|
Sacramento Transportation Management Association| Capitol Corridor Features | November ballot on high-speed rail |
| Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (H.R. 6003) passed | Matsui Secures Funding For Sacramento rail relocation |
Congresswoman Doris Matsui Secures Funding For Sacramento Region Initiatives: Rail Relocation Project
(June 2008) Rep. Doris Matsui (CA-05) announced that the funds she secured for the relocation of the downtown Sacramento rail lines will soon be made available. Early next week, the Secretary of Transportation will open up a 30-day period for public comment, after which the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will publish a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) to let people know the funds are available.
The funds, totaling nearly $400,000, will be used in the track relocation project, which is a key component of the redevelopment of the downtown railyards. The relocation of the downtown rail lines involves straightening out the curve in the tracks as they approach the Amtrak Station and I Street Bridge. The relocation will separate the passenger and freight rail lines to increase safety and efficiency of service. It also will allow better access to the historic railyards.
"We must invest now to complete the redevelopment of the railyards and make major improvements in the safety and security of our railways. With transit ridership steadily increasing and no end in sight to unmanageable gas prices, it is imperative that we provide ample access to transportation alternatives. The relocation of the downtown rail lines and future intermodal transit station at the site will help make this a reality," said Rep. Matsui.
In addition to the funding secured by Rep. Matsui, there will also be funding available from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to administer a competitive grant program. This provides the city and state another opportunity to secure federal funding for this project.
"The Rail Line Relocation Project will bring a host of benefits to the region, including increased capacity for trains, reduced delays, and improved air quality. In Sacramento, we are a true transportation leader, showing the rest of the country that transportation initiatives can and should be undertaken that will be beneficial to passengers, the community, our environment, and the region's economic future," said Rep. Matsui.
Amtrak Capitol Corridor
To accommodate more bicycles on board Capitol Corridor trains, the state Department of Transportation and the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority have retrofitted all 14 of the Capitol Corridor's 1995-era cab cars so that they will accommodate 13 bicycles, increasing bicycle storage by 34 percent.
The Capitol Corridor route, between the Sierra foothills and Silicon Valley/San Jose, is the third busiest Amtrak-operated line in the country. More than 150,000 cyclists use the service each year, and that number continues to grow, according to the authority.
The cab cars now hold seven bicycle racks, as opposed to three. And five 2002-era cab cars accommodate 13 bicycles apiece. In all, Capitol Corridor now provides about 130 more racks each weekday.
Nearly 9 percent of Capitol Corridor’s 1.7 million annual passengers use a bike to get to the rail service. Recent surveys indicate that more cyclists are choosing to bring their bikes on board in order to use them to get to their final destinations, as opposed to storing them at the train station.
---------------------
Amtrak Capitol Corridor offers service that makes 12 daily trips between Auburn and the Bay Area. Trains run seven days a week, including holidays. Click here for the Capitol Corridor website.
The Capitol Corridor is a great way to get to work between Auburn and Roseville to Sacramento and beyond. Look for amenities such as complimentary newspapers, a "quiet car", wireless internet, and bike racks on board to make your trip more enjoyable.
If you commute from the Bay Area or Solano County, why not "hop aboard" and try the Amtrak Capitol Corridor train? Commuting by train offers the speed of automotive travel without the stress of driving. Sit back, relax, and watch the scenery go by, or catch an extra nap, read, work, chat, knit--whatever you'd like. You can even play darts in the Club Car.
So if you commute from the vicinity of Oakland, Emeryville, Berkeley, Richmond, Martinez, Suisun-Fairfield, or Davis, and you prefer to start work around 8:00 AM, consider taking Amtrak.
Features
Multi-ride tickets are available online or at a staffed station. They offer a great discount for frequent travelers (Unlimited monthly and 10-ride passes are available). Capitol Corridor features a Café Car with sandwiches, snacks, and hot and cold beverages. Rail travel can be combined with transit. For example, at the Roseville intermodal facility there is a Greyhound station and the Richmond Amtrak station is located adjacent to the BART station. FREE Transit Transfers are available with several transit providers that link up with Capitol Corridor including Sacramento Regional Transit. Capitol Corridor also has a joint ticketing agreement with Roseville Transit and Placer County Commuter Express. Combine your train trip with bicycling. Limited bicycle carry-on storage is available.Employer transit subsidies apply to this commuter rail. To find out how to receive the subsidy and your transit pass, or to request a personalized commute plan that includes Amtrak, visit www.amtrakcapitols.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245)
Bill gives Sacramento region a chance for high-speed rail. (June 2008) A ballot measure to finance high-speed rail in California will be on the ballot in November, 2008. The bill has been delayed twice, but this bill makes it more possible that high-speed rail might come to Sacramento.
The original plan had the Los Angeles to San Francisco rail link the top priority and left Sacramento service for years later. However, a bill pending in the Legislature opens the door to competing proposals which could allow Sacramento to move higher in priority.
The state's financing plans calls for private-sector partners and Siemens Transportation Systems, a huge multinational corporation with a major railroad manufacturing operation in Sacramento, wants to bid on the $40 billion project. Siemens Transportation Systems, which has a plant on French Road, is one of about 30 companies that have expressed interest in working with the state in a public-private partnership to build the 800-mile system.
Siemens' interest is in everything from building the trains, signals and controls to participating as an equity investor, according to Frank Guzzo, marketing director for Siemens Transportation.
Rep. Doris Matsui Votes for Legislation to Invest in Rail and Mass Transit (Wed., June 11, 2008)
Rep. Doris Matsui (CA-05) joined her colleagues in passing the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (H.R. 6003) to modernize and expand Amtrak and other intercity passenger rail service and infrastructure.
"With the price of gas over $4 a gallon, people are exploring alternative options for travel. In Sacramento, we already have a thriving light rail system and the Capitol Corridor in place. The bill we passed today will invest in passenger rail and ensure that we have viable options to lessen congestion on our roads and engage in greener transportation alternatives," said Rep. Matsui.
The bill reauthorizes Amtrak through FY 2013. Amtrak's authorization had expired in 2002. The bill also creates a new capital grants program for states to provide new or improved intercity passenger rail. Sacramento will be well-positioned to benefit from the grants program because of the demonstrated success of the Capitol Corridor service.
"In many ways, Sacramento is a laboratory for the rest of the country. We have proven that we can put in place mass transit systems that are good for our environment, and good for our local economy. The ridership gains and economic success of these systems in Sacramento will serve as an example to cities across the country as they examine their own regional transportation systems," said Rep. Matsui.
H.R. 6003 creates a new grant program for intercity passenger rail service State Capital Grant program for intercity passenger rail capital projects. The bill authorizes $2.5 billion ($500 million per year) over the next five years for grants to states to pay for the capital costs of facilities and equipment necessary to provide new or improved intercity passenger rail. The federal share of the grants is up to 80 percent. The Transportation Department would award these grants on a competitive basis for projects based on economic performance, expected ridership, and other factors.
. To improve commuter rail service, creates a mechanism for completing stalled negotiations between commuter and freight rail. Currently, no federal guidelines exist to mediate disputes between commuter rail providers and freight railroads over use of freight rail tracks or rights-of-way, nor is there a standard forum for negotiating commuter rail operating agreements. The bill establishes a forum at the Surface Transportation Board to help complete stalled commuter rail negotiations, helping our rail network operate as efficiently as possible.
. In an effort to expand passenger rail, also authorizes funding for 11 high-speed rail corridors. The National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission recommended that the United States establish a high-speed rail network that spans the entire country. The bill authorizes $1.75 billion over the next five years for grants to states and/or Amtrak to finance the construction and equipment for 11 authorized high-speed rail corridors - including in California. The federal share of the grants is up to 80 percent. The Transportation Department would award these grants on a competitive basis for projects based on economic performance, expected ridership, and other factors.
. Invests in improving Amtrak by increasing Amtrak capital and operating grants. The bill calls for increasing Amtrak capital grants -- authorizing $4.2 billion to Amtrak over the next five years for capital grants. These capital grants will help Amtrak bring the Northeast Corridor to a state-of-good-repair, procure new rolling stock, rehabilitate existing bridges, as well as make additional capital improvements and maintenance over its entire network. The bill also calls for increasing Amtrak operating grants -- authorizing $3.0 billion to Amtrak over the next five years for operating grants. The operating grants will help Amtrak pay salaries, health costs, overtime pay, fuel costs, facilities, and train maintenance and operations.
