Oakland, CA – The popular Amtrak Capitol Corridor route has added two additional weekday trains to bring to 24 the total trains on weekdays and 19 on weekends, offering travelers a more frequent and versatile schedule.
The new weekday trains include #533, departing Sacramento at 10:40 a.m. and arriving in Oakland at 12:50 p.m. and train #526 departing Oakland at 9:15 a.m. and arriving in Sacramento at 11:25 a.m.
“Amtrak was able to help us implement an increased level of service for our Capitol Corridor passengers while keeping costs to a minimum,” said Eugene Skoropowski, Managing Director, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA). “We will have more service and still operate within the appropriated state budget.” The 24 train schedule now runs within a budget originally intended for an 18-train service plan.
To celebrate the start of the new and increased service, an Inaugural Program will be held Thursday, May 8 at 10:15 a.m. at the Sacramento Amtrak Station (401 I Street at 5th). Speakers include Assembly Member Tim Leslie; Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo; Jeff Morales, Director, California Department of Transportation; Jay Commer, Amtrak; and, Robert Conheim, a Capitol Corridor rider. Skoropowski will serve as Master of Ceremonies. After brief remarks, a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held alongside Capitol Corridor train #533.
In addition to the Inaugural Ceremonies for the new service, new Real Time Information Signs will be unveiled on the platform at the Sacramento Station. The signs provide passengers with audio and visual real-time train status information and other service messages. The signs have been installed at several stations along the Capitol Corridor route.
The Capitol Corridor includes stops at 16 stations along a 170-mile corridor connecting cities in Placer, Sacramento, Yolo, Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties. Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority manages the service with the assistance of the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART), which provides the day-to-day management staff. Under contract to the CCJPA, Amtrak operates and supports the trains and feeder bus services.
A new timetable, showing the increased service, is available aboard trains, at Capitol Corridor stations and at visitor’s bureaus, hotels, universities and regional transit groups. The new schedule is also available at the website.
