Environmental report on Capitol Corridor service relocation, elimination of Hayward station scheduled for key hearing tomorrow

The board of directors of a joint powers authority made up of six public transit agencies is meeting tomorrow to decide whether to certify an Environmental Impact Report on its plan to relocate Capital Corridor rail service, a project that would eliminate the service’s Hayward station. 

The Environmental Impact Report (EIR) is supposed to evaluate the potential negative impacts associated with the project and explore alternatives. In a July 10, 2024, letter, the City of Hayward said the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) had not adequately explored less costly and less disruptive ways of achieving intended service improvements. The letter noted additional shortcomings and concerns, including that relocating Capitol Corridor service to the west would likely result in more disruptive freight train traffic through the heart of Hayward. 

The CCJPA Board of Directors is scheduled to take up the EIR at 10 a.m. tomorrow at an in-person meeting at the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board Room at 2150 Webster Street, Oakland. EIR certification is required for the relocation project to move forward. 

Capitol Corridor rail service connects cities from San Jose to Auburn and is the main public transit line between the Bay Area and Sacramento. The CCJPA is made up of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, BART, Solano Transportation Authority, Yolo County Transportation District, Sacramento Regional Transit District and Placer County Transportation Authority. 

For more information about the relocation project, called South Bay Connect, go online here to the resources page on CCJPA website. For information on how to attend the CCJPA board meeting in person, online or by phone, go online here to the Board of Directors page on the CCJPA website.