Welcome Aboard

While FY2020 saw Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) responding to the initial stages of COVID-19, in FY2021 CCJPA found itself still grappling with the pandemic’s ongoing effects. Public health conditions necessitated continued travel and social restrictions early in FY2021. With the rollout of vaccines starting in January 2021, we planned for an anticipated ridership recovery. Federal and State support aided in the ability to increase service levels from 16 to 22 daily trains; restore Café Car service for all trains; and reach new milestones with projects that support the short- and long-term vision of the Capitol Corridor service. Despite the challenges our service faced due to the pandemic, FY2021 is a year in which we never stopped our service for even one day; reclaimed a 90% on-time performance (OTP) standard; created direct daily service between Auburn and San Jose; and came together with the leaders from San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) and Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor (LOSSAN) to reassure our collective riders of the resiliency of California intercity rail.

23 Years of Results

SERVICE LEVEL
+175
RIDERSHIP
-23
REVENUE
+42
REVENUE-TO-COST
-30
SERVICE LEVEL 8 DAILY TRAINS
100%+275%
+175
RIDERSHIP
898,007
80%+94%
-23
REVENUE $20,240,000
100%+224%
42
REVENUE TO COST RATIO
80%+13%
-30

Ridership

Revenue

Farebox

On-Time Performance

Overall Satisfaction

Ticket Purchase

80% Internet & Mobile
17% At Stations
3% Other

Top 3 Origin and Destination City Pairs

Emeryville – Sacramento
Oakland Jack London – Sacramento
Martinez – Sacramento

Busiest Trains

538
542
536

Ticket Type – FFY19

Ticket Type – FFY21

Since the pandemic, ticket purchases have significantly shifted in favor of round-trip/one-way trips, showing that riders are traveling with reduced frequency and perhaps are uncertain about future travel needs.

“Best means to travel between Sacramento and the Bay Area, especially with highway traffic increasing.”

Service Levels

Over the course of FY2021, adhering to health and safety standards as well as meeting ridership demands, the Capitol Corridor service saw a total of 8 train and connecting bus schedules changes. Each change was an effort to optimize our performance. The schedule change on March 29, 2021, was one of the most impactful since the initial reduction, in March 2020. Its highlights included:

      • Phase one of a “pulse” schedule with more predictable departure times after the hour (e.g. 5:11pm, 6:11pm . . . ) for select trains
      • Daily direct service between Auburn and San Jose
      • Reduced midday gaps between trains
      • Return of a sixth round-trip between San Jose and Oakland.

On June 7, 2021 the service reached another milestone by increase our frequencies from 16 to 22 weekday trains.

Market Segmentation

As part of the State’s service recovery efforts, Caltrans initiated a market segmentation study to benefit the three JPA’s, with a goal of informing the JPA’s ridership recovery marketing campaigns with data and insight on customer lifestyles and behavior. The resulting persona outputs highlight the propensity to ride intercity rail for both leisure travel and commuting by market segment.

Rider Profile

Despite low ridership throughout FY2021, we never lost sight of our rider experience and explored opportunities to learn and share their journeys. Prior to the availability of vaccinations, we wanted to hear what it was like traveling on the train and shared their stories in a profile, “Riding Through a Pandemic.” Historically, CCJPA administered an annual on board survey to passengers to gain insight into their trip purpose, travel frequency, station access and egress, demographics, etc. While we were unable to conduct our FY2020 rider survey due to the pandemic, health conditions improved sufficiently for us to resume the on-board survey for FY2021. In June 2021, 1,079 passengers provided feedback on their Capitol Corridor experience.

Rider Profile FFY19

Rider Profile FFY21

Modes of Travel to Station

Café Car Returns

Due to health concerns, one of our riders’ favorite amenities was unavailable throughout the majority of FY2021; however, on June 14, 2021, the Café Car returned with a limited menu and featuring a new custom product. Working in collaboration with the SJJPA, the CCJPA unveiled a co-branded snack box for passengers to enjoy.

“First time riding and everyone I passed by was very friendly, the cars were clean, and overall nice atmosphere.”

49ers Home Games Boosted Ridership

With so many riders yet to return to the train, digital engagement has become an increasingly important means of staying connected, which we have embraced through Corridor Conversations in addition to reformatting some of our business process including our Virtual Business Plan Meetings. Those riders who were anxious to get back out on the rails were not disappointed, particularly San Francisco 49ers fans who proved their loyalty to not only the team, but also the Capitol Corridor.

Corridor Conversations

What began as a forum for providing service updates, our webinar series expanded throughout the year to include education and destination-themed content, which is all available for replay:

Community Relations

Last year CCJPA affirmed its commitment to racial equality and utilized its resources to bring awareness to and uplift diverse communities. Our continued efforts in this area are exemplified in our work:

CC Rewards

As a follow up to our student rewards program, Stride On Board, CCJPA launched a new loyalty program, CC Rewards, which is open and free to every member of our Capitol Corridor community. In addition to having access to discounts from local vendors along our route, CC Reward members received a private offer of 50% Off Weekends, including Friday travel.

Offers and Promotions

In consideration of the various health and safety restrictions by county, traditional marketing efforts were paused until early summer, when we released a Summer of Savings with some of our favorite, and even some new, offers. Since many employers still had limited in-person schedules, our promotional offers focused on the opportunity area of off-peak/weekend leisure markets. Offers included:

TAKE 5 FOR $5<br /> ON WEEKENDS

TAKE 5 FOR $5
ON WEEKENDS

SENIORS RIDE HALF-OFF MIDWEEK

SENIORS RIDE HALF-OFF MIDWEEK

CC REWARDS 50% OFF WEEKENDS

CC REWARDS 50% OFF WEEKENDS

30TH ANNIVERSARY 30% DISCOUNT

30TH ANNIVERSARY 30% DISCOUNT

“In addition to smooth transport and satisfactory customer service in the food area, I appreciate the shorter commute that it allows for. I also love the scenery that I don’t get to see if I’m driving.”

Customer Experience

As travel restrictions relaxed and vaccinations became more widely available, essential workers found themselves in good company with an increasing number of business and leisure riders. To celebrate their return, riders could enter our #CCBackOnBoard contest by snapping a picture of themselves at a station or on board the train. Over the past year, those who were new or returning to the Capitol Corridor also experienced several changes and enhancements impacting our service.

EL DORADO<br /> TRANSIT

EL DORADO
TRANSIT

El Dorado Transit became the new operating agency for the Capitol Corridor’s connecting bus service between Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe.

NEW CHARGER LOCOMOTIVES

NEW CHARGER LOCOMOTIVES

Two new, Tier IV Charger locomotives were added to the Capitol Corridor fleet, replacing a pair of older EPA Tier II F-59 locomotives. This brings our fleet to a total of 10 Tier IV locomotives.

THANKSGIVING<br /> 2020

THANKSGIVING
2020

During the week of Thanksgiving, November 23-30, 2020, reservations were required to travel during what is traditionally our busiest travel time of the year.

FLEXIBLE<br /> FARES

FLEXIBLE
FARES

One-way and round-trip tickets moved to Flexible Fares—fully refundable without any change or cancellation fees, if canceled prior to the passenger’s original departure date.

“I like the train. It’s clean, fast, and I can relax.”

Projects

Throughout the year, efforts to ensure the short- and long-term success of the Capitol Corridor remained a priority. Reinvestment in the maintenance of our equipment, with projects such as new door panels and HVAC overhauls promote the reliability of our service.

Innovative problem-solving provides a glimpse into the future of the Northern California Megaregion, which will become a more connected transportation network through programs like Link21 and South Bay Connect. And proper groundwork has been laid so that riders will experience expansions and modernizations of our service as planned with the Sacramento-Roseville Third Track and California Integrated Ticketing projects.

Support for rail-related projects and initiatives at the state and federal levels has never been stronger and will undoubtedly promote the vitality and longevity of the Capitol Corridor service now and into the future.

On Wednesday, July 7th, 2021, Rob Padgette and Leo Sanchez hosted Representative Ro Khanna of CA-17 at the Santa Clara-Great America station to provide him with information about the Capitol Corridor’s Agnew Siding Project. Representative Khanna supported $6.6M in project funding for inclusion in H.R. 3684 INVEST in America Act. If the Legislation is approved, this funding, together with the existing $3.5M of committed State funding, would allow the Capitol Corridor and Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) to complete work by the end of 2022. The Agnew Siding Project will reduce train delays, improve road congestion, and combat climate change.

California Integrated Ticketing

Program (Cal ITP) Funding: TIRCP
EXPERIENCE

CCJPA is managing a CalSTA and Caltrans-led, multi-agency initiative to research, develop and implement an Integrated Travel Program (Cal ITP) that will enable California residents and visitors to plan and pay for travel across multiple modes of transportation, including bus, metro, light and intercity rail, paratransit, bike hire, and ride-hailing services in California.

2016 Case study of European models of integration and fare policies
2018 Cal ITP forum for sharing lessons learned
2019 Team assembled to build framework for comprehensive Cal ITP
2021 First trials of EMV payment and GTFS programmatic support launched

Link21 Program

Funding: TIRCP, Annual State Supplemental (BART Measure RR, RM3) Allocation
EXPERIENCE ENVIRONMENT

Link21 is working with the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and other agency partners to transform Northern California's passenger rail network into a faster, more integrated system, providing safe, efficient, and affordable travel. At the core of Link21 is a new Transbay passenger rail crossing between Oakland and San Francisco, as well as other improvements to the BART and the regional rail network, which includes Capitol Corridor and other operators. These improvements will make rail travel more attractive and reliable and provide better access to jobs and housing in the Northern California Megaregion. By shifting more trips from automobiles to modern zero-emission trains, we will help the region and State meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals.

2019 Funding awarded to survey project impact on employers and workforce demands
2020 Hire staff dedicated to managing project, Embark on 21-county market analysis
2021 Rename program Link21, launch website, Bay Area Council Economic Institute issues report on a new rail crossing’s benefit to the Megaregion, conduct two rounds of outreach with priority populations and the general public
2022 Program Development
2024 Define and Prioritize Projects
2028 Begin Design / Project Delivery Phase
2040 New crossing opens for revenue service

South Bay Connect

Funding Source: TIRCP Project Impact (Environmental, Rider Experience, or Safety)
EXPERIENCE

South Bay Connect proposes to relocate Capitol Corridor service between Oakland Coliseum and Newark from the current route on the Union Pacific (UP) Niles Subdivision to the UP Coast Subdivision, which could save up to 13 minutes of travel time between Oakland and San Jose. The project also intends to facilitate new transbay connections via a new Ardenwood rail station for Capitol Corridor passengers between the East Bay and the Peninsula, an underserved market for the Capitol Corridor service. Key milestones:

2019 Project Definition Report completed
2020 Environmental documentation and review process initiated with Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
2021 Draft EIR expected to be released
2023 Final EIR expected to be adopted
2025 Construction expected to begin
2028 Construction expected to finish and project operational

Sacramento-Roseville Third Track Service Expansion Project

Funding: TIRCP, Prop 1A, Prop 1B
ENVIRONMENTALEXPERIENCE

With the addition of a third railroad track between Sacramento and Roseville, the Capitol Corridor would be able to increase frequencies between the two stations. An overnight train layover/servicing facility will also be a part of the project.

2015 Environmental phase complete
2016 Awarded $87M from TIRCP, Prop 1A and 1B towards project design and construction
2021 25% design complete
2022 Phase one final design to be complete
2023 Phase one construction to begin

SR 84 Intermodal Center

Funding Source: TIRCP Project Impact (Environmental, Rider Experience, or Safety):
EXPERIENCE

As a companion project to South Bay Connect, it builds vertical circulation from the Ardenwood rail station to directional bus stops aligned and on SR 84. The proximity of the bus stops to the rail will vastly improve bus travel times and facilitate movement between rail and bus services connecting from East Bay to the Peninsula.

Key milestones:

2021 Required Caltrans Documentation developed
2022 CEQA Environmental documentation and review process initiated
2022 Design documentation commences
2025 Construction expected to begin
2028 Construction expected to finish and project operational

Peoplesense Trials

Funding Source: CCJPA & TIRCP Project Impact (Environmental, Rider Experience, or Safety):
EXPERIENCE

Real-time person counting using machine learning techniques and artificial intelligence methods to provide passengers real-time and predictive car by car occupancy counts and also assist in conductor fare collection and overall passenger analytics via a real-time database that can be easily queried.

Key milestones:

2018 Initial portable device testing – phase one
2019 Trainset based remote testing – phase two
2021 Machine learning/artificial intelligence and GTFS occupancy development – phase three
2022 Commercial deployment – final phase

Carquinez High Level Crossing Studies

Funding Source: TIRCP and TBD Project Impact (Environmental, Rider Experience, or Safety):
ENVIRONMENTAL Experience

The lifting of the current Benicia-Martinez Rail Bridge is a current source of delays and causes trains to get out of slot. Any expansion of Capitol Corridor service between Oakland and Sacramento would be limited by the nature of the current lift bridge and how the waterway is used for marine traffic. The study is to begin the process of establishing alternative high-level (non-lift) rail bridge options across the Carquinez strait which can be the basis of future project development phases.

Key milestones:

2021 Developed funding package and initial studies scope
2022 Examine feasible and viable high-level options via a study – phase one
2023 Narrow options via a deeper study and present options to leadership at CCJPA and CalSTA – phase two
2024 Fund project development phases in environmental and initial design
2027 Complete CEQA/NEPA project development and 30% design
2029 Complete 100% design
2030 Commence construction
2033 Complete construction of a viable high-level bridge replacement with approaches

Agnew Siding Improvement Design

Funding: SRA, TIRCP
EXPERIENCESAFETY

This project creates a new place for trains to meet and pass south of the Great America Station, easing train congestion in the South Bay. Trains that have been impacted by congestion will see these related more than once delays reduced to less than daily on average and to a few minutes from an average of
13 minutes.

2019 Final design started
2022 Final project design to be completed
2023 Construction to begin

Davis Station Improvement Project

Funding: PTA SRA, CCJPA Revenue Above Budget
EXPERIENCESAFETY

CCJPA is collaborating with Amtrak and Union Pacific for track and signal upgrades. This is the first phase of a larger future project of improvement initiatives at Davis Station that will improve safety and ADA access with a center island platform.

2019 $4M committed for track and signal upgrades
2021 Platform replacement design kickoff
2022 Track and Signal design completion
2023 Track and signal upgrade completion
2026 Platform replacement completion

Passenger Information Display System (PIDS) Modernization

Funding Source: SRA Project Impact (Environmental, Rider Experience, or Safety):
EXPERIENCE

The existing PIDS was designed and implemented in the early 2000’s, and both software and hardware have been in use without major upgrades since then. The PIDS Modernization project will implement a new PIDS with new software and hardware that improves upon the functionalities of existing PIDS.

Key milestones:

2020 Software development began
2022 Implementation at stations to begin

Renewable Diesel

Funding: CCJPA Operating Budget
ENVIRONMENTAL

In collaboration with the California Air Resources Board (CARB), CCJPA has identified and is currently testing alternative fuel options that will work with Tier 4 Charger locomotives which operate with high-pressure fuel systems.

2016 Exploration of alternative fuel options
2017 Renewable fuels tests on F-59 locomotives
2019 Renewable fuels tests on Tier 4 Charger locomotives
2020 Renewable testing suspended for 3 months due to covid service reductions. Currently are just past halfway completed and schedule to complete testing by May 2021
2021 Run time testing completed
2022 Evaluation of system engine parts

Surfliner Door Panel Replacement

Funding: Caltrans Division of Rail and Mass Transportation
EXPERIENCESAFETY

Over time, there has been an increase in delays associated with the existing door panels on 22 Surfliner rail cars; the door panels are in need of replacement due to age. The new door panels will mitigate related delays, be more secure, and offer a quieter ride by reducing exterior noise.

2019 Procurement of new door panels for 22 Surfliner cars
2020 Installation of door panels to begin after Thanksgiving Holiday period
2021 Project completion

Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority Board

Placer County Transportation Planning Agency
Jim Holmes
Bruce Houdesheldt
Sandy Amara (Alt.)

Sacramento Regional Transit District
Kerri Howell
Steve Miller
Jeff Harris (Alt.)
Patrick Kennedy (Alt.)

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District
Debora Allen
Bevan Dufty
Janice Li
John McPartland
Robert Raburn
Rebecca Saltzman
Elizabeth Ames (Alt.)

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
Lisa Gillmor
Raul Peralez, Vice Chair

Solano Transportation Authority
Harry Price
James P. Spering
Ron Rowlett (Alt.)

Yolo County Transportation District
Lucas Frerichs
Don Saylor, Vice Chair
Gloria Partida (Alt.)

Executive Officers
Robert Powers, Executive Director
Robert Padgette, Managing Director