n TRANSPORTATION
Second Crossing, a long-range multibillion-dollar joint
effort between Amtrak and Bay Area Rapid Transit, is by far
the most ambitious project. It would have tracks run across
San Francisco Bay to San Francisco, maybe via bridge, maybe
through a tube. It’s speculated the project could take up to 20
years, but would “open up a new market to service the North-
ern California Megaregion,” Kutrosky says.
The Sacramento-San Francisco leg is the most-traveled on
the Capitol Corridor line. With a second crossing of the bay —
BART uses the Transbay Tube — “Sacramento passengers would
no longer have to transfer in Emeryville to a bus or in Richmond
to BART to get into the city. They would have a one-seat ride,
with continuing service down the peninsula,” Kutrosky says.
Work on the “very initial” stages has begun, he says, in-
cluding BART commissioning a $50 million, 10-year feasibil-
ity study.
OFF-ROAD UPGRADES
On March 21, a man was hit and killed by a Capitol Corridor
train at the Davis Amtrak station. In a statement, Amtrak offi-
cials noted that “about 2,000 people are killed or injured each
year in grade crossing and trespassing incidents nationwide.”
In comparison, auto accidents kill more than 1 million people
annually.
Yet, safety remains a top priority. Last year, the Capitol
Corridor outfitted its f leet with a computer system called
Positive Train Control. In extreme situations, such as ap-
proaching a curve too fast, it would take control and stop
the train to avoid a major crash.
On-time reliability is also key, particularly considering
the inf lux of commuter riders. From December 2018 to Feb-
ruary of this year, Capitol Corridor’s average weekday on-
time performance score ranged from a low of 70 percent to
the high 90s, with most in the middle to high 80s.
“If we’re not going to be on time, our passengers want to
know right away so they can make alternate plans,” Bakar
says. To that end, service alerts go out over email, text and
Twitter and are accessible on an app.
Added to that are enhanced communications systems,
such as onboard digital displays, interactive voice response
with 24/7 telephone support and improved wayfinding at
stations, Bakar says.
Amenities and money-saving deals include recently
upgraded free Wi-Fi, charging ports, a car with food and
drinks, multiple discounts, and other promotions.
“We want customers to get on board and feel like they
can leave the stress of everyday life behind them,” Bakar
says.
Join the California State Railroad Museum
in commemorating the
150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD
with new exhibits, special events,
train rides and more.
SESQUICENTENNIAL
COMMUNITY DAY
Old Sacramento Waterfront
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
SESQUICENTENNIAL
GALA
Presented by Union Pacific
Saturday, May 11, 2019
THE JUDAH MAP
On display in its entirety for the first time ever
through May 31, 2019.
GOLD SPIKE EXHIBIT REDESIGN
A permanent new home for one of the original Gold Spikes.
THE CHINESE RAILROAD WORKER EXPERIENCE
Gain a deeper understanding of workers’ lives
through this ongoing exhibit.
For more information, visit Railroad150.org.
CaliforniaRailroad.Museum
#railroad150
Old Sacramento Waterfront
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comstocksmag.com | May 2019