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Capitol Corridor Rail Ridership Continues on Upward Trend

OAKLAND, Calif.-- The Capitol Corridor Trains, which provide inter-city service between
Colfax-Sacramento-Oakland/San Francisco and San Jose, these days are seeing their highest ridership ever, and
according to the latest survey of passengers, are also receiving high marks for quality of service by the riders.

During federal fiscal year 1999, October 1, 1998 through September 30, 1999, ridership on the Capitol Corridor
trains saw a steady upward trend, with a record high for the month of June. The June spike in ridership, which was
up 44 percent over June 1998, was partly attributed to new customers using the Capitol Corridor trains to get to and
from the Rail Fair in Sacramento.

Generally, ridership on the Capitol Corridor has been averaging 18 percent over fiscal year 1998, with August 1999
hitting 22% growth and September hitting 29%.

"This is very good news because it underscores the market potential for the service," said Steve Cohn who chairs the
Capitol Corridors Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA), which oversees the service. Cohn noted that with the addition of
the 6th train frequency last February, a threshold was crossed which now offers travelers transportation service and
not just train service. The results are showing in ridership growth.

Cohn said that the CCJPA will be monitoring the ridership growth trend closely as it considers further improvements
in service frequency.

He said that work has been underway for some time on getting additional service to San Jose and adding a seventh
train between Oakland and Sacramento.

Meanwhile, a national survey of its passengers conducted by Amtrak over the past year puts the Capitol Corridor
trains among the nation's top performers in terms of rider satisfaction and quality of service with a customer approval
rating of 90%, third in Amtrak's national system.

Since assuming responsibility for management of the Capitol Corridor Trains in July 1998, CCJPA has added two
trains to the daily service, bringing the total to six.

Capitol Corridor trains operate over 185 miles of track between Colfax, north east of Sacramento, and San Jose with
stops in Auburn, Rocklin, Roseville, Sacramento, Davis, Suisun City/Fairfield, Martinez, Richmond, Berkeley,
Emeryville, Oakland, Hayward, Fremont/Centerville and Santa Clara/Great America.

The trains offer food and beverage and are fully accessible for disabled persons. "Rubber-tired extensions of the
railroad" (dedicated connecting bus service) is also operated between Sacramento and Grass Valley/Nevada City;
Reno, Nevada; South Lake Tahoe; between Emeryville and downtown San Francisco and the San Francisco
International Airport; between San Jose and Santa Cruz, Monterey/Carmel and Santa Barbara.

The Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority provides this service in partnership with Amtrak, the California
Department of Transportation and the Union Pacific Railroad.

For schedule information call 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245) or the Website: www.amtrakcapitols.com.