Get on Board!

MESSAGE TO RIDERS: OCTOBER 2023

October 13, 2023

Dear Riders,

We have news on many fronts! We are renewing our commitment to communicate more frequently with our passengers. Below are a few highlights of what’s been happening since my last message to you. Our ridership is steadily on the rise. In the recently completed fiscal year ridership is expected to exceed 900,000, up more than 30 percent from the previous year. Although this is positive news, ridership and revenue is running more than 40 percent below pre-pandemic levels which is having an impact on our fiscal health. We are focused on identifying ways to reduce costs while maintaining a high-quality service.

As our business continues to recover in this post pandemic world; we are encouraged by the number of new riders discovering the joys of traveling by rail and previous riders re-engaging with our service. We know some of you are starting to experience crowding on select trains. My team is working hard to monitor ridership and carefully allocate our limited equipment to make your trips as comfortable as possible. We do expect additional equipment in early 2024, so please hang in there! We appreciate your patience.

Major Grant Awarded

Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) recently received significant funding, a $42.51 million Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant Award by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to complete Phase 1 of the Sacramento to Roseville Third Track project. When the capital improvements are completed in 2029, we will be able to run two additional roundtrips between Sacramento and Roseville. This funding represents the first federal investment in our service since 2009 and the first expansion of it since 2006. We’re excited to bring train riders of Placer County more frequencies and better connections. I would like to thank all our partners for their ongoing support of this project.

Special Event Trains

Special events are back! We can attribute some of our ridership increase to our special trains to and from Levi’s Stadium for summer concerts including Taylor Swift (July), Beyoncé (August), and Ed Sheeran (September). The number of riders who traveled to all these concerts was quite impressive. Swift fans (Swifties) created their own onboard experience while traveling to the concert, producing some of the busiest trains since the beginning of the pandemic – more than 2,000 trips. While Swift performed shows on a Friday and Saturday night, Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran were single-day events. For the Beyoncé concert, we carried 1,000 more passengers than on a normal weekday. By taking the train, concert goers avoided the hassle of driving in and around Levi’s Stadium and saved quite a few dollars on parking fees.

The San Francisco 49ers football season is underway and ridership to the first home games is off to a good start. We look forward to serving 49er fans and all football fans to Levi’s Stadium throughout the fall. Riders can enjoy free Wi-Fi, spacious restrooms, comfortable seats, and a Café Car, with specialty drinks.

Special Offers/Activities

To alleviate crowds on Train 538, we encourage those traveling between Oakland and Sacramento to consider Train 540 which runs just a half hour later. You’ll find a lot more room and we’re sweetening the deal by offering 50 percent off café items on Train 540 for the month of October. If you must 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.

Please join us for the next “Corridor Conversations” webinar on Tuesday, October 17 at 12:00 p.m. This lunchtime forum gives us a way to hear from you. It features the CCJPA staff and guests from organizations along our route. Come with your questions and comments.
On Wednesday, October 25, Capitol Corridor will host “Cappy Hour” with discounted beverages on all trains traveling between 3:00 p.m. and 7 p.m.

In closing, please stay tuned for an exciting new onboard amenity coming later this fall! We think you’ll like it! Thanks again for making the Capitol Corridor service your first transportation option.

See you on the train,

Rob Padgette,
Managing Director, Capitol Corridor

Homepage

CRISI Program Award Press Event: Sacramento to Roseville Third Track Project

October 6, 2023

On Friday, September 29, 2023, Capitol Corridor celebrated its $42.51 million CRISI Program award granted by the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA). This grant will support the completion of Phase 1 of the Sacramento to Roseville Third Track Project (SR3T).

Over 50 guests and media attended our celebration at Roseville Intermodal Station that warm, sunny morning. Notable attendees include elected officials and their staff, CCJPA’s host railroad, Union Pacific, and our host agency, BART.

We heard inspiring speeches from Bruce Houdesheldt, Mayor of Roseville and CCJPA Vice-Chair, Chad Edison, CalSTA Chief Deputy Secretary, Peggy Ygbuhay, Senior Director of Public Affairs, Union Pacific Railroad, and Sabrina Drago, Director-at-Large, Placer Business Alliance. We also hosted Jennifer Mitchell, the FRA Deputy Administrator who made the formal announcement of our award.

With broad representation from communities in Placer County, there was a a lot of excitement for additional Capitol Corridor service!

About Sacramento to Roseville Third Track project:

The Capitol Corridor currently provides one daily round trip train between Auburn and Sacramento in conjunction with connecting buses between Auburn-Sacramento and Roseville-Sacramento.

Completion of the project will allow Capitol Corridor to offer riders 10 daily round trips versus the one round trip currently offered. Phase 1 will add two daily round trips, and Phase 2 will add 7 daily round trips. It will also preserve current Union Pacific Railroad freight operations and reliability for the benefit of goods movement through the region. Learn more about the project.

Capitol Corridor Awarded $42.51 Million from the Federal Railroad Administration

September 25, 2023

Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements. Grant will support Sacramento to Roseville Third Track Project (SR3T)

Oakland, CA, September 25, 2023 – The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced it has awarded $42.51 million to the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, to complete Phase 1 of its Sacramento to Roseville Third Track Project (SR3T). Once completed, two additional roundtrips will be added between Sacramento and Roseville.

“This is a significant grant. It’s the first federal funding awarded to CCJPA under the new Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the first federal investment in our service since 2009,” said Capitol Corridor Managing Director Robert Padgette. “These investments will provide better connections, reliability, and safety for more people throughout the region.”

CCJPA is actively pursuing other state and federal support for rail enhancement projects along the Capitol Corridor’s 170-mile corridor from Auburn to San Jose. The CRISI award will close the remaining funding gap, enabling the completion of the Phase 1 project. The state of California will provide a 71.9 percent non-federal match. This is one of the twelve Northern California Megaregional projects supported by the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), and San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG).

“The Capitol Corridor is a vital artery for our community, providing folks with access throughout the Sacramento region and beyond. That’s why I have been such a strong, long-time advocate for bold federal investments in our passenger rail infrastructure,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “Thanks to the transformative Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, projects like CCJPA’s Sacramento to Roseville Third Track are becoming a reality and will improve the economy and lives of communities throughout the region. I was proud to advocate for this funding and ensure CCJPA can continue expanding their services.”

CCJPA Board Chair Robert Raburn added, “We are grateful to receive this CRISI grant. This award is a testament to CCJPA’s fearless approach to the evolution of rail in Northern California for future generations.”

“CCJPA’s Sacramento to Roseville Third Track project will provide Placer County residents with more options to travel on the Capitol Corridor service,” said Congressman Kevin Kiley. “I am glad to support this project that will reduce traffic congestion and increase safety in the Capitol region.”

The heavily traveled rail corridor owned by Union Pacific Railroad (UP) serves Capitol Corridor, Amtrak Long Distance service and UP freight traffic. In 2008, CCJPA and UP identified the third track project was needed for development in two phases:

The first phase of the project will allow two additional round trips over the current one round trip for a total of three round trips.

The second phase would add an additional seven round trips for a total of ten round trips to/from Roseville. Additional improvements include new railroad signals; existing track rehabilitation of a detour track to facilitate the project construction phasing; utility relocation; retaining walls, crash walls, a new railroad bridge over Dry Creek; a new CCJPA Layover facility, safety enhancements to two public and three private at-grade crossings along the alignment, and additional right-of-way security fencing to deter trespassers. CCJPA is nearing the 90 percent design completion and is working to secure additional right-of-way in preparation of entering the construction phase of the project in late 2024.

“This is great news for the City of Roseville and Placer County,” said Mayor of Roseville, CCJPA Board Vice Chair, and PCTPA Board Director Bruce Houdesheldt. “Once both phases are completed, this project will expand the Capitol Corridor service to a total of 10 daily round trips to and from Roseville.”

The CRISI Program, which is administered by the Federal Railroad Administration, advances projects that modernize America’s freight and passenger rail infrastructure, allowing people and goods to move more safely and efficiently and helping make goods more affordable for American families. – FRA

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

GRIDIRON SEASON IS HERE! TAKE CAPITOL CORRIDOR TRAINS TO 49ER HOME GAMES AT LEVI’S ® STADIUM!

September 14, 2023

Oakland, CA, September 14, 2023 – San Francisco 49er fans, it’s that time of year to gear up for game day by taking Capitol Corridor to Levi’s Stadium this football season.

Niner fans can take advantage of Capitol Corridor’s Friends and Family Half-Fare promotion, buy one adult full-fare ticket and save 50% on up to five companion fares. So, leave the car behind and sit back and start your tailgate on the train. Enjoy the onboard amenities that include FREE Wi-Fi, spacious restrooms, comfortable seats, and a Café Car, with specialty beverages.

First home game is Thursday, September 21, 2023, against the New York Giants (see game and train schedules). For train updates, sign up for Capitol Corridor service alerts through email/SMS text @RideCCRail.com.

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

Homepage

Minor Delays Between Davis and Fairfield-Vacaville Stations 9/15-17/23

Starting September 15, 2023, Union Pacific Railroad will be undertaking a bridge improvement project between Davis and Fairfield-Vacaville stations. This project is scheduled to be completed by September 17, 2023. This project may cause delays of up to 20 minutes to trains that are traveling between Davis and Fairfield stations through the rest of September 2023.

Thank you for your patience!