Capitol Corridor ridership holds steady in FY10

After recording a ridership drop in fiscal-year 2009, California’s Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) posted steady passenger counts during FY2010, which ended Sept. 30. Nearly 1.6 million passengers rode Capitol Corridor intercity passenger-rail trains during the fiscal year — about the same as in FY2009. Although ridership “struggled” during the fiscal year’s first five months, it increased 4 percent during the past seven months, according to a prepared statement.

FY2010 revenue increased 4 percent compared with FY2009 and on-time performance held steady at 93 percent. For the month of September, on-time performance shot up to 98 percent — the best intercity passenger-rail performance in the country, according to CCJPA.

The authority attributes the year’s results to a recovering economy, improved performance by track owner Union Pacific Railroad, and two marketing promotions launched in spring that provide free rides for children on weekends and half-price tickets for senior citizens.

Capitol Corridor trains operate along a 170-mile route between the Sierra Foothills, Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley/San Jose.