FasTrak Tags Now Available at Suisun City Train Station

Commuting drivers can now purchase a FasTrak toll tag at the Suisun City Train Station as part of the Bay Area Toll Authority's effort to expand the retail locations for the automatic tolling device. >> Map to Train Station >>

The FasTrak transponder can be purchased at the Transit Information Center in the Train Station staffed by the Rio Vista Delta Breeze. Until July 15, new customers who pick up a FasTrak toll tag can get up to $10 in free tolls.

"With the toll tags available at the Suisun/Fairfield Amtrak Station and the Rio Vista Municipal Airport, central Solano County bridge commuters have another location where FasTrak enrollment can become more convenient," said Solano County Supervisor and Bay Area Toll Authority member Jim Spering. "And convenience is really what FasTrak is all about. Because FasTrak customers prepay their tolls, they don't have to stop to pay cash at a toll booth. The correct toll is deducted electronically from a customer's prepaid account when they pass through the toll plaza. Having the tags available at the Suisun/Fairfield Amtrak Station and Rio Vista Municipal Airport is especially timely for carpool commuters because they will have to use FasTrak to qualify for the new discounted carpool toll that begins July 1."

The new $2.50 carpool toll, which is half of the new $5 regular toll (and a $3.50 discount off the new $6 peak-period toll on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge), will be assessed for carpool vehicles that cross the region's state-owned toll bridges in designated carpool lanes on weekdays from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

July 1 also will mark the debut of congestion pricing—also known as time-of-day pricing—on the Bay Bridge, which is by far the region's busiest toll bridge. Beginning July 1, auto tolls on the Bay Bridge will vary from $4 during weekday off-peak hours, to $5 all day on Saturdays and Sundays, and to $6 from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays. The regular auto toll will rise to $5 from the current $4 at all times on the six other state-owned toll bridges: the Antioch, Benicia-Martinez, Carquinez, Dumbarton, Richmond-San Rafael and San Mateo-Hayward bridges.

For Rio Vista Delta Breeze transit route and schedule information, call (707) 374-2878 or 511 and say "Rio Vista Transit." You can also visit Rio Vista Delta Breeze on the internet at www.deltabreeze.org. Rio Vista Delta Breeze is a service of the City of Rio Vista.

Railroad work to impact Capitol Corridor schedules

For all of our local Capitol Corridor commuters and other riders, we wanted to pass along this info from today's Vacaville Reporter and this Capitol Corridor link for more info:

Union Pacific Railroad will begin Phase 1 of a two-phase track infrastructure project, which will affect Capitol Corridor service.

Starting Monday (Jan. 18), Phase I involves upgrading tracks between Capitol Corridor's Suisun/Fairfield and Sacramento stations.

To accommodate work crews, from Monday through Feb. 14, Capitol Corridor will run on a modified schedule and a bus bridge from Sacramento to Suisun will be in effect for some late-morning and mid-day trains.

This work is designed to keep the railroad in good condition so trains can operate safely and reliably.

Four trains will be suspended during the construction period to give Union Pacific extra time to work. Eastbound trains No. 534 and No. 746 and Westbound trains No. 533 and No. 745 will not operate Monday to Feb. 14.

Some changes to connecting motorcoach bus service will also occur as a result of the work.

Temporary train schedules are available at staffed stations or online at www.capitolcorridor.org. Passengers may also call (877) 974-3322 for assistance.

McCoy Creek Bike Trail work starts

Construction work started this week on the McCoy Creek Bicycle and Pedestrian Path, a major new neighborhood asset that will provide alternate transportation options and add to the City's safe routes program.

It's the first phase of a bike path that is planned to follow McCoy and Laurel creeks right through the middle of Suisun City.

The work being done now will connect the Central County Bikeway on the north side of Highway 12 with Pintail Drive. That will allow residents of the Pintail area to access the Central County Bikeway to get to the Sunset Avenue Shopping Area.

This phase of the project is being funded by $400,000 in grants from Caltrans and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District. The BAAQMD offers these types of grants to innovative projects that specifically provide opportunities for alternative modes of transportation.

Work on the new bike path is expected to wrap up in mid-September.

Click here for more detailed information about this exciting addition to Suisun City's bike trail system.