Capitol Corridor News – July 22, 2010
1. Capitol Corridor launching e-Updates program
2. Modified size of trainsets – now through September 6
3. 21st AT&T San Jose Jazz Festival
4. Fight Hunger campaign wrap up
5. Motorcoach service advisories
1. Capitol Corridor launching e-Updates program
Capitol Corridor recently teamed up with GovDelivery to provide subscription-based e-mail and SMS text messages directly to  your computer or wireless device. This service is similar to cus tomer update programs initiated by other transit agencies. You may have noticed that we’re now sending out our CC Rail Mail e-newsletter using GovDelivery. Our new e-updates program will also allow users to subscribe to Service Advisories, Schedule changes and other Capitol Corridor topics that may be of interest to you.
If you had previously signed up to receive CC Rail Mail, you’ve been automatically transferred over to our new service so that you can continue to receive CC Rail Mails. If you’d like to update your preferences to also receive service alerts or other topics, please visit the E-Updates page on our website. You can sign in using the e-mail address you use to receive the CC Rail Mail.
For more information, view our Capitol Corridor E-Updates page.
2. Modified size of trainsets – now through September 6
As many of you are aware, the Capitol Corridor and San Joaquin train routes share a common fleet of railcars. Due to seasonal fluctuations in ridership, additional cars will be needed for the San Joaquin route to help serve their passengers during their busy summer travel season. This projected summer peak for San Joaquin trains – combined with the door overhaul and upholstery program, as well as recent grade crossing incidents – have constrained the availability of rail cars for revenue service on Capitol Corridor.
From now through Labor Day weekend, you will see either four or five-car trainsets for Capitol Corridor trains. With the lower-level diner cars (café located downstairs), a four-car trainset can meet a peak loading of more than 300 passengers, which is above larger peak loading for our servce.
As such, we ask you please practice courtesy toward fellow passengers, and keep bags and belongings off of the seats next to you. This helps us accommodate all passengers comfortably and reduce the possibility of standees. Use the overhead bins above the seats or the luggage areas, which are located at the ends of each car. Conductors will be making announcements to remind passengers to keep seats clear for others to use. Assuming no additional rail cars need to be removed from service due to incidents beyond our control, the equipment usage for Capitol Corridor trains will be adjusted to accommodate seasonal Capitol Corridor ridership increases in the fall.
3. 21st AT&T San Jose Jazz Festival
WHEN: Friday-Sunday, Aug 13-15, 2010
WHERE:Â Plaza de Cesar Chavez, San Jose
PRICE: $15/day children 12 and under = free
The sounds of jazz return to downtown San Jose August 13-15. From Friday afternoon to Sunday evening, music lovers will converge on the heart of Silicon Valley to enjoy three days of jazz, funk, fusion, blues, salsa, Latin, R&B, electronica and many other forms of contemporary music.
This year’s event includes George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic turning the throngs in Cesar Chavez Park into one nation under a groove. Other headliners on the festival’s main stage include saxophonist Maceo Parker (of James Brown fame); the great New Orleans R&B singer Irma Thomas; saxophonist John Handy and his band; vocalist Nnenna Freelon; drummer Jeff Hamilton and his trio; Blues sensation Carolyn Wonderland; and saxophonists Tom Scott and Ronnie Laws leading a tribute to the late Grover Washington Jr.  For more festival information and schedule, please visit the San Jose Jazz Festival website.Â
And taking Capitol Corridor to the A&T San Jose Jazz Festival is easy…take a direct train to San Jose’s Diridon station and enjoy a leisurely walk to Cesar Chavez Park (less than a mile) or a short ride on VTA with your free transfer. For more info on taking Capitol Corridor, please visit the schedules section of our website.
4. Fight Hunger campaign wrap up
Thanks to our passengers, members of the community and publicity from the media, the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority’s (CCJPA) Fight Hunger-One Stop at a Time food drive reaped MORE THAN HALF A TON OF FOOD for Northern California food banks. From June 1 through June 15, the CCJPA sponsored the first  multi-regional summer food drive at staffed stations along its corridor. Of the seven Capitol Corridor/Amtrak stations that hosted bins, Sacramento yielded the most donations. Generous donors who use that station gave 801 of the 1260 total pounds of food collected during the campaign.
5. Motorcoach service advisories
Due to the San Francisco Marathon, the SF Ferry Building (SFC) and SF Pier 39 (SFW) motorcoach stops will be temporarily suspended from midnight until 3:30pm on Sunday, July 25, 2010. A temporary motorcoach bus stop will be relocated to intersection of Steuart Street and Mission Street near the Embarcadero (at the southwest corner of the Rincon building).
