SOUTH BAY CONNECT PROJECT: HAYWARD RISKS LOSING AMTRAK STATION WITH LITTLE COMMUNITY INPUT

Mayor Salinas and Council Offer Tepid Response as Capitol Corridor Plans Major Rail Shift

I’ve examined the South Bay Connect Project and discovered that Hayward faces the imminent loss of its Amtrak station as Capitol Corridor officials move forward with plans to reroute intercity rail service. At the January 28th City Council meeting, Mayor Salinas and the council discussed the project in a work session, but their response was notably muted, leaving many residents concerned about transparency, equity, and the city’s future connectivity.

WHAT IS THE SOUTH BAY CONNECT PROJECT?

The South Bay Connect Project, led by the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA), proposes to reroute Capitol Corridor trains off the existing Union Pacific Niles Subdivision (which serves the Hayward Amtrak station) and onto the more direct Coast Subdivision, a freight line owned by Union Pacific. The plan would eliminate stops at the Hayward Amtrak and Fremont-Centerville stations, consolidating service at a new intermodal station near Ardenwood in Fremont.

Project proponents—including CCJPA and consulting firm Kimley-Horn—argue that this reroute will improve travel times, reduce delays, and streamline connections to Silicon Valley. But for Hayward, the project means the loss of its only intercity rail station and a significant reduction in transit options for residents and businesses.

COMMUNITY IMPACTS: HAYWARD LEFT BEHIND?

I’ve found that the South Bay Connect Project will have real impacts on Hayward residents, especially those who rely on Amtrak for regional travel. The Hayward station, located at B Street and Meekland Avenue, serves as a critical hub for commuters, families, and students traveling throughout the Bay Area and beyond.

“Taking away our Amtrak station would make it much harder for working people, especially those without cars, to get to jobs and family in other parts of the region,” said Glenn Kirby, a longtime Hayward resident. “It feels like Hayward is being left behind while other cities get new investment.”

For many, the prospect of traveling to an Ardenwood station—located miles away with limited public transit connections—means longer commutes, more transfers, and higher costs.

MAYOR SALINAS AND THE COUNCIL: A WEAK RESPONSE

At the January 28th work session, Mayor Salinas and the City Council listened to a presentation from CCJPA and Kimley-Horn but offered little in the way of strong advocacy for Hayward’s interests. Council Member Roche asked about shuttle connections, while Council Member Syrop raised questions about environmental impacts, but nobody demanded a firm commitment to maintain rail service in Hayward.

“Mayor Salinas said she was ‘concerned’ but stopped short of insisting on a solution that keeps Amtrak in Hayward,” noted Ro Aguilar, a transit advocate who followed the meeting. “We need real leadership to fight for our city—otherwise, decisions will keep being made without us.”

EQUITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE QUESTIONS

I’ve found that the removal of Hayward’s Amtrak service raises serious equity concerns. Hayward is a diverse, working-class city where many residents rely on public transit. Redirecting rail service to a less accessible location puts the burden of inconvenience on those least able to drive or pay for ride-hailing services.

Environmental justice advocates have also raised questions about increased vehicle trips and pollution if more Hayward residents are forced to drive to Ardenwood or other stations.

LACK OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

The council discussed the project in a work session format, which does not allow for the same level of public input as a formal hearing. The city’s outreach on the project has been minimal, with most residents learning about the potential loss of Amtrak service only after decisions were already far along.

“I never got a notice about this project, and I use the train every week,” said Maria Gonzalez, a Hayward commuter. “It feels like they’re making decisions behind closed doors.”

WHAT HAYWARD CAN DO

If Hayward wants to keep its intercity rail service, stronger action is needed. The council could:

• Demand that CCJPA maintain service at the Hayward station, even with the new route
• Insist on robust shuttle or bus connections between Hayward and any new stations
• Mobilize residents to testify at future meetings and demand equity in regional transportation planning
• Explore partnerships to fund last-mile connections or alternative transit options

CONCLUSION: HAYWARD AT A CROSSROADS

The South Bay Connect Project highlights a broader trend of regional transit planning that sidelines cities like Hayward unless local leaders and residents speak up. Mayor Salinas and the council now face a choice: accept the status quo and let Amtrak service slip away, or fight for fair treatment and modern transit options for all Hayward residents.

As the project moves forward, I’ll continue to report on its impacts and hold city leaders accountable for protecting the interests of our community.

Tom Wong is an investigative reporter focusing on municipal governance and transit equity in Hayward and the Bay Area.