California State Rail Plan 2007-08 to 2017-18

Chapter III – Operations ProgramStation AmenitiesPassenger amenities are also provided at stations on all three State routes.The 10-year capital program includes several station improvement and parkingprojects, including the Emeryville and Richmond Stations (on the San Joaquin andCapitol Corridor Routes), and new station projects in Elk Grove, Stockton andMadera on the San Joaquin Route. The 10-year plan also includes new parkingprojects at the Oxnard, Fullerton, and Solana stations on the Pacific SurflinerRoute. Over the years, most of the existing stations were either rebuilt orsignificantly upgraded. Near-term projects involve deployment of next-generationticket machines on the Pacific Surfliners to allow cross ticketing between Amtrakand Metrolink. Also, the Department encourages mixed-use development, at ornear stations that can provide improved access to food, entertainment andtransportation services.Passenger InformationPassenger information serves both a marketing and operational function.The Department is continually looking for new ways to inform customers andpotential customers about: rail service; transit, air and auto connections to trainsand connecting buses; and locations served by trains and connecting buses.Passenger information is disseminated in various forms, including: telephoneinformation; printed timetables; signage and displays at stations and bus stops; andvia the internet. The Department seeks to provide passengers with information onthe “total trip”, including extensive information on destinations.Amtrak’s national telephone information number, 1-800-USA-RAIL, is the mostwidely used source of information for Amtrak California customers. The traintimetable (for each of the three State routes) provides essential passengerinformation. Timetables, which are updated with every schedule change, providetrain and connecting Amtrak bus schedules, a list of connecting transit services(including detailed information on commuter rail connections), and a list ofpassenger amenities for each station.Passenger information is also provided at train stations, bus stops, and on theinternet. The timetable is displayed on “Info Posts” at all train stations (on theplatform) and bus stops (at the stop). These displays include local area maps withinformation (including phone numbers) for hotels, restaurants, rental car agenciesand other services located near the station. All Info Posts are updated with everyschedule change. Electronic Passenger Information Display Systems (at allstations on the three State routes) provide passengers with real-time audio andvisual information on train arrivals and departures. These information displays areespecially helpful at un-staffed stations. Future projects include displaying realtimeinformation on the train status of connecting commuter and transit systemsIn 1996, the Department established the Amtrak California web site,www.amtrakcalifornia.com, that provides detailed information on California51