A bumpy ride for California’s Amtrak as pandemic surges Amtrak has lost a staggering $800 million, with California’s three routes losing 65-85% of passengers. Service has been cut back substantially. Credit: Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters A passenger boards a Bakersfield-bound train at the Emeryville Amtrak station on Dec. 16, 2020. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters Author: ELIZABETH CASTILLO (CALMATTERS) Updated: 1:57 PM PST December 17, 2020 Gabriella Choe has been a regular Amtrak passenger for the past four years, traveling from Oakland to Sacramento to see her parents. Before the pandemic, she rode the train nearly every other weekend. But as the pandemic worsens, her visits are now infrequent, and she doesn’t plan on traveling for Christmas.