CC Rail Mail- November 3, 2010
In this issue:
1. Two Percent Fare Increase Effective November 9, 2010
2. Proposition 22 passes
3. Mehserle sentencing hearing
4. New Timetable effective November 8th and Holiday Schedule
5. Tailgate train to Raiders vs. Chiefs game
1. Two Percent Fare Increase Effective November 9, 2010
Capitol Corridor will implement a modest, two percent fare increase effective November 9, 2010. In order to meet Capitol Corridor’s revenue projections for this fiscal year, the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) Board of Directors approved two incremental fare increases – scheduled for Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 – as part of adopting the Fiscal Year 2011 business plan. These fare adjustments will offset rising fuel prices and Amtrak staff wage increases, which are based on their labor agreements.
“While we are aware of the challenging economic conditions we are all facing, these modest fare increases will maintain current service levels and keep train performance and customer service at the superior levels that you, our customers, have become accustomed to,†CCJPA Managing Director David Kutrosky said. “We thank you for your understanding, and we continue to value your loyalty to our service.â€
The new fares, which become effective on November 9th, are posted on our fares and tickets page.
2. Proposition 22, the Local Taxpayer, Public Safety, and Transportation Protection Act of 2010, approved by California voters
The passage of this constitution means protection for more than $1.8 billion a year in state and local funding for transit, and prevents these funds from being raided or diverted as part of the state budget process. With nearly $3.5 billion having been raided over the past three years alone (and with state funding for transit operations at one point having been eliminated completely), this proposition will provide an opportunity to begin the process of recovery from the epidemic of fare hikes, service cuts and job layoffs recently inflicted on transit providers and those they serve.
3. Mehserle sentencing hearing
We want to advise you of Capitol Corridor’s potential service changes in the event there are public demonstrations in the S.F. Bay Area as a result of the upcoming Mehserle’s sentencing, which is scheduled for Friday, November 5 in the early afternoon.
Your safety is our top priority. We are advising you that in the event of civil unrest in Oakland after the judge hands down his sentence, the Union Pacific Rail Road (UPRR)—the entity that owns the railroad tracks—may temporarily cease all train operations in the vicinity of Oakland until it is safe to resume normal operations. If circumstances warrant it, we will provide pertinent, timely service advisory information as often as necessary and as expeditiously as possible. This is just an advisory and every effort will be made to ensure service remains safely in place.
Depending on the extent of any demonstrations, we may need to temporarily close some stations or make other adjustments to service on short notice. Amtrak Police and Operations staff are closely working with other local law enforcement agencies to monitor and respond as warranted. In addition, we are looking into developing contingency plans should UPRR stop rail travel through Oakland.
How to Get Updates on Capitol Corridor Service
E-Mail: We will continue to send out updates via our CC Rail Mail e-newsletter as major developments arise.
SMS/Text Message Service Alerts: Capitol Corridor offers Service Alert updates via SMS/Text message. You may sign up for this free service on our E-Updates page.
Telephone: Call our Customer Service line at 1-877-9-RIDECC [1-877-974-3322].
Twitter: If you use Twitter, you can follow us @CapitolCorridor
Plan Ahead
Last but not least, if there is civil unrest, we encourage you to take the time now to plan your alternative transportation or telecommuting options until peace is restored. You can also visit www.511.org for more information about alternative transit commute options in the Bay Area.
4. New Timetable effective November 8th and Holiday Schedule
The Fall/Winter timetable will go into effect on Monday, November 8. All train times have stayed the same. Aside from a few slight time adjustments to the Route 21 (San Jose to Santa Barbara) and MST (Monterey Salinas Transit) schedules, motorcoach times have stayed the same as well.
Capitol Corridor will operate our regularly scheduled weekday service on Veterans Day, Thursday November 11, 2010.
Capitol Corridor will run on a weekend/holiday schedule on the following days:
Thanksgiving- Thursday, November 26
Day after Thanksgiving- Friday, November 27
Christmas Eve- Friday, December 24
New Years Eve- Friday, December 31
5. Hop aboard Capitol Corridor’s Raider Rally train for the Raiders vs. Chiefs game
This Sunday, November 7, Sacramento radio station KTKZ is hosting this season’s final Raider Rally Train. Hop aboard train 729 at the station in Downtown Sacramento (401 I Street at 5th Street) at 9:10am and hang out with the KTKZ crew all the way to the Coliseum. You can hop aboard earlier in Auburn or later in Davis; check out our schedules page for exact departure times. Here’s your chance to win great prizes, get some grub in the Cafe Car and enjoy travel made simple. Plus, you’ll save on parking and gas.
To return back to Sacramento, you can catch Capitol Corridor trains departing from the Coliseum at 5:09pm (train 742) and 6:34pm (train 744).
Save 25% on your train trip to Raiders home games check our website for discount details!