WiFi Coming To California's Capitol Corridor Trains

Amtrak California's Capitol Corridor service will soon be adding WiFi to its list of customer amenities thanks to a $20 billion transportation bond passed by voters four years ago.

1 minute read

February 23, 2011, 10:00 AM PST

By Irvin Dawid


The Capitol Corridor trains will be joining a handful of others including "Amtrak's Cascades trains between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Eugene, Ore., (that) instituted free WiFi service two weeks ago. Acela Express trains between Boston and Washington, D.C., installed free WiFi last year."

These Amtrak California inter-city trains travel between San Jose and Sacramento/Auburn - they are subsidized by the rail division of Caltrans and managed by BART. The other two Amtrak California rail systems, the San Joaquins and the Pacific Surfliners, are scheduled to offer the service later this yar.

"Funding for the WiFi program comes from $3.75 million in transportation infrastructure bonds approved by state voters in 2006. Installation is expected to take place over the course of this year."

"Internet access is the number one rider-requested amenity," Capitol Corridor Managing Director David Kutrosky said.

The trains already have a well-patronized cafe car, complete with alcohol and discounted BART cards (for ease in transferring to BART at the Richmond station).

Thanks to Patricia Matachek

Saturday, February 19, 2011 in The Sacramento Bee

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Historic homes in St. Augustine, Florida.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs

Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

March 18, 2025 - Newsweek

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands

The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

March 17, 2025 - The Wall Street Journal

Glass building with green tree behind it.

EPA Terminates $116 Million in Grants for Reducing Emissions from Construction Materials

C-MORE grants were earmarked for industry trade groups and universities.

March 27 - Inside Climate News

White BART trains passing each other on elevated track in Fruitvale, California.

BART Closes $35 Million Deficit

Cost control and revenue generation measures prevented service cuts.

March 27 - Mass Transit

Black hearse seen from behind driving on multilane road.

The New Parisian Hearse is a Bicycle

Sleek, silent, and sustainable, a green trip to the graveyard has hit the streets of the French capital.

March 27 - Momentum Magazine