Berkeley station (California)

This article is about the current Amtrak train station in Berkeley. For the former station, see Berkeley station (Southern Pacific Railroad). For the BART station often called Berkeley, see Downtown Berkeley station.

Berkeley, CA
A San Joaquin train passing the station in 2018
General information
Location	University Avenue and Third Street Berkeley, California United States
Coordinates	37°52′02″N 122°18′03″W
Line(s)	UP Martinez Subdivision[1]
Platforms	1 side platform
Tracks	2
Connections	AC Transit: 51B, 802
Other information
Station code	Amtrak: BKY
History
Opened	1913, 1986
Closed	April 30, 1971
Rebuilt	2005
Previous names	West Berkeley
Passengers
FY 2023	77,341[2] (Amtrak)
Services
Preceding station Amtrak Following station Emeryville toward San Jose Capitol Corridor Richmond toward Auburn      California Zephyr does not stop here      Coast Starlight does not stop here      San Joaquins does not stop here
Former services Preceding station Amtrak Following station Emeryville toward Oakland–Jack London Square San Joaquins 1986–1993 Richmond toward Bakersfield Preceding station Southern Pacific Railroad Following station Oakland toward Oakland Pier Shasta Route Richmond toward Portland Overland Route Richmond toward Ogden Oakland Terminus San Joaquin Daylight Richmond toward Los Angeles
Location

Berkeley station is an Amtrak station in Berkeley, California, served by Amtrak California's Capitol Corridor service. The station is located under the University Avenue overpass just west of 4th Street. It is served directly by AC Transit bus routes 51B and 802; additionally, AC Transit Transbay routes FS, G, and Z stop nearby at 6th Street.

History

The first Berkeley station along the east shore was located at the Delaware Street railroad crossing,^[3] appearing on timetables as West Berkeley to differentiate it from the then-operating downtown station.^[4]

The former station building in 2018

The modern station building was built by the Southern Pacific in 1913, although it has since been turned into a restaurant.^[5][6]

Amtrak California service at Berkeley began in 1986 with the twice-daily San Joaquins, which then operated between Oakland and Bakersfield.^[7] Berkeley was an original stop on the Capitol Corridor (originally named Capitols) when that service began in late 1991. San Joaquins service at Berkeley ended in 1993 because of low ridership, but trains continue to pass through the station without stopping. The station building was designated a Berkeley Landmark in 2001.

The current platform opened on September 17, 2005, after a $2.4-million renovation.^[8] Additional renovation work included installation of nighttime lighting, benches and landscaping; improved access for people with disabilities; and street repaving and new striping for more efficient access by buses, bicycles, paratransit, shuttles and taxis.^[5]

See also

• Berkeley station (Southern Pacific Railroad) for a different Southern Pacific station (now demolished)

References

1. SMA Rail Consulting (April 2016). "California Passenger Rail Network Schematics" (PDF). California Department of Transportation. p. 3.
2. "Amtrak Fact Sheet, Fiscal Year 2023: State of California" (PDF). Amtrak. March 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
3. "West end station will be moved to University Avenue". The Berkeley Gazette. October 27, 1903. p. 1. Retrieved November 17, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "Local Time Tables" (PDF). Southern Pacific. April 1907. Retrieved December 20, 2020 – via wx4's Dome of Foam.
5. "Berkeley, CA (BKY)". Great American Stations. Amtrak.
6. "Brennan's in Berkeley: Sports Bar and Restaurant". Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
7. Amtrak (April 27, 1986). "Western". National Train Timetables. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
8. Artz, Matthew (September 20, 2005). "Berkeley Train Stop Gets $2.4 Million Upgrade". Berkeley Daily Planet. Retrieved July 22, 2012.

External links

Media related to Berkeley station (California) at Wikimedia Commons

• Berkeley, CA – Amtrak
• Berkeley, CA – Station history at Great American Stations (Amtrak)