California Passenger Rail Garners More Federal Funding
May 9, 2011
Contact: Debbie Mullins
Phone: (916) 654-5908
Email: debbie_mullins@dot.ca.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
California Passenger Rail Garners More Federal Funding
SACRAMENTO – The United States Department of Transportation awarded the California Department of Transportation’s (Caltrans) thriving intercity passenger rail program $68 million for improvements to its “Amtrak California” passenger rail services. In the May 9, 2011 announcement, Caltrans was a major recipient in a second round of competition for $2 billion in High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Program grants.
The federal grant award will enable Caltrans to purchase 15 new bi-level cars and four locomotives to serve its San Joaquin, Pacific Surfliner routes and the Capitol Corridor line. The Caltrans-funded Capitol Corridor line is managed by the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority.
The addition of new corridor-style bi-level cars and locomotives will provide the increased capacity needed to accommodate ridership growth.
“This grant comes at an opportune time as ridership gains momentum on all three state supported Amtrak California routes. We will be primed to meet the welcome growth of passenger rail service into the future,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.
2011 has been a banner year for all three state supported Amtrak California intercity passenger rail routes. The San Joaquin shot up 18.3 percent, the Capitol Corridor 10.8 percent and the Pacific Surfliner experienced an 8.2 percent increase in ridership from April 2010.
The new passenger cars and locomotives are critical components to meet capacity increases and prevent overcrowded trains. Along with the recent obligation of $100 million in April for 27 cars and two locomotives on the San Joaquin and Pacific Surfliner intercity corridors, Caltrans is now poised for a major expansion to the existing fleet of intercity cars and locomotives. The last significant fleet expansion was in 2001-2002 when the Department added 22 “Surfliner”-type bi-level cars to the fleet.
About Amtrak California
Amtrak California is a partnership between the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and Amtrak. Under the Amtrak California banner, Caltrans funds three intercity passenger rail corridors in California. Contributing more than $90 million annually in state operating assistance, Caltrans is the largest passenger rail capital assistance program in the nation. Amtrak California operates three of the five busiest state supported intercity passenger rail services throughout California including: the Pacific Surfliner Corridor, Amtrak’s second busiest corridor; the San Joaquin Corridor, Amtrak’s fifth busiest corridor; and the Capitol Corridor, which is managed by the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, Amtrak’s third busiest corridor. For more information visit AmtrakCalifornia.com; join us on Facebook at Facebook.com/AmtrakCalifornia; and follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/Amtrak_CA.
About Amtrak
Celebrating 40 years of dedicated service as America's Railroads, Amtrak is the nation's intercity passenger rail provider and its only high-speed rail operator. A record 28.7 million passengers traveled on Amtrak in FY 2010 on more than 300 daily trains - at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph) - that connect 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces. Amtrak operates trains in partnership with 15 states and four commuter rail agencies. Amtrak also is a strong financial performer achieving an 85 percent cost-recovery ratio in FY 2010. Enjoy the journeys at Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information. Join us on Facebook.com/Amtrak and follow us at Twitter.com/Amtrak.
