Capitol Corridor train schedule back on track

To Thomas F. Jacobi, Regional VP, Operations West, Union Pacific Railroad: In 2004 CC Riders' Lord Mayor Robert Conheim wrote to you expressing the frustration and anger of riders over the delays that plagued our passenger rail service in Northern California.Train service at that time was so consistently poor that many riders chose to switch to other means of transportation, including driving and taking buses. On-time performance was hovering in the 60-70 percent range. The outlook for efficient and effective travel by rail was bleak.Since those dark days in 2004 however, riders have noted a dramatic improvement in the on-time performance of our trains. In fact, in reviewing the latest statistics provided by Capitol Corridor, Train 536, which is the evening train to Auburn and also the busiest train in the system, showed on-time performance of 94 percent or higher for each of the last four months, with the last two, November and December 2007, at 100 percent each month.We know that this phenomenal performance did not just happen by accident. We know that you and your team, along with the Capitol Corridor team, and AMTRAK have been meeting regularly since 2004 to resolve the issues that chronically plagued passenger rail operation for many years.We have not hesitated in the past to express our displeasure when things were not working and we feel that it is equally important to recognize great performance when it happens. You and your team, along with Capitol Corridor and AMTRAK, deserve the highest praise for the tremendous efforts put forth in turning performance around 180 degrees.It is, once again, a pleasure to ride the train and have confidence that on most days we will arrive at our destinations on time. Our employers thank you. Our families thank you. And most of all, we, the undersigned riders, thank you for helping make all this possible.Chuck RobuckNewcastle and CC Riders of Placer County Capitol Corridor trains