Contra Costa County Supervisor Diane Burgis defended the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority decision to close down the Amtrak Station.
Burgis was part of a 6-1 vote in March 2023 where the SJJPA voted to close the Antioch Amtrak station in mid-2025. The vote came amid issues with crime, homelessness and multiple issues with the surrounding area. Conversations about the station closure date back to 2017.
Burgis issued the following statement Thursday:
It is my understanding that the SJJPA decision to decommission the Antioch Amtrak station had been years in the making. It was based on persistent crime, violence and homelessness around the station that created an unsafe situation for passengers and Amtrak workers. I joined the SJJPA board when the situation had already escalated to the point where decommissioning seemed the only option for the SJJPA to maintain safe rail service. I am working with SJJPA and other agencies now so that riders have continued access to regional rail services, we grow ridership in Contra Costa County , and we can decrease the number of cars on our roads.
In the 16 months since the SJJPA’s vote, I have heard from many concerned folks about this issue, but the City of Antioch itself needs to step up and fix things to make the station safer and more accessible to riders. It’s curious that this is being raised in public in the months before Antioch holds an election, but I will be committed to growing our regional rail ridership long after this election cycle.
Burgis issued a statement the day after Congressman John Garamendi (D-Fairfield) sent a letter to the SJJPA Board of Directors opposing the closure. Garamendi said the closure would disadvantage the community.
“Residents of Antioch and elsewhere in Contra Costa County rely on Amtrak to commute to and from work, school, and essential services in neighboring communities across the Bay Area and into the Central Valley. Evidently, the Joint Powers Authority’s planned closure of the Amtrak station in Antioch coincides with the opening of a new Amtrak station in Oakley later this year,” wrote Garamendi.
He added: “Removing passenger rail service is not a solution to crime and homelessness, but rather further disadvantages the community. “
Garamendi’s comments come 16-months after the SJJPA decision to shutter the station due to the City of Antioch opting to pass a resolution opposing the closure—at the request of Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock.
Last March, Burgis argued during the SJJPA meeting that any decision made needed to be looked at regionally and what would drive more ridership, not just an impact on the City of Antioch. She explained at that time, regionally, an Oakley station would be more convenient to the entire region and get more people onto the trains and take vehicles off the roadway.
She also said the new station was a more convenient location not only for Oakley, but for most of Antioch such as Southeast Antioch who actually are closer to the Oakley station. She also added the station made more sense for Brentwood, Bethel Island, Discovery Bay, Rio Vista, and even Tracy who would utilize the station.
SJJPA Executive Director Silent
Stacey Mortensen, SJJPA executive director, has not responded to multiple requests regarding the AMTRAK station or what efforts the City of Antioch has taken in the past 16-months to show they actually want to keep the station open, or if its advocates who have picked up the issue on Antioch’s behalf.
She has not responded to questions on what improvements the city has made in the area, addressing crime or homelessness near the AMTRAK station or if the SJJPA was aware of the recent Grand Jury Report highlighting Antioch has a staffing shortage of over 20% when compared to the national average of 5% vacancy rate–including not having hired a permanent city manager since Cornelius Johnson resigned in June 2023.
Other tidbits:
- Antioch Stolen Vehicles & Parking: Antioch has limited parking downtown while the city has experienced 957 vehicle thefts through July 20, 2024.
- Antioch Homelessness increases: The 2024 Contra Costa County Point in Time survey showed Antioch had the biggest increase in homelessness for a total of 413–the most in the county.
- Oakley Park & Ride: In September of 2022, Tri Delta Transit announced the opening of a new park and ride with 164 parking spots.
- Amtrak Ridership Data – click here
- Amtrak Fact Sheet 2023 – click here
6-1 Vote to Close Antioch Station
Per the Staff Report, there have been several issues at the Antioch-Pittsburg Passenger Stop which staff has determined justifies decommissioning this passenger stop for the San Joaquins. Below is a list of the larger issues reported and is not an all-inclusive list:
- In September 2019, due to safety concerns with the unhoused population, the passenger shelter was demolished after a homeless individual was found residing on the roof.
- Due to the unhoused population challenges, the previous Antioch City Manager approved the decommissioning of the stop.
- In December 2022, unhoused individuals were camped inside the ADA shelter; Amtrak staff requested they vacate. When staff returned later, the homeless individuals had stolen the wheelchair lift (valued at $11,000). Until the wheelchair lift is replaced, passengers who use a wheelchair must board in either Martinez or Stockton.
- Amtrak onboard staff have been assaulted by passengers boarding in Antioch.
- To reduce fare evasion, the Antioch – Pittsburg stop uses the streetcar method, with only one door opened per train for boarding and deboarding passengers
Staff also cited crime data which included 69 calls for service between January 2021 to December 2022 at the Antioch Amtrak Station—including employees assaulted noting this is the only stop on the entire AMTRAK corridor where one door is open and shut at a time to prevent fare evasion and assault on conductors. The also sited an $11k in damages to ADA wheelchair access, if someone requires this they would have to travel to City of Martinez or City of Stockton to board AMTRAK.
Board Members asked why couldn’t they keep both Antioch and Oakley stations, which staff replied it was due to BNSF rules on distance between stations–approximently just 6 miles apart.
Previous stories:
- July 22 – Antioch Looks to Pass Resolution Opposing Amtrak Station Closure
- March 25 – Antioch Amtrak Station to be Decommissioned for Oakley Station
Other articles of interest
- July 17, 2024 – Whodunnit? No proof any city staff member approved Antioch’s Amtrak station closure
- March 13, 2018 – Homeless encampment discovered on top of Antioch Amtrak station
8 comments
Ain’t nobody going to Antioch to ride this train. Everybody knows ridership goes up once this station is moved to another city that is safe and not full of bums greeting you on and off the train. Nice to see Burgis actually have a backbone for a change.
Nice to see another elected official come out and spank Thorpe and actually attempt to hold Antioch accountable for their failures. About time. Burgis will likely now be attacked by Thorpe and his minions of idiots.
Too bad homeless guy camped out on top of building embarrassed those running antioch.
Typical of nutty Antioch US versus THEM mentality their solution tear it down.
Burgis has done nothing for the city of Antioch, and neither has Glover. I do not disagree with her statement that the city of Antioch needs to “step up,” yet maybe she needs to ask her “community” that she represents as to what is needed. Be more proactive like Golla, who consistently sees out with the community and is not behind the murky waters of Discovery Bay, enjoying their significant raise for debate. It seems Burgis always wants to point fingers like Antioch city officials or every other politician in the U.S. nowadays. The only time you see Burgis is when there needs to be a photo op taken with a disadvantaged child or children from Antioch. In a like manner, if you are only blaming Thorpe for this matter, then you should check yourself; this has been an ongoing discussion even while he was at the council. Remember, Thorpe was the only council member who showed up at the SJJPA meeting to oppose. Burgis saying pointing the finger at Antioch is like saying solve the homelessness yourself, yet there are 3 cities surrounding Antioch that do nothing, plus the county. Kudos to Lori for also calling out our “congressional rep”.
Kinda hard to do something for Antioch when the council rejects outside help and wants to “lone wolf” every thing they try and fix.
Thorpe was the only one who showed up to the SJJPA because he kept the item from his council to play super hero and lost versus a joint approach. Lets not re-write history here.
@CCNEWS How long have Burgis and Glover represented Antioch? Think about that. I have spoken to mayors in the area, and I can confidently say they have no interest in addressing the homelessness issue. If I am correct, you stated there needs to be a regional approach for sideshows. Is it fair to say you also think the same about the homelessness issue? Additionally, Thorpe shows up to the SJJPA meeting to play superhero. We can, therefore, say Burgis shows up in Antioch to play superhero when a photo-op is needed next to disadvantaged children. Lets not re-take pictures…. no politician is perfect nor a God.
The entire city council needs to go. Even Householder got tired of it and is not running for re-election nor is Lauren Posada. This city is bad at strategic planning and this discontinuation of the amtrak has been in the making even before Thorpe became mayor. Ask not what Antioch can do for you but ask what you can do for your community!
Has the mayor or the city council publicly asked what they can do to save the station? All this time has gone by since & they still haven’t tried to fix this? I feel bad for all the businesses in our downtown that can’t leave. Shame on these city council members & mayor. More proof there is nobody at the wheel.
Antioch is a ship in process of sinking. Full Stop.
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