Sacramento Valley Station (SVS) is preparing for a major service boost and a series of infrastructure improvements as the City of Sacramento continues work on long-planned transit, mobility and development projects around the historic rail hub.
Capitol Corridor last month restored two additional trains, bringing service levels at SVS back to pre-pandemic levels with 30 trains serving the station daily.
The San Joaquin’s have been rebranded as the Gold Runner with a new schedule that includes the return of a second daily roundtrip between Sacramento and the Central Valley. The train will arrive in the noon hour and depart Sacramento just after 5 p.m., providing riders with more flexibility for both weekday commutes and weekend travel.
With Amtrak Coast Starlight and California Zephyr interstate trains, SVS now has 36 weekday trains at the station.
City officials say the increased service comes as Sacramento moves forward on several major projects funded through the state’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP), supported by Senate Bill 1 gas tax revenue and Cap-and-Trade funds. Construction has begun on a new north station entrance, which will connect the existing passenger tunnel to a future urban plaza and entertainment district north of the tracks.
“This level of investment shows how Sacramento is building a modern, multimodal transportation gateway for the region,” said Greg Taylor, project manager with the City’s Department of Public Works. “With renewed rail service and major station upgrades underway, we’re creating a better experience for riders while supporting future transit-focused development.”
Additional City-led projects expected to advance next spring include the remaining segment of a drainage line that will allow two nearby storm-detention parcels to be ready for future housing and mixed-use transit-oriented projects.
Work is also progressing on key mobility connections around the station. The City is in preliminary design for a two-way protected cycle track on H Street, aimed at improving safe bike access for commuters and visitors.
In addition, design work has begun on the south extension of Bercut Street, which will complete the missing connection needed to open a bike and pedestrian tunnel built in 2015. Once finished, the tunnel will link the Sacramento Waterfront to the Central Shops District west of the station.
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