(The following article by Andrew McIntosh was posted on the Sacramento Bee website on April 26.)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — An apology rarely comes with a few bucks, but that’s exactly what Amtrak is offering riders on its Capitol Corridor train in Northern California until May 15.
Saying it is sorry for the train’s poor on-time performance so far in 2006, Amtrak is offering 10 percent discounts on multi-ride tickets purchased for the Capitol Corridor between now and May 15. The deal also covers its monthly passes.
The late trains resulted in a drop in ridership for both February and March, the railway said.
The passenger railway’s apology and compensation offer were printed in bold black letters on leaflets being distributed on empty train seats this month.
“We’re Sorry. Here’s 10% Off!” the leaflet states in bold black letters. ” … Capitol Corridor wants to thank our loyal riders for tolerating our poor on-time performance these past few months. Thanks for sticking with us through the bad times.”
Eugene K. Skoropowski, managing director for the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority, told riders in a message posted on the agency’s Web site that delays were due to record winter rainfall and related go-slow orders.
Track improvement projects and a surge of Union Pacific freight on tracks were also factors, his message states.
Skoropowski said trains were now back on time in well over 80 percent of trips. “We’re not there yet, but we are clearly moving in the right direction,” he adds.