Wolk applauds Capitol Corridor expansion

Addition of eight new trains will increase service to and from Sacramento

SACRAMENTO–Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) celebrated the addition of eight new trains to Capitol Corridor train service between Sacramento and the Bay Area this week. 

Wolk applauded the expansion at a ceremony held at the Sacramento Valley Station Tuesday, calling the service a “great asset to the region” and a prime example of “If you build it, they will come.”

“Since 1998, the Capitol Corridor service has quadrupled from 8 to 32 weekday trains, and the number of riders has increased to 1.3 million, making the corridor the third busiest route in the Amtrak system,” said Wolk. “This is quite an impressive feat by the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, which has been managing this service over the last 8 years.

“I was at the ribbon cutting in September 2003 for the opening of the second track on the Yolo Causeway, and saw the almost immediate benefits of investment of State transportation funds. And over the past 3 years, service has only gotten better.”

Wolk credited efforts to improve Capitol Corridor service by former Assembly Member Tom Hannigan, and urged continued investment in the successful service through Proposition 1B, the transportation bond on the November 2006 ballot. The bond would invest roughly $400 million for Caltrans intercity rail projects, including improvements to several stations in the 8th Assembly District.

Wolk closed with observations on the train service’s rejuvenation of communities along the route, and the general advantages of train travel. 

“I am a great supporter of train travel – especially passenger train service, which is more economical than any other motorized means of travel.  It is environmentally friendly, improves air quality, and induces smart growth around the stations. With this unprecedented increase in service, the Capitol Corridor trains will continue to improve the quality of life for those who live and work along this corridor.”