California’s 2011 Golden STAR Award Recipient Recognized for Helping to Establish Passenger Rail in Northern California
Today the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA), Amtrak and Caltrans bestowed California’s Golden STAR (State Advocate of Rail) award to Solano Supervisor James P. Spering as scores of train fans flocked to the fourth annual National Train Day celebration in Martinez.Â
“The three rail entities unanimously selected Solano County Supervisor and long-time CCJPA Board member James P. Spering for the 2011 Golden STAR award,” CCJPA Chair Bob Franklin said. “Not only for his tenacity and foresight to establish intercity passenger rail in Northern California but for his years of experience and direction, which have led to tremendous improvements to the Capitol Corridor®. Supervisor Spering has been instrumental in implementing the vision to make this service what it is today.”
Supervisor Spering was the CCJPA’s first Chair when it was established in 1998. “I am honored to receive the Golden State Advocate of Rail Award,” Supervisor Spering said. “I am very proud of all the hard work everyone associated with the Capitol Corridor has done to make the Capitol Corridor intercity passenger rail service the success it is today.” Reporters may contact Supervisor Spering at jpspering@solanocounty.com.
“As an interregional entity, the CCJPA was the first multi-county agency to manage an intercity train service,” CCJPA Managing Director David Kutrosky said. “In 13 years, the Capitol Corridor has experienced overwhelming success. What began as a six-train per weekday intercity passenger rail service has expanded to 32-weekday trains, servicing 1.6 million customers annually. It’s now the third busiest Amtrak route in the country and has consistently achieved the best on-time performance in the nation over the last two years.”
Capitol Corridor Ridership Continues to Break Records
For over a year, the Capitol Corridor has experienced an upward trend in ridership—double-digit increases continue for the fourth month in a row. In April, nearly 11 percent more customers chose to ride trains over driving. “Last month, a 152,781 passengers boarded Capitol Corridor trains compared to 137,871 in April 2010,” Kutrosky added.Â
About National Train Day & California’s Golden STAR Award
National Train Day was created in 2008 by Amtrak to commemorate the history of railroads and to look toward the future of rail. In response, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, Caltrans and Amtrak representatives created the State of California’s Golden STAR award to honor passenger rail advocates from California who are dedicated to the cause of passenger rail. Former honorees include Doras Briggs (2008), Art Lloyd (2009) and Art Brown (2010).
National Train Day Fare DiscountÂ
In celebration of National Train Day, Capitol Corridor is offering a 25 discount off of a regular adult fare when traveling between May 1- 22, 2011. This offer is good for service on the Capitol Corridor®, the Pacific Surfliner® or San Joaquin® and connecting thruway motorcoach service. Tickets must be purchased in advance at your nearest staffed Amtrak station, online, or at a Ticket Kiosk machine by May 19, 2011, and you must use Discount Code H864 when buying your ticket.
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