Photo courtesy Amtrak San Joaquins.

Amtrak San Joaquins has changed its train schedules, in part to better accommodate weekend leisure travelers.

Starting Monday, the following changes will occur on the 701:

– Departure time from Fresno will be 20 minutes later, at 4:45 a.m., with a scheduled arrival in Sacramento of 7:59 a.m.

– On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, service on the 701 will include Bakersfield, departing there at 10:15 a.m., followed by a stop in Fresno at 12:04 p.m. and arriving in Sacramento at 3:24 p.m.

As for the 718 train between Oakland and Fresno, its Sunday-Thursday schedule will stay the same, except on Fridays, Saturdays and holidays, when after its 9:52 p.m. Fresno stop the train will continue south to Bakersfield, arriving there at 11:59 p.m.

“Changes in the schedule will improve weekend availability for leisure travelers in Oakland, Sacramento, the San Joaquin Valley and as far south as Los Angeles by providing full corridor service that is better timed for the passenger,” states a press release from the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority, which administers Amtrak San Joaquins.

“Additionally, the change to 701 allows early travelers headed to the Sacramento area relief in both boarding and travel time,” David Lipari, marketing manager for the authority, stated in the release. “We want to make this change to offer improved timing to passengers ahead of the holidays.”

In addition, San Joaquins is adding cars to existing trains to increase capacity for the holidays.

Amtrak is encouraging riders to purchase their ticket in advance, as seats may sell out on some trains and Thruway buses, which Amtrak offers in some areas to get passengers to and from train stations.

Ticket reservations are required starting today through Dec. 27.