YEARS OF PET-FRIENDLY TRAVEL

November 21, 2025
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Oakland, CA, November 18, 2025 – The Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) is proud to celebrate the second anniversary of its pets onboard program, a popular service that continues to make train travel more enjoyable for passengers and their pets. 

Since launching in November 2023, the program has welcomed more than 2,200 pets onboard Capitol Corridor trains, generating $64,000 in revenue across its first two years. In FY25 alone, approximately 1,200 pets traveled with their humans, contributing more than $34,000 in revenue—a 20 percent increase in pet ridership and a 13 percent increase in revenue for this program compared to the previous year. 

“Our pet-friendly policy just turned two, and it’s been a huge success,” said Rob Padgette, Managing Director of the Capitol Corridor. “We continue to see steady growth in pet travel, which shows how much our riders value the ability to bring their companions along for the journey, especially during the holiday season.” 

The program has been well received by passengers, providing a convenient and affordable way to bring their small pets (cats and dogs) with them. For many riders, it has become an essential part of their travel routine, offering comfort, flexibility, and a shared sense of connection while riding Capitol Corridor.  

Pet Travel Policy Highlights 

  • $29 per pet (one-way) 
  • Pets under 20 pounds (dogs and cats only) 
  • One pet per reservation 
  • Advance online booking required 
  • Carrier size limit: 19″L x 14″W x 10″H 
  • Pets must remain in carrier under the seat for the duration of the trip 
  • Pets permitted in all train cars except the Quiet Car and Café Car 

For additional details and conditions, 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 more than 1.13 million passengers annually. For more information, visit www.capitolcorridor.org. 

Contact:
Vernaé Graham, Capitol Corridor 

Capitol Corridor Ridership Hits 1.13 million in FY2025

October 15, 2025
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Oakland, CA, October 15, 2025 – For the second consecutive year, the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) has surpassed the million-rider mark, reporting 1.13 million passengers in Fiscal Year 2025 (FY2025), a 10 percent increase over the previous year. This milestone reflects continued recovery and growth since before the pandemic, bringing Capitol Corridor closer to 2019 when ridership reached 1.8 million. 

“Hitting another million-rider milestone this year shows that our passengers continue to see real value in our service,” said Robert Padgette, Managing Director of CCJPA. “Whether commuting, attending special events, or exploring Northern California, more people are choosing the train because it’s convenient, sustainable, and enjoyable. We’re focused on building on this momentum and making every trip even better.”  

A key driver of this success continues with the popularity of Capitol Corridor’s special event trains to Levi’s Stadium, which carried more than 13,200 passengers to San Francisco 49ers home games and major concerts throughout the year. Increased weekday ridership also points to those passengers returning to in-person office work. 

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 

California Rail Safety Month Kicks Off in Davis with Partners United for Rail Safety

September 3, 2025
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Davis, Calif. (September 3, 2025) – The Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, in partnership with California Operation Lifesaver, Union Pacific Railroad, Amtrak, the City of Davis, Yolo County, and the California Northern Railroad, launched California Rail Safety Month today at the Davis Amtrak Station. The kickoff included a press conference and a Capitol Corridor train ride to Martinez, where officials and partners highlighted rail safety issues along the corridor.

“Rail Safety Month is very important to us here in Davis, where pedestrians and bicyclists are at the heart of our community’s micro mobility network,” said Davis Mayor Bapu Vaitla. “By prioritizing rail safety, we strengthen the connections that make Davis a safer, more accessible, and sustainable place for everyone.”

“Safety isn’t a one-time effort,” said Rob Padgette, Managing Director of the Capitol Corridor. “It’s an ongoing priority for our riders and the communities we serve. Thanks to federal and state investments, and through strong partnerships with the City of Davis and Yolo County, Union Pacific Railroad, Amtrak, and California Operation Lifesaver, we are making critical improvements along the right-of-way and at crossings.”

“Every near miss or rail-related tragedy is preventable,” said Nancy Sheehan-McCulloch, Executive Director of California Operation Lifesaver. “Rail Safety Month and See Tracks? Think Train Week are powerful reminders that making safe choices near tracks and trains saves lives.”

“Union Pacific cares about the communities we serve,” said Peggy Ygbuhay, Senior Director of Public Affairs at Union Pacific Railroad. “Rail Safety Month is a great time to reset habits – never try to beat a train and use designated crossings when walking over the tracks.”

“Rail safety starts with awareness,” said Amtrak Police Department Inspector Doug Calcagno. “Events like Rail Safety Month remind us that safety is a shared responsibility. Together, we can reduce incidents and empower individuals to stay safe near tracks and trains.”

California Rail Safety Month, established by the Legislature in 2009, continues throughout September with statewide safety campaigns, outreach events, and Operation Lifesaver’s national See Tracks? Think Train! Week from September 15–21.

 

Capitol Corridor Board Advances Link21 as Standard-Gauge Rail Project and Takes Over Day-to-Day Management

June 19, 2025
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Oakland, CA – June 19, 2025 — The Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) Board of Directors has voted to advance the Link21 Program as a standard-gauge rail project and will assume responsibility for the program’s day-to-day management, in coordination with the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA). This milestone follows the BART Board’s vote last week to support the same direction, signaling a unified commitment to a more connected and modern rail network for Northern California.

“Taking on the day-to-day management of Link21 positions Capitol Corridor to ensure strong regional coordination, local engagement, and program momentum,” said Rob Padgette, Managing Director of CCJPA. “We are honored to help move this visionary project forward in partnership with BART, CalSTA, and many other regional and state partners.”

At the center of Link21 is a new transbay rail crossing between Oakland and San Francisco, which will improve mobility, increase rail capacity, and support statewide connectivity with zero-emission passenger trains. The decision to use standard-gauge tracks—compatible with most regional and intercity rail systems—aligns with California’s long-term vision for an integrated, statewide passenger rail network.

In the coming years, CCJPA and its partners will define a proposed project for the new crossing, advance environmental review, and continue public engagement and technical analysis. A funding and implementation strategy will also be developed in collaboration with state and federal agencies, including pursuing support through the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID) Program.

Link21 is included in major regional and statewide plans, including the California State Rail Plan and Plan Bay Area 2050. The program aims to transform travel throughout the Northern California Megaregion by expanding rail options, reducing emissions, and strengthening economic connections.

About CCJPA and Capitol Corridor®
Managed by the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA), the Capitol Corridor is an intercity rail service connecting Northern California’s most economically dynamic regions, from Sacramento to Silicon Valley, including major hubs like San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley. Serving more than one million passengers annually, Capitol Corridor offers a reliable and comfortable alternative to driving on congested freeways. For more information, visit www.capitolcorridor.org.  

Contact:
Vernaé Graham, Capitol Corridor