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AMTRAK NEWS RELEASE
NEW CENTER LOADING PLATFORM BUILT AT RICHMOND STATION The Richmond Intermodal Transfer Station is now a truly intermodal facility with easy access between BART, Amtrak trains and bus transit to provide direct links between local, regional and intercity transportation. A new center-loading passenger platform has been built at the Richmond Intermodal Transfer Station to allow Amtrak passengers convenient direct access between the station and trains. The new platform improves connections between the various modes of transportation that serve the facility. The new center platform is 800 feet long and includes benches, canopy and lighting. There is direct access by elevator and stairway from the platform to the station plaza below. The project is a partnership between a number of agencies including AC Transit, Amtrak, BART, Caltrans, Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, City of Richmond, Contra Costa County, Contra Costa Transportation Authority, Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Richmond Redevelopment Agency, Union Pacific Railroad, West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee (WCCTAC) and WestCAT. The agencies anticipate that easier access to the Amtrak platform will increase intercity train ridership and relieve some of the congestion on nearby Interstate 80. Amtrak serves approximately 200 daily intercity passengers on San Joaquin and Capitol Corridor trains at the Richmond Station. Weekday ridership on BART is approximately 5,300 and AC Transit has seven bus lines with 317 buses daily at the facility. A Grand Opening ceremony will be held on Thursday, July 19, beginning at 10:00 a.m. Representatives of the City of Richmond, Caltrans, Amtrak West, Capitol Corridor, BART and other transportation agencies will participate in the ceremonies. A ribbon cutting across the access to the passenger platform will be part of the program and visitors will have an opportunity to pick up timetables and brochures, and enjoy refreshments. The Richmond Intermodal Transit Station is located at 16th Street and Macdonald Avenue in the Civic Center area of downtown Richmond. ###### |
