CC Rail Mail – November 4, 2011
1. Fare Increase scheduled for November 8, 2011
2. Berkeley Double-Stop Bicycle Policy- effective October 31, 2011
3. Sacramento Water Main project to affect parking at station November 4th-17th
4. November Holiday Schedule
5. New unaccompanied minor policy
6. Amtrak 40th Anniversary Exhibit Train
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1. Fare Increase scheduled for November 8, 2011
To maintain our current service level, effective November 8, 2011, ticket prices will increase system wide an average of 2% for city pairs between Sacramento and San Jose. This modest fare increase helps us meet our revenue and farebox operating ratio projections for this fiscal year without cutting service. The Capitol Corridor train service depends on two sources of operating revenue: passenger fares and annually allocated state funds. Given the state’s continued budgetary cuts, a slight fare increase is required to maintain Capitol Corridor’s service levels.
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2. Berkeley Double-Stop Bicycle Policy- effective October 31, 2011
To assist bicycle users who board or offboard with bikes at Berkeley, a new peak hour station stop policy went into effect on October 31, 2011.
The following eastbound and westbound Capitol Corridor trains will make two station stops at Berkeley when stopping on the track furthest from the station (identified by the short platform). This new policy will accommodate Berkeley passengers with bicycles in boarding and offboarding by making bike storage space available in cars other than just cars 2 and 4. Trains that will begin making two stops at Berkeley include:
Morning eastbound – Trains 522 and 524
Morning westbound – Trains 523 and 525
Afternoon eastbound – Trains 538, 540, 542
Afternoon westbound – Trains 543, 545, 547
Please note: Berkeley passengers who ride any Capitol Corridor train not listed above should continue to use cars 2 and 4 to store bicycles.
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3. Sacramento Water Main project to affect parking at station November 4th-17th
As part of the overall track relocation and new platform construction project, the City’s contractor will be installing a new major water pipeline through the parking areas surrounding the existing Sacramento depot. This work may affect parking availability at the Sacramento Valley Train station for our Capitol Corridor customers on select days. Please view the full notice in the “News” section on our website.
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4. November Holiday Schedule
In observance of Thanksgiving, Capitol Corridor will run on a weekend/holiday schedule on Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25. Regularly scheduled weekday service will be in effect on Veterans Day–Friday, November 11.
Because Thanksgiving is traditionally a popular travel weekend, we suggest you purchase your tickets in advance and arrive at the station early on your date of travel.
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5. New Unaccompanied Minor Policy
Please be advised that a new policy for children traveling on their own will be in effect starting with travel on or after November 1, 2011 for all Capitol Corridor and Amtrak trains. Some key points in the new policy include:
– Children age 12 and under may not travel unaccompanied. They must travel with another person who is at least 18 years old.
– Children 13, 14 and 15 years old must travel in accordance with Capitol Corridor and Amtrak’s Unaccompanied Minor Policy.
Read the complete Unaccompanied Minor Policy. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
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6. Amtrak 40th Anniversary Exhibit Train
Amtrak has carried passengers on journeys across the length and breadth of the United States. People take our trains to visit family and friends, see America, experience the journey and come home again.
In celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Amtrak, a special exhibit train will be touring the country, visiting both Sacramento and Oakland along the Capitol Corridor route. The free exhibit showcases rail travel over the decades, displaying memorabilia including vintage advertising, past menus and dinnerware, period uniforms and photographs.
For more information about the exhibit train stops, visit www.amtrak40th.com