Earlier this month, Amtrak launched new intercity rail service that provides more convenient connections between Fresno and Sacramento through new early morning and evening trains.  The new schedule allows San Joaquin Valley residents to get to Sacramento before 8am and departs the state capitol in the late afternoon.  “This is going to be important that we make this a success, then we’re going to start other morning express trains,” San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority Chair Vito Chiesa told Fox 40 News on the first morning of the inaugural service.

Chiesa was referencing even grander plans that are now underway thanks to a recently awarded $500 million Transit & Intercity Rail Program (TIRCP) grant that will allow more frequent Amtrak San Joaquin intercity rail service from Fresno to the Sacramento region along an existing freight corridor that runs just east of Interstate 5. The funding award also supports the extension of Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) service to Sacramento from San Jose and Silicon Valley. New rail stations funded through the grant in Elk Grove, Sacramento City College, Midtown Sacramento, Old North Sacramento, and Natomas will provide area residents abundant new options that will allow convenient access to the new train service.

“The Sacramento community is very excited about this project,” said City of Sacramento Vice Mayor Steve Hansen. “Right now we have train tracks that run through midtown without providing any benefit to the local area. By building a new station in midtown we will now tap into that existing infrastructure, bringing customers to our local businesses, and providing new easy access for our local residents to reach key parts of the Bay Area or destinations throughout the Central Valley.”