Capitol Corridor Rail Mail E-Newsletters

[jccollins]

CC Rail Mail E-Newsletter -- January 26, 2006

In this issue:

1. CCJPA 2005 Annual Performance Report

2. Oakland to San Jose Travel Advisory for January 26-29

3. Oakland A’s Fanfest this Weekend!

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1. CCJPA 2005 Annual Performance Report

The CCJPA has just published its 2005 Annual Performance Report. Some highlights from Capitol Corridor’s Fiscal Year 2005 include: a growth in ridership for the seventh consecutive year, as well as more than $100M in capital improvements and station upgrades. Download a copy of this year’s Annual Report from the Capitol Corridor website.

2. Oakland to San Jose Travel Advisory for January 26-29

As construction continues on the Niles subdivision to upgrade track conditions, certain trains will be routed to the Mulford Line and will not provide service to the Hayward Station or the Fremont-Centerville Station. Alternate service to these stations will be provided by motorcoach bus. Please visit our bulletin board for the most current information on which trains will be affected. We apologize for service delays and any inconvenience associated with this construction improvement project. Thank you.

3. Oakland A’s Fanfest this Weekend!

Take Capitol Corridor to the Oakland A’s Fanfest at the Oakland Coliseum on Saturday, January 28! This is the first opportunity of the season to meet your favorite players and coaches from 2006 and seasons past. Beginning at 10am, fans will have the opportunity to get autographs, participate in Q&A session or have their pictures taken with an A’s player or World Series Trophy. Visit the Oakland A’s website for more information about Fanfest.

Capitol Corridor drops you off right at the doorstep of the Oakland Coliseum – it’s as easy as sliding into home! When you head out, make sure to purchase a round trip ticket. (Oakland Coliseum is an unstaffed station and does not currently have a Quik-Trak machine)

Take these trains from the Sacramento area to the Oakland Coliseum stop, and walk up the pedestrian ramp, directly to the Coliseum:

Train 727 Arrives 9:41a.m.

Train 729 Arrives 11:17a.m.

Train 733 Arrives 12:41p.m.

Heading home toward Sacramento, you can take Train 734 (departs at 1:39p.m.) or Train 738 (departs 3:39p.m.) Visit Capitol Corridor’s Trip Planner to see when these trains leave/depart a station near you.

 

[jccollins]

CC Rail Mail E-Newsletter -- February 1, 2006

Service Advisory for February 2nd-3rd

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This Thursday and Friday (February 2nd-3rd) Union Pacific construction crews will continue to replace rail along portions of the track between the Oakland Jack London and San Jose stations. This trackwork will affect passengers planning to travel on train 534 as motorcoach service will replace train service for all stations between Oakland Jack London and San Jose. Due to slow orders on the track between Oakland and San Jose, other Capitol Corridor trains may experience slight delays- but we are working with our partners to keep delays to a minimum.

Unfortunately, more construction is scheduled to begin February 6th to complete the trackwork along the Niles subdivision between Oakland and San Jose. During that time, some Capitol Corridor trains may be affected.

For the most updated information on this construction project, please check the Capitol Corridor website.

 

[jccollins]

CC Rail Mail E-Newsletter -- February 3, 2006

Service Advisory for February 5th-14th

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This weekend Union Pacific construction crews will continue the tie replacement program along portions of the track between the Oakland Jack London and San Jose stations. This track work will affect passengers planning to travel between Oakland and San Jose as motorcoach service will replace train service for some stations between Oakland Jack London and San Jose.

We really appreciate your patience and understanding as we work with our partners to implement service improvements that will enhance the performance of the Capitol Corridor trains.

For the most updated information on this construction project and to find out if your train will be affected, please check the Capitol Corridor website.

 

[jccollins]

CC Rail Mail E-Newsletter -- February 10 2006

In this issue: Message from the Director

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From me to you...

What has happened to the reliability of our Capitol Corridor train service???

To borrow a line from The Kingston Trio's 1950's hit song Charlie on the MTA: "These are the times that try men's souls."

This Message is, without a doubt, the most difficult one I have had to write to you - our riders and our customers. A year ago, on-time Capitol Corridor performance was higher than it has ever been, and Union Pacific's dispatching performance was nearly 100%.

How far down have we dropped?

From February 1, 2005 right up until February 3, 2006, it has been a downward spiral, with this past October, November and December being bad, and January being particularly horrific. Hundreds of you have written to me asking for an explanation, and asking when you can expect things to get better. I have stayed at the office late most nights so I can read your letters. I apologize to each and every one of you.

You have asked fair questions, and you deserve answers.

While I do not have a 'crystal ball' to predict the future, I can tell you what we have done, what we are doing, and I will try to give you a timeline for recovery. First, the ongoing track improvement program (replacement of deteriorated wood ties by Union Pacific crews) between Oakland and San Jose should be completed February 14. I guess we can call that "a St. Valentine's Day present." While we expected SOME disruption and delay, and we did put out an advance notice telling everyone about it, virtually every train that travels south of Oakland has been delayed, and not just by minutes, but sometimes by hours. Even trains that should NOT have been impacted at all by the trackwork, those that start or end their run in Oakland, have been badly delayed as well.

Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) owns the entire 170 miles over which we operate, with the exception of about 2 miles. UPRR dispatchers control Capitol Corridor trains. While Union Pacific's freight business has grown substantially in the last two years, this growth has had a negative impact on the reliability of your passenger service. UPRR's handling of Capitol Corridor trains is not simply a matter of 'convenience' or 'preferential priority' for passenger trains. Union Pacific has a contract to operate our passenger trains at 90% on-time or better. UPRR also has the opportunity to earn an incentive payment when Capitol Corridor trains achieve an on-time monthly average of 92% or better. Disappointingly, no incentive money has been earned by UPRR since January 2005. This is the one check we WANT to write.

When the State of California made its initial $57 million investment into the then- Southern Pacific (SP, now UPRR) tracks between Oakland and Sacramento, on-time contractual provisions were included. Since then, the State through the CCJPA, has invested about another $60 million in capacity and reliability improvements to UPRR property along the Oakland-San Jose and across Yolo Causeway. These capital investments were made with the concurrence and support of UPRR, and each publicly funded project included a provision to accommodate additional growth of UPRR's freight business. The public now owns the right to operate 22 trains in each direction between Oakland and Sacramento. Only 16 of those slots are currently being utilized, and with the proposed Capitol Corridor train service increases in late August, 20 of the 22 publicly owned slots will be utilized.

UPRR has an obligation to the people of this state, who have paid for the improvements to UPRR's property and facilities, to operate these passenger trains at least 90% on-time, as per their contract, and on the schedule to which UPRR previously agreed.

Two years ago, almost to the day, UPRR crews completed building a second track across Yolo Causeway, eliminating the last major single track congestion point between Oakland and Sacramento. Everyone benefited from this investment. The following April, we reduced travel time by 10 minutes between Oakland and Sacramento, thereby getting Capitol Corridor passenger trains out of the way of freight trains 240 more minutes per day than in the previous schedule. The CCJPA's top priority for funding is now the installation of a universal crossover at the west end of the Yolo Causeway, a project that was planned but not initially constructed due to limited state capital dollars available when the second track across the Causeway was being built.

What happened to UPRR's Capitol Corridor performance following the April 2004 schedule change? The service never ran so well. UPRR delivered our trains on time for eight consecutive months at 90% or better, to you, our customers. UPRR's dispatching performance was between 96% and 98% on time. However, since February 2005, that top quality service performance has continually eroded, and is still in decline. During this entire time period, there was no change to the number of scheduled Capitol Corridor trains. Our train frequency is the same as it was in April 2003. January 2006 brought new havoc: rain, mudslides between Martinez and Pinole, and a BNSF track 'blitz' in the Central Valley that caused BNSF freights to be added to UPRR freights out of Oakland.

What have we done to try to improve the situation?

We have continued regular meetings with UPRR through the Corridor Improvement Team, but these meetings have not yet accomplished their intended goal of better reliability. The Chair of the Capitol Corridor Board, Roger Dickinson of Sacramento (and a Sacramento County Supervisor), went to Omaha and raised the issue of poor on time performance face-to-face with Mr. Dennis Duffy, Executive Vice President of Operation of UPRR. Mr. Dickinson conveyed his concern and displeasure with the UPRR's performance of our trains, based on his own experiences in using Capitol Corridor trains. Mr. Duffy explained the complex problems UPRR is facing in the growth of its freight business, but he did state that UPRR will make a concerted effort to deliver Capitol Corridor trains more reliably, and that this objective would be more likely to be achieved once the current track renewal work south of Oakland is completed. As I said earlier, this track work is slated to be complete by February 14.

Additionally, the crescendo of complaints has now reached officials far above my office. Many of these officials deal with issues involving freight service across the state and across the nation. Many participants in formulating state policy now actually ride the Capitol Corridor trains to/from Sacramento, and their personal experiences are coloring the public perception of UPRR among major California public funding agencies, agencies whose jurisdiction includes consideration of major capital funding programs that will also benefit freight railroads and goods movement. We have worked hard to establish a real partnership with Union Pacific, and we remain hopeful that Union Pacific will be able to deliver on its share of that partnership, as it was delivering a year ago.

So what's next?

Following February 14, we expect to make an announcement that regular riders, who have endured day-after-day of less-than-expected reliability, will be offered a substantial discount on monthly and 10-trip tickets for an upcoming month-most likely April. We recognize that it will do us no good to reduce the price of a ticket if the service doesn't get any better. We will monitor closely UPRR performance for a few weeks after February 14 before we say to you "come on down" and buy a ticket. The last thing we want is to have lots more folks coming back to our trains with bargain-priced tickets and then getting continued unreliable service. When you pay to ride our trains, you should get what you are entitled to: a train that runs on its published schedule, at least 90% of the time--maybe more, but certainly not less.

We will continue to work for you until you have the level of on-time service you deserve, and it is sustained. You have my personal commitment to this goal.

Again, this has been a very difficult Message for me to write, both because the news is not as good as it could be and because this situation has strained our good working relationship with Union Pacific. I would not normally talk about this in public. However, the current circumstances are not normal, and the conditions of Capitol Corridor train unreliability have become painfully public by themselves.

I do believe we will get through this difficult time by March or April, and that your service will once again be restored to the level of reliability you deserve.

As always, please feel free to contact me, or offer a suggestion at our customer telephone line (510.464.6995) or e-mail me at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Eugene K. Skoropowski, AIA

Managing Director

Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority

Click here to view Gene’s Message to Riders on our website.

 

[jccollins]

CC Rail Mail E-Newsletter -- February 15, 2006

In this issue:

1. Presidents' Day Schedule

2. Stitch 'n Ride

3. Bridgework Delays

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1. Presidents' Day Schedule

Capitol Corridor will operate on a weekday schedule during Presidents' Day, Monday February 20th. Placer Commuter Express buses and AC Transit's Line U Stanford Express will not be operating on Presidents' Day.

2. Get Ready, Get Set, Start Stitching!

Break out your knitting needles - it's time for another Stitch 'n Ride! Join the Capitol Corridor for our 3rd annual trek to Stitches West 2006 in Santa Clara, onboard train 727 this Saturday, February 18th. Ditch the car and come knit with us and other locals who share the crafty bug. We'll have goodie bags while they last and fun prizes to give away as you sit and stitch with fellow knitters and arrive at Stitches West ready for more. Visit the Stitch 'n Ride page on our website for the train schedule and information on our great sponsors including:

Adela's Yarn, Babetta's Yarn and Gifts, Black Mountain Studios, California Pistachios, Carolina Homespun, Chronicle Books, Fibers Yarn & Gallery, Frog Pond Knits, Jordana Paige, Knitique, Knitting Diva, Knitting Yarn Store, My Secret Stash, Skein Lane, Stitch Diva Studios, West Valley Alpacas, Yarn! and Yarndogs.

3. Bridgework delays on Saturday February 18th and 25th

Union Pacific Railroad will be replacing two bridge spans just outside of Martinez on Saturday February 18th and Saturday February 25th. Capitol Corridor passengers may experience delays of up to 15 minutes as trains are routed around the work site. Your patience is greatly appreciated as we work with our partners to bring you improved rail conditions.

 

[jccollins]

CC Rail Mail E-Newsletter -- March 10, 2006

In this issue:

1. Public Workshops – March 23-29

2. Capitol Corridor’s 10 Millionth Passenger

3. “Train Life” showing at the Davis Film Festival

4. New items in our online store

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1. Public Workshops – March 23-29

Capitol Corridor is holding its annual public workshops to discuss the FY06-07 & FY07-08 Business Plan. You are invited to attend and provide input into future plans for the Capitol Corridor (fares, stations, schedules, etc.). Click here to view the public workshop schedule and preliminary copy of the Business Plan.

2. Capitol Corridor’s 10 Millionth Passenger

Capitol Corridor is expecting our 10 millionth passenger to board the train this month. Thanks a million to all our passengers for helping us reach this milestone!

3. “Train Life” showing at the Davis Film Festival

“Train Life,” a Berkeley Video & Film Festival award winner (Best of Festival - Documentary), will be shown at this year's Davis Film Festival on Saturday, April 1. Filmed and edited largely aboard Capitol Corridor trains, “Train Life” distills thousands of miles of train-riding experiences into a 23-minute glimpse at the onboard lives of 12 daily commuters.

For more information about “Train Life” (including a sneak peek), visit www.maxpictures.com/trainlife. For more information on the Davis Film Festival, including ticket prices and show times, visit www.davisfilmfest.org

4. Check out the new items in Capitol Corridor’s online store

Looking for cool gear to wear to games at Oakland Coliseum? Need a new tote bag to haul around all the yarn you bought at Stitches West? Check out all the new items recently added to the CC Collection. Visit our online store today!

 

[jccollins]

CC Rail Mail E-Newsletter -- March 17, 2006

In this issue:

1. Discounted Multi-Ride Tickets to Say “Thanks!”

2. Construction at Sacramento Station

3. Capitol Corridor’s 10 Millionth Passenger

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1. Discounted Multi-Ride Ticket to Say “Thanks!”

Thanks for sticking with us through the “bad times.” Now, let the good times roll with 10% off! To say thank you to our loyal riders for tolerating our poor on-time performance these past few months, we’re offering a 10% discount on all multi-ride tickets purchased from April 16 – May 15, 2006. Save 10% on your Monthly Tickets for May 2006 and your Ten-Ride Tickets purchased during this time!

2. Construction at Sacramento Station

Due to ongoing construction at the Sacramento station, there may be minor changes to the pathway leading from the station to the bus boarding area. Please be attentive to all signage at the station and announcements from personnel.

3. Capitol Corridor’s 10 Millionth Passenger

Capitol Corridor is expecting our 10 millionth passenger to board the train the week of March 20, 2006. Thanks a million to all our passengers for helping us reach this milestone!

 

[jccollins]

CC Rail Mail E-Newsletter -- March 31, 2006

In this issue:

1. Changes at 1-800-USA-RAIL

2. Discounted Multi-Ride Tickets to Say “Thanks!”

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1. Changes at 1-800-USA-RAIL

As part of CCJPA’s efforts to shift to electronic ticket sales and maintain cost efficiency, beginning April 4, Amtrak reservation agents at 1-800-USA-RAIL will not have access to Capitol Corridor information and will no longer be able to sell tickets over the phone. You can still purchase tickets online, from a station agent or at a Quik-Trak machine. Please call 1-877-9-RIDECC for all your Capitol Corridor information, including train status.

2. Discounted Multi-Ride Ticket to Say “Thanks!”

Thanks for sticking with us through the “bad times.” Now, let the good times roll with 10% off! To say thank you to our loyal riders for tolerating our poor on-time performance these past few months, we’re offering a 10% discount on all multi-ride tickets purchased from April 16 – May 15, 2006. This includes 45-Day/Ten-Ride tickets and May 2006 Monthly tickets. This discount has been automatically programmed into the system, so there’s no need for a coupon or discount code.

 

[jccollins]

CC Rail Mail E-Newsletter -- April 6, 2006

Service Advisory for April 10th-14th

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Beginning next Monday (April 10), Union Pacific construction crews will be working on eight crossings in the San Leandro area, between Davis Street and Hesperian Boulevard.

Ties and ballast under the crossing decks are being renewed.

Expect the usual delays to our trains from the Union Pacific Railroad. We apologize for the inconvenience in advance. For the most updated information on this construction project, please check the Capitol Corridor website.

 

[jccollins]

CC Rail Mail E-Newsletter – April 14, 2006

In this issue:

1. April 13th Train Delays

2. South Lake Tahoe Bus Stop Relocation (Route 23)

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1. April 13th Train Delays

On Thursday evening, April 13, the Capitol Corridor experienced a service disruption as a result of an incident near the Richmond train station. Click here for a complete explanation of the events.

2. South Lake Tahoe Bus Stop Relocation (Route 23)

Beginning Monday, April 17th the bus stop for motorcoach Route 23 at the Harvey’s Stateline Casino will be relocated. Click here for more information about the new location.

 

[jccollins]

CC Rail Mail E-Newsletter – April 14, 2006

In this issue:

1. April 13th Train Delays

2. *UPDATE* South Lake Tahoe Bus Stop Temporary Suspension (Route 23)

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1. April 13th Train Delays

On Thursday evening, April 13, the Capitol Corridor experienced a service disruption as a result of an incident near the Richmond train station. Click here for a complete explanation of the events.

2. *UPDATE* South Lake Tahoe Bus Stop Temporary Suspension (Route 23)

Beginning Monday, April 17th the bus stop for motorcoach Route 23 at the Harvey’s Stateline Casino will be temporarily suspended. Click here for more information.

 

[jccollins]

CC Rail Mail E-Newsletter – April 20, 2006

In This Issue:

1. April Message to Riders

2. Stitch ‘n Ride to the Knit & Crochet Show

3. New Timetable – Effective April 24, 2006

4. Discounted Multi-Ride Tickets

5. Stitch ‘n Ride with Debbie Stoller

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1. April Message to Riders

Click here to read Managing Director Gene Skoropowski’s April Message to Riders.

2. Stitch ‘n Ride to the Knit & Crochet Show

On Saturday, April 22, Capitol Corridor will be hosting a Stitch ‘n Ride event to The Knit and Crochet Show in Oakland. Author Nancie Wiseman will be onboard to sign bookplates, and we’ll be giving away prizes. Visit our Stitch ‘n Ride page for more information on the event and links to our generous sponsors including: Babetta’s Yarn & Gifts, Frog Pond Knits, Lofty Lou's, Lorna Miser Designs, Nancie Wiseman, Skein Lane, and Sierra Knitting.

3. New Timetable – Effective April 24, 2006

New printed timetables should be available at all stations beginning Monday, April 24, 2006. The timetable will be available for download online on Friday, April 21. The new timetable includes minor schedule changes as well as the addition of e-Tran and Rio Vista Transit to our free Transit Transfer program. Also, the bus stop for motorcoach Route 23 at the Harvey’s Stateline Casino in South Lake Tahoe has been temporarily suspended. Click here for more information.

4. Discounted Multi-Ride Tickets

To say thank you to our loyal riders for tolerating January and February’s delays, we’re offering a 10% discount on all multi-ride tickets purchased now through May 15, 2006. This includes 45-Day/Ten-Ride tickets and May 2006 Monthly tickets. This discount has been automatically programmed into the system, so there’s no need for a coupon or discount code.

5. Stitch ‘n Ride with Debbie Stoller!

This Spring the Capitol Corridor will continue its popular Stitch ‘n Ride series with a special onboard appearance by New York Times bestselling author Debbie Stoller. The author of Stitch ‘N *****: The Knitter’s Handbook, Stitch ‘N ***** Nation, and most recently, Stitch ‘N ***** Crochet: The Happy Hooker will stitch ‘n ride with Capitol Corridor passengers while she talks about her new book, shows off hot new patterns and shares tricks of the trade.

On Sunday, April 30, passengers of all ages and skill levels in Northern California are invited to board Capitol Corridor train 733 with their craft projects and join Debbie on the trip from Sacramento to Berkeley’s 4th street shopping district. The train departs the Sacramento station at 10:40am.

 

[jccollins]

CC Rail Mail E-Newsletter -- April 26, 2006

In this issue:

1. Get hooked on crochet with Debbie Stoller

2. PIDS server temporarily down on 4/27/06

3. Relocation of South Lake Tahoe Bus Stop

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1. Get hooked on crochet with Debbie Stoller

This Sunday, April 30, join New York Times bestselling author Debbie Stoller for a Stitch ‘n Ride event aboard train 733 from Sacramento to Berkeley’s 4th Street Shopping District. Debbie will talk about her new crochet book, show off hot new patterns and share knit and crochet tricks. Capitol Corridor invites craft enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels in Northern California to be a part of this popular Stitch ‘n Ride event. Train 733 departs the Sacramento station at 10:40am.

2. PIDS server temporarily down

The PIDS message signs at Capitol Corridor stations that normally display train arrival information will be temporarily disabled tomorrow, April 27, from approximately noon until 3pm. The system will be undergoing software upgrades to bring you more reliable train status information. During this time, you will still be able to check train status on our train status webpage. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

3. Relocation of South Lake Tahoe Bus Stop

The motorcoach stop at Harvey’s in South Lake Tahoe has been relocated. Please click here for more information.

 

[jccollins]

*** SERVICE UPDATE FROM ME - NOT AN OFFICIAL MESSAGE TO RIDERS ***

These are exciting times for Capitol Corridor passengers. The last three years of extensive trackwork, at-grade crossing eliminations, signal installations and general track improvements along the route between Oakland and San Jose will permit the Capitol Corridor to greatly increase train frequencies on August 28, 2006.

The number of trains operating between Sacramento and Oakland-Jack London will increase from 12 to 16 roundtrips on weekdays and from 9 to 11 roundtrips on weekends/holidays. The Oakland-Jack London to San Jose portion of the route will increase to 7 daily roundtrips (up from 4 weekday roundtrips and 6 weekend roundtrips). Sacramento to Auburn commuters will maintain their single daily roundtrip. You can click here and scroll almost all the way down to the bottom of the page until you see a white box image to see a sneek-peak of the schedule to take effect on August 28, 2006.

These increases will be made without the acquisition of additional rolling stock, train crews, or operating costs. The additional frequencies to/from San Jose will free up some of the trainsets that were previously trapped down there for much of the days allowing them to make additional runs on the OKJ-SAC heart of the corridor. Trainset turn times at the endpoint stations will also be slightly shortened to increase the service's efficiency.

Expansion beyond this upcoming increase will largely be in the form of additional trailer coaches being added on trains to increase their capacities and is dependent on additional state dollars being secured to purchase the additional equipment; the CCJPA managing board for this intercity line feels that the 16 daily roundtrips OKJ-SAC will be sufficient to serve its passengers.

Additional ridership secured through this increase in frequencies will determine the need for additional trains OKJ-SJC. Currently the ridership west of OKJ to SJC is heavy during the morning and evening commute, but rather lightly patronized during the off-peak hours.

Strong demand for additional train service east of SAC to Roseville, Rocklin and Auburn has already been established and the CCJPA is diligently working with the YouPee Railroad to try and negotiate additional trackage rights to operate more trains in the corridor. The YouPee has made several demands for railroad infrastructure improvements before the frequencies can be increased (mostly in/around their Roseville yard, including a passenger train bypass track around it), so it is unlikely we will see any additional train frequencies within the next year or so.

 

[jccollins]

CC Rail Mail E-Newsletter -- May 12, 2006

In This Issue:

1. Stairs at Richmond station closed May 15-17

2. Capitol Corridor thanks you with Rider Appreciation Events!

3. Take Capitol Corridor to the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee

4. Problems with the PIDS messages

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1. Stairs at Richmond station closed May 15-17

Beginning Monday, May 15th through Wednesday, May 17th, the stairs to the Richmond station train platform will be completely closed for repairs. Contractors will be replacing the glass at the top of the stairs. All passengers will need to use the elevator to and from the platform. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you in advance for your patience.

2. Capitol Corridor thanks you with Rider Appreciation Events!

As a big "Thank You" to our Capitol Corridor riders, we are hosting two Rider Appreciation Events. Certified Massage Therapists will be on board to give free neck & shoulder massages to passengers, refreshments will be provided, and Capitol Corridor will be on board giving away goodies while supplies last. Here are the dates and trains of the events:

Tuesday, May 16th: Train 540 from Oakland Jack London Square to Sacramento.

Thursday, May 18th: Train #545 from Sacramento to Oakland Jack London Square.

3. Take Capitol Corridor to the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee

Start your summer travels on the right note by taking Capitol Corridor to the 33rd annual Sacramento Jazz Jubilee Memorial Day weekend, May 26 - 29. You'll be dropped off steps from all the fun! From the Sacramento train station, just walk to Old Sacramento. The Sacramento Jazz Jubilee will provide free shuttles to the other venues through the city. This is the largest traditional jazz festival in the world featuring more than 125 bands playing a variety of jazz styles including: New Orleans, Blues, Swing, Barbershop, Modern Jazz and more! For more information about the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, visit www.sacjazz.com

4. Problems with PIDS messages

You may have noticed that some of the PIDS (Passenger Information Display Signs) at Capitol Corridor stations have not been displaying train status. The system is currently undergoing software upgrades, and we're working with the vendor to resolve this issue. Thank you for your patience. In the meantime, you will still be able to check train status online.

 

[jccollins]

CC Rail Mail E-Newsletter - May 18, 2006

In This Issue:

1. San Francisco Bay to Breakers Race/SF Suspended motorcoach service: Sunday, May 21

2. Take Capitol Corridor to the airport this summer

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1. San Francisco Bay to Breakers Race/SF Suspended motorcoach service: Sunday, May 21

Due to the Bay to Breakers Race on Sunday, May 21, motorcoach service will not be available at the following stops between 6am and 10am: SF Shopping Center (SFS), SF Moscone Center (SFM), SF Financial District (SFF).

Motorcoach service will be available on the Embarcadero at the Ferry Building Annex (SFC) and Pier 39 (SFW). However, due to the traffic coming in and out of San Francisco, travel times may exceed those listed on the schedule. Capitol Corridor passengers are encouraged to transfer to at the Richmond or Oakland Coliseum stations, and take BART to the Embarcadero station. Discounted BART tickets are available in the Cafe Car.

2. Take Capitol Corridor to the airport this summer

Getting out of town this summer? Click here to learn how you can get to the San Francisco (SFO) and Oakland (OAK) international airports from Capitol Corridor, and plan your trip today.

 

[jccollins]

Service Advisory for June 2 - 5, 2006

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As part of its Bay Bridge seismic retrofit project, Caltrans will be performing major construction work on the Bay Bridge from June 2 - 5, 2006.

All Capitol Corridor passengers with motorcoach connections at Emeryville to/from San Francisco can expect delays due to this construction activity. Trains will hold up to 10 minutes for connecting motorcoaches. If a connection between a train and a motorcoach is not made in that time frame, passengers will be accommodated on the next train. The last train of the evening to Sacramento will hold at Emeryville for the connecting motorcoach from San Francisco.

As BART will be operating 24-hour service from select stations during this period, passengers traveling to/from San Francisco are strongly advised to transfer to/from BART at the Richmond or Oakland Coliseum stations to reach their destinations with minimal delay.

Discounted BART tickets are sold onboard Capitol Corridor trains in the Cafe Car. A $10 BART ticket is available for $8, limit one ticket per passenger.

 

[jccollins]

CC Rail Mail E-Newsletter – May 12, 2006

In This Issue:

1. Multi-Ride tickets now available online!

2. Free bicycle lockers available at Roseville station

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1. Multi-Ride tickets now available online!

Amtrak.com recently added the ability to buy multi-ride tickets from their website. Purchased tickets can be picked up at a station from an agent or from a Quik-Trak machine, or can be mailed to you. If you are traveling between unstaffed stations with no Quik-Trak machines at either end we advise you to book tickets at least 11 days before travel for US Mail delivery, or 4 days before travel for Express Delivery ($12.00 fee). A full summary of mail-out details are available on amtrak.com once you proceed through the purchase.

Buy your multi-ride ticket now at: http://tickets.amtrak.com/itd/amtrak/MultiRide

Don't forget to bookmark the link for your next purchase!

2. Free bicycle lockers available at Roseville station

The City of Roseville offers free use of bike lockers at the train station Park & Ride lot in Roseville, CA. There are four lockers available at the site and a refundable key deposit of $15 is required.

To reserve your bike locker, contact the City of Roseville Transportation Division at (916) 774-5293, or email [email protected].

The bicycle locker program is part of Roseville’s on-going effort to promote bicycling as a healthy and inexpensive alternative to driving to work, school, shopping or other errands. Bicycling not only helps the environment by reducing air pollution and dependence on fossil fuels, it also improves physical fitness. Other Roseville-operated bike lockers are located in the Maidu Park and Taylor/I-80 Park & Ride lots. The bike lockers are made available courtesy of the City of Roseville through a grant from the California Department of Transportation.

 

[jccollins]

CC Rail Mail E-Newsletter – July 3, 2006

Advisory - Parking at Oakland Coliseum, July 3, 2006

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Passengers planning to park personal vehicles at the Oakland Coliseum Parking lot please be advised that Fireworks Night at the Coliseum may impact parking at the Coliseum lot on Monday, July 3rd between the hours of 5:00pm to 9:30pm. Vehicles parked in the lot may become damaged by fireworks drifting over and falling into the lot. Thank you.

 

[jccollins]

CC Rail Mail E-Newsletter – July 7, 2006

In This Issue:

1. Travel Advisory for Saturday, July 8

2. Message to Riders

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1. Travel Advisory for Saturday, July 8

Due to track work by Union Pacific Railroad, Capitol Corridor trains traveling between 6:00am and 9:00pm on Saturday, July 8, 2006 may experience delays up to 20 minutes.

2. Message to Riders

Click here to read the latest Message to Riders from Capitol Corridor’s managing director, Eugene Skoropowski.

 

[jccollins]

Message To Riders: Issue 26, July 7, 2006

Message from the Director

From me to you...

I am going to discuss only two issues in this Message. The first is the great news about expanded train service and the new schedules that will go into effect on August 28. The other is a plea for cooperation from you, our riders. It is a follow-up to my discussion about seat occupancy in the last Message.

Well it is finally going to happen! More trains to/from San Jose, every day. We worked hard to utilize our train sets and the Amtrak crews as efficiently as possible to give you the service you have asked for, and have long awaited.

We will now offer a total of 32 weekday trains, and 22 weekend/holiday trains. Long-time riders will remember that less than eight years ago, there were only 4 trains each way.

We have worked hard to provide you with as much service as we can, given the constraints of available locomotives and coaches and limited state funding. A big thank you is also in order for our partners in this effort: Amtrak, Caltrans, and Union Pacific Railroad. Union Pacific’s completion of the State-funded construction projects between Oakland and San Jose has made this service expansion possible. Like they say on highway projects, “These are your tax dollars at work.”

More Ways to San Jose

Weekdays, the first two trains to San Jose will stay in their existing slots, but there will be a later morning train (for those late sleepers) arriving in San Jose at 10:00am, and another that arrives at 1:15pm. A new mid-late afternoon train will get to San Jose at 6:45pm. Existing trains will continue to run in about the same time slots as they do now. Trip times between Oakland and San Jose will be reduced by 5-10 minutes. Heading north, existing trains will stay about where they are. However, there will be a new departure from San Jose at 9:10 am, and an earlier afternoon train at 3:05 pm. The “last bus” will be transformed into the “last train,” leaving San Jose at 7:15 pm. This last train is probably the single most-requested service we have had on the route.

On weekends, the schedule will be the same as now, but with the addition of an afternoon departure from San Jose at 4:25 pm (the same as the new weekday departure time) and an arrival at 6:45 pm in San Jose, again, the same as the new weekday train.

Nearly all the San Jose trains will operate directly to/from Sacramento via Oakland. We are still finalizing the schedule, so there may be minor changes to what I’ve listed here, but overall, we are very pleased to bring you additional service. New schedules will be posted in advance at all stations. Some train numbers will change, even if the train times remain unchanged.

More trains to/from Sacramento, too!

Weekdays, the schedule will increase from 12 trains each way to 16.From Sacramento, additional morning trains will leave at 7:00 am, and 8:30 am. Existing train times are revised for later morning trains at 9:20 am, and 10:10 am. The big hole between 2:10 pm and 4:40 pm from Sacramento to Oakland (and San Jose) will be filled with a new departure at 3:35 pm and a new train at 7:40 pm. The last train will run a half-hour later at 9:10 pm. Going to Sacramento, there will be a new early bird train from Oakland at 4:30 am, arriving in Sacramento at 6:30 am. The current 10:45 am train from Oakland will run earlier at 10:15 am. Afternoon departures from Oakland will be at 12:15, 1:25, 2:50, 3:30, 4:10, 4:50, and 5:30 pm, a major improvement. The 3:30 train will still run through to Roseville and Auburn. There will also be a new later train from Oakland to Sacramento at 9:20 pm, again, by popular request.

On weekends, service will increase from 9 trains to 11 trains each way. As with weekdays, the two added round-trips will fill big gaps in afternoon and evening service. The 3:35 pm departure from Sacramento will go all the way to San Jose, just as it will on weekdays. A new 7:10 pm train from Sacramento will provide added choices for riders to travel to the Bay Area, and connect by bus to points south as far as Santa Barbara. From Oakland to Sacramento there will be new trains leaving Oakland at 4:25 pm, and 7:55 pm, again filling service gaps. And, the train to Roseville and Auburn will operate two hours later on weekends/holidays, giving day train-travelers two more hours in San Jose, San Francisco or Sacramento on weekends. Again, this last change is among the most popular rider requested changes.

Joint Ticketing with San Joaquin trains

As an added bonus, by arrangement with Caltrans (California Department of Transportation, Division of Rail), all passengers between Oakland and Martinez will be able to use any train operating between those two points using any valid Capitol Corridor or San Joaquin ticket. For riders in this busy part of our corridor, this will offer you 20 trains per weekday in each direction, or 40 weekday travel choices. San Joaquin trains stop at Oakland, Emeryville, Richmond and Martinez. They DO NOT stop in Berkeley. These San Joaquin trains will now be shown in the Capitol Corridor Timetable as a convenience to our riders.

Seat Occupancy

Now for the ‘flip side’ of all this good news. We need your help and cooperation to continue to improve the Capitol Corridor service, and to use all the state-owned trains in the most efficient manner possible (to generate as much farebox revenue and keep fare increases as low as possible). I wrote about this issue in my last Message. Please do not be a “Seat Hog.” We try to provide every passenger with a seat. There are more seats on every train we run than there are passengers, even on those described as “crowded”. These trains are only “crowded” (meaning riderscannot find a seat without someone or something in it) because passengers are placing themselves or their belongings on more than one seat.

Please, limit yourself to one seat so that others may be able to sit. A seat with a person in it generates revenue to help us run the Capitol Corridor. A seat with “stuff” or legs and feet traveling on one ticket denies us the revenue from that seat. We need to fill as many seats as possible to generate revenue, otherwise YOUR fare will have to be increased because a paying passenger’s seat is filled with “non-revenue” stuff. So please help here. Use the overhead bins/racks to stow your extra belongings.

Conductors may ask you to move your things to make room for others who are looking for seats—please cooperate. If you want to stretch out, take a window seat, but leave the seat next to you free for another rider.

I am personally riding those trains I get complaints about, and I am counting all seats filled with stuff or extended bodies occupying seats that should be available for paying customers. Soon, you can expect me personally to be asking you to remove these items to make room for other passengers. It is not a job I relish, but if I need to be a “church usher” on the trains, that’s what I will be doing. That is how important this issue is right now.

I ask, beg, and plead for your help and cooperation on this issue. It is key to our continued success.

We hope you are looking forward to the added service, and as always, we appreciate your continued patronage.

Message to Riders

This section of our website is devoted to providing you with as much information as possible about the latest happenings with the Capitol Corridor. We work for you. This is your service. Our job is to try to make it as good as it can be.

As always, please feel free to contact us at our Customer Service Line (1.877.9 RIDE CC) or e-mail us at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Eugene K. Skoropowski, AIA

Managing Director, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority

 

[jccollins]

CC Rail Mail E-Newsletter – July 11, 2006

In This Issue:

1. Travel Advisory for July 13th & 15th

2. Enjoy a Scenic Cruise Down the Delta River

3. Take Capitol Corridor to the San Jose Grand Prix

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1. Travel Advisory for July 13th & 15th

Due to the upgrading of the signaling system between Fremont and San Jose, Capitol Corridor trains operating to/from San Jose may expect delays as follows:

- Thursday, July 13, 2006, from 9:00am until 4:00pm - up to 10 minutes

- Saturday, July 15, 2006, from 7:00am until 3:00pm - up to 15 minutes

We apologize for delays associated with the final phases of this construction activity.

2. Enjoy a Scenic Cruise Down the Delta River

Delta River Cruise and Capitol Corridor offer a traffic-free weekend getaway to San Francisco from Sacramento. This one-day cruise/rail excursion carried passengers aboard a high-speed catamaran “Bay Breeze” through the delta and San Francisco Bay (approximately 4 hours), and the Capitol Corridor offers a relaxing, scenic train ride home. The Bay Breeze has breathtaking views, and on board historian, and a hot lunch buffet. Please call Delta River Cruise at (916) 399-9342 for more information, or visit www.deltarivercruise.com.

3. Take Capitol Corridor to the San Jose Grand Prix

World-class open-wheel racing is coming to San Jose with one of California's most anticipated sporting events in recent history. On July 28, 29 and 30th , the San José Grand Prix will roar through town featuring some of the profession's most talented drivers racing at nearly 200 miles per hour. The event offers activities for race fans of all ages. The festivities include: the Digital Life Expo, the Togo's Family Fun and Festival Area featuring live music, driver autograph sessions, interactive games and more.

Leave the driving to the professionals and take Capitol Corridor to the San Jose Grand Prix. Just take Capitol Corridor to the San Jose Diridon station and transfer to VTA, which provides light rail service from the San Jose Diridon Station to the Children's Discovery Museum Station, just steps away from the race entrance on Woz Way and East San Carlos Street. Visit www.sanjosegrandprix.com for more information.

 

[jccollins]

CC Rail Mail E-Newsletter - July 27, 2006

In This Issue:

1. Travel Advisory for San Francisco on July 30th

2. Travel Advisory for passengers connecting to Gilroy July 29-30th

3. Take Capitol Corridor to the San Jose Grand Prix

4. Suisun/Fairfield station to remain open to passengers

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1. Travel Advisory for San Francisco on July 30th

On Sunday, July 30, 2006 the San Francisco Marathon will take place throughout the city. The race will close off parts of the Embarcadero area.

2. Travel Advisory for passengers connecting to Gilroy July 29-30th

Traffic congestion associated with the Gilroy Garlic Festival will impact motorcoach bus service to/from Gilroy the weekend of July 29-30th. The Route 21 motorcoach bus connecting to Capitol Corridor train 734 will not stop in Gilroy to pick up passengers on July 29th and 30th. Passengers connecting to the Route 21 motorcoach from Capitol Corridor train 737 will be able to off-board the motorcoach bus in Gilroy.

3. Take Capitol Corridor to the San Jose Grand Prix

World-class open-wheel racing is coming to San Jose with one of California's most anticipated sporting events in recent history. On July 28, 29 and 30th, the San Jos Grand Prix will roar through town featuring some of the profession's most talented drivers racing at nearly 200 miles per hour.

Leave the driving to the professionals and take Capitol Corridor to the San Jose Grand Prix. Just take Capitol Corridor to the San Jose Diridon station and transfer to VTA, which provides light rail service from the San Jose Diridon Station to the Children's Discovery Museum Station, just steps away from the race entrance on Woz Way and East San Carlos Street. Visit www.sanjosegrandprix.com for more information.

4. Suisun/Fairfield station to remain open to passengers

The Amtrak/Capitol Corridor Suisun-Fairfield Station will remain open after the relocation and departure of Greyhound's ticket vendor. The station will be opened and closed by City personnel and the hours will remain unchanged. They are:

Monday-Friday: 5:45am-7:30pm

Saturday: 8:40am-12pm

Sunday: closed

 

[jccollins]

CC Rail Mail E-Newsletter – August 25, 2006

In This Issue:

1. New Schedule Starts Monday, August 28

2. Travel advisory for August 26th & 27th

3. San Jose Celebration on August 29

4. Suisun Station Hours

5. Labor Day Weekend – Bay Bridge Closure

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1. New Schedule Starts Monday, August 28

Capitol Corridor’s new schedule takes effect this coming Monday. There have been many changes to the schedule, including the addition of eight new trains and more direct train service to San Jose. Please refer to the timetable for new times and train numbers. Click Here to view the schedule online. We have received many inquiries from all of you asking us "What's In, What's Out" of this new service plan, so we’ve compiled this snapshot of the changes.

2. Travel advisory for August 26th & 27th

The Union Pacific Railroad needs to make unplanned repairs to a bridge between Davis and Suisun. This work will begin Saturday morning, August 26, and Union Pacific anticipates the work will be completed by Sunday evening, August 27. One track will be out of service at the bridge during the work period, so passengers can expect delays of up to 15 minutes.

This Sunday, August 27, between Fremont and San Jose, Union Pacific will be completing scheduled track work. Passengers traveling between Fremont and San Jose can expect delays of up to 15 minutes.

We thank you for your patience as these repair and construction work projects take place.

3. San Jose Celebration on August 29

Capitol Corridor is celebrating the addition of more direct train service with a press conference at the San Jose Diridon station on Tuesday, August 29 at 8:15am. You are welcome to join us as CCJPA Vice-Chair Forrest Williams, CCJPA Managing Director Eugene Skoropowski, Board members and local officials talk about the exciting 52% service increase for San Jose/Silicon Valley. Click here to read more about the San Jose service expansion.

4. Suisun Station Hours

The new hours of the Suisun Station are Monday – Friday, 5:00am – 5:00pm. It is closed on the weekends. The El Capitan café, which serves assorted coffee drinks and snacks, is also open during this time.

5. Labor Day Weekend – Bay Bridge Closure

As part of its West Approach Seismic Retrofit Project, Caltrans will close the eastbound direction (the lower deck from San Francisco to the East Bay) of the Bay Bridge over Labor Day weekend from 11:59 p.m. Friday, September 1 through 5 a.m. Tuesday, September 5. Passengers traveling in/out of San Francisco on Labor Day weekend are advised to connect to BART at the Richmond or Oakland Coliseum stations and take BART into San Francisco. BART will offer extended service during Labor Day weekend. Visit www.bart.gov.

Capitol Corridor motorcoaches will be operating during this weekend, but with expected delays on the eastbound San Francisco to Emeryville route. More information regarding the Bay Bridge closure can be found on www.511.org

 

[jccollins]

CC Rail Mail E-Newsletter - September 1, 2006

In This Issue:

1. Labor Day Weekend - Bay Bridge Closure

2. Weekend/Holiday Schedule on Monday September 4

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1. Labor Day Weekend – SF Bay Bridge Closure

As part of its West Approach Seismic Retrofit Project, Caltrans will close the eastbound direction (the lower deck from San Francisco to the East Bay) of the Bay Bridge over Labor Day weekend from 11:59 p.m. Friday, September 1 through 5 a.m. Tuesday, September 5. All passengers with motorcoach connections between San Francisco and Emeryville can expect delays due to bridgework, ramp closures, and related construction activities. Click here for details.

2. Weekend/Holiday Schedule on Monday Sep. 4

Capitol Corridor will operate on a weekend/holiday schedule all of Labor Day Weekend (Saturday Sep. 2 - Monday Sep. 4). Weekday schedule will resume on Tuesday, September 5.