Capitol Corridor Ends 2010 with a Triple Win: More Riders, Higher Revenue & Stellar On-Time Performance

Rail Service Publishes New “Ride Guide” to Ensure Pleasant Train Trips for New and Loyal Customers

Capitol Corridor, Northern California’s intercity passenger rail service, ended 2010 with a triple win: more riders, higher revenue and stellar on-time performance. In December, Capitol Corridor ridership increased five percent compared to same period last year, revenue rose 10 percent, and its on-time performance soared to 97 percent, keeping the Capitol Corridor in the nation’s top spot for on-time trains.

“If public transport is an economic indicator, Capitol Corridor’s holiday season results—from Thanksgiving weekend to New Year’s Eve—clearly show the economy is improving,” Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) Chair Bob Franklin said. “The gift of increased ridership and revenue demonstrates the CCJPA’s commitment to superior customer service attracts a steady stream of new and loyal passengers on Capitol Corridor trains.”

 The CCJPA attributes increased December ridership to an improved economy, reliable service and Raider fans riding trains to Oakland Coliseum to see their team’s last regular home season games.

Capitol Corridor Introduces “Ride Guide”

With more riders boarding Capitol Corridor trains, CCJPA officials published a handy “Ride Guide” to help conductors educate passengers on courteous customer conduct and key policies.

 “As Capitol Corridor trains begin to fill with new riders we want to ensure that every Capitol Corridor passenger’s trip is a pleasant experience,” CCJPA Managing Director David Kutrosky said. “Loud raucous music, single riders taking up two or more seats, dirty shoes on seats or folks leaving litter behind are not acceptable rider behaviors on Capitol Corridor trains. CCJPA worked with Amtrak staff to create the Capitol Corridor Ride Guide and Travel Policies, a brochure aimed to promote positive passenger etiquette by explaining Capitol Corridor’s passenger code of conduct as well as common Amtrak on-board policies.”

 The Capitol Corridor Ride Guide and Travel Policies brochure was distributed to Capitol Corridor conductors and trains in December.

About Capitol Corridor

The Capitol Corridor intercity rail service was made possible by Californians who voted to provide capital funding for passenger trains in 1990. The Capitol Corridor serves sixteen stations along the 170-mile rail corridor connecting Placer, Sacramento, Yolo, Solano, Contra Costa, Alameda, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties, paralleling both the I-80/I-680 and I-880 corridors in segments from Sacramento to San Jose. An extensive, dedicated motorcoach network provides bus connections to the train. Together, these systems serve the second-largest urban service area in the Western United States.

 In July 1998, the management of the service was transferred to the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA), which oversees the service with day-to-day management and staff support from San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART). The CCJPA partners with Amtrak, Union Pacific Railroad, Caltrans and the communities comprising the CCJPA to offer cost-effective, viable and safe intercity passenger rail and offers a convenient way to travel between the Sierra Foothills, Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley/San Jose. For more information visit capitolcorridor.org.

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