5AM Hanford Departure-Returns Home 8:40PM
April 6,2016-
The Central Valley-based San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority that now runs Amtrak is ready to launch the 7th daily round-trip train along the San Joaquin cooridor. The new train would connect Bakersfield and Oakland with a stop in Hanford.
”We are shooting to be operational by June 6” says Dan Leavitt,manager of the JPA. The organization had promised to begin service this fiscal year.
The early morning train is scheduled to leave Hanford on the way to the Bay Area at 5:18 AM, about an hour earlier than existing service. It gets to Oakland by 10AM.”This allows travelers to spend a full day in the Bay Area and take the train back home to Hanford in the evening,” if they want, points out Leavitt. The train will arrive in Hanford at 8:40PM.
Currently the San Joaquin has six daily round-trip trains (four between Oakland and Bakersfield and two between Sacramento and Bakersfield. The trip from Bakersfield to Oakland takes an average of 6 hour 5 minutes, at around 52 mph.
“We were able to shave 12 minutes off the average travel time” for this new train, says Leavitt, because of less conflict with freight trains that travel on the same BNSF track.
The addition of the 7th train has been a top priority of the new JPA that includes Kings County representation on the 10 member board.
This is the first time since 2002 that an additional train will run along the corridor.
Leavitt says they have ordered new equipment for the train system including new double decker passenger cars as well as single level cars and new locomotives.
On tap for the JPA is the addition of an 8th train says Leavitt, that will likely launch every early morning from Fresno to be funded by state Cap and Trade monies.
Leavitt says a major priority for the JPA is to build ridership by encouraging more use of the service by small groups. Over 70% of the ridership are single riders. Beginning in May, Amtrak will offer discount fares called Friends and Family when one person buys a full price ticket an additional five tickets come at half price. Student and large groups get a break as well.
“Enjoy your visit on the way” to your destination, he adds, including access to the cafe car on each train
According to the JPA’s business plan in addition to increasing the frequency of the San Joaquin service,they plan for 90 mph maximum speed operations( instead of 79 mph) in key locations and other projects which can reduce travel times.
The rail corridor serves 1.2 million passengers a year but does not cover its full costs. For FY 2016/17 the San Joaquin operating subsidy is estimated to be $48.3 million (which includes $7.4 million for the 7th daily round trip).