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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 06281994 - S.5 S.5 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Contra FROM: SUPERVISOR TOM POWERS, DISTRICT ONE Costa DATE: JUNE 28, 1994 s : •r�. ..�•• County SUBJECT: CONSIDER SUPPORT FOR CALTRANS' REQUEST FOR A TEMPORARY WAIVER OF THE 55% FAREBOX RECOVERY RATE AND APPROVAL OF CORRIDOR TRACK IMPROVEMENTS FOR THE CAPITOL INTERCITY TRAIN SERVICE SPECIFIC REQUEST(S) OR RECOMMENDATIONS) & BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS Approve transmittal of letter from Chair, Board of Supervisors, to the California Transportation Commission in support of CalTrans' pending requests regarding the CAPITOL intercity train service which seeks a temporary waiver of the 55% farebox recovery rate and funding approval of a corridor track improvement program. FISCAL IMPACT None. BACKGROUND/REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS At its July meeting (6th and 7th) , the California Transportation Commission (CTC) will be requested to act on two specific requests from CalTrans: 1) grant a one year waiver on the deadline for the CAPITOLS, as state supported service, to acheive the required 55% farebox , by the third year of operation; 2) approve and allocate $56.8 million for track and signal upgrades in the CAPITOL corridor to provide faster and more frequent service. It is essential that both requests be approved because if they are not, the future of the CAPITOL service may be in jeopardy. The Transportation Committee has reviewed this matter and concurs with my recommendation to forward the attached letter (marked as Exhibit "A") from the Board of Supervisors to the CTC expressing support for CalTrans' two requests. CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENT: X YES SIGNATURE V RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR _ RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S) : ACTION OF BOARD ON r Fl //��i APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED _,�_ OTHER V VOTE OF SUPERVISORS XX I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A � l UNANIMOUS (ABSENT TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF AN AYES: NOES: ACTION TAKEN AND ENTERED ON THE ABSENT: ABSTAIN: MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. - Contact: Patrick Powers, Supv. Powers ATTESTED { , /� cj cc: Community Development Department (CDD) PHIL�BATCHELO , CLERK OF MTC (via CDD) THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BY , DEPUTY The Board of Supervisors Contra CP1rklofthehBoard and County Administration Building Costa Coun Administrator 651 Pine St., Room 106 A(510)646_2371 Martinez, California 94553 County Tom Powers,1st District Jeff Smith,2nd District s e L Gayle Bishop,3rd District _ �. Sunne Wright McPeak,4th District % \' Tom Torlakson,5th District fT't COUf:� June 28, 1994 Ms. Octavia Diener, Chairperson California Transportation Commission 1120 'N' Street, Suite 2221 Sacramento, CA 95814 Dear Commissioner Diener: On behalf of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors, I am writing in support of two Caltrans' requests currently before the California Transportation Commission (CTC). These requests ask .the CTC to approve 1) the $56,826,100 Capitol Route Improvement Project (supplemented by $10,115,672 in SP funds); and 2) extension of the required 403(b) 55% farebox ratio deadline. The importance of sustaining the current Capitol service, and enhancing it over time, is critical to the provision of an effective, multi-modal transportation system in the Capitol Corridor of which my community is a part. Without CTC approval of the aforementioned requests, Capitol service will be confronted with a serious obstacle to its continuing success. We have invested too much in this service to let this happen. With current patronage numbers and farebox returns showing marked improvements over past years, it seems we are within striking distance of the 55% requirement. The capital improvements to be financed with the approximately $67 million noted above, will provide faster, more reliable and comfortable service and encourage more ridership. The agreement between Caltrans and SP to upgrade tracks and signals also provides for the operation of up to 20 intercity daily roundtrips, a provision which will significantly benefit not only the Capitols but the San Joaquins as well. The future looks bright and-we encourage your continued support for making the Capitols a better system. Sincerely, L J Tom Powers Chair, Board of Supervisors tp1:Diener.Crc MTC METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION C O M M I S S I O N Alameda County June 24, 1994 EDWARD R.CAMPBELL E.WILLIAM WITHROW Contra Costa CountyTom Powers, Chairman RECEIVE TOM POWERS SHARON J.BROWN Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors Marin County County Administration Bldg. JUN 2 71994 DOUG WILSON 651 Pine Street, Room 106 Martinez, CA 94553 Napa County. CLERK BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FRED NEGRI Dear Chairman Powers: CONTRA COSTA CO. San Francisco- City and County ( J TOM HSIEH J I wish to draw your attention to a serious matter. At its July meetingb 6th and 7th), the RUBIN GLICKMAN California Transportation Commission (CTC) will be requested to act on two Caltrans' San Mateo County requests: MARY GRIFFIN JANE BAKER 1.) approval and allocation of$56.8 million for the Capitol Route track and Chairwoman signal upgrade project, to be supplemented by a$10.1 million contribution Santa Clara County from Southern Pacific; and ROD DIRIDON JAMES T.BEALL,JR. 1) approval of a one year waiver on the deadline for the Capitols, as a State Solano County supported (403b) rail service, to achieve the required 55% fare box return. JAMES SPERING Sonoma County As of this writing, there is some concern that these requests, the Capitol upgrade request PETER C.FOPPIANO in particular, may not be approved by the CTC. It is essential that both requests be Association of approved because if they are not, the future of the Capitol service may be in jeopardy. Bay Area Governments DIANNE MCKENNA The upgrade program will have significant and positive impacts on the Capitols. The Vice-Chair Caltrans/SP agreement will provide for up to 20 intercity daily round trips in the Capitol S.F.Bay Conservation and Development Corridor. The track and signal improvements will reduce travel time between Commission Sacramento and San Jose by 20 minutes, improve on-time performance, and give ANGELO J.SIRACUSA passengers a more comfortable ride. (It should also be noted that this agreement will State Business, benefit the San Joaquin service: six of the 20 "slots" are intended for the San Joaquins; Transportation and Housing Agency there will also be benefits in comfort, travel time, and on-time performance) All of these JOE BROWNE factors will help to keep the customers currently riding the trains and encourage U.S.Department additional riders, a pre-requisite for achieving the required 55% farebox return. of Transportation WILLIAM P.DUPLISSEA We as supporters and users of the Capitol service know the benefits our communities are U.S.Department deriving from it: its an option to the automobile in the severely congestion I-80/1-880 of Housing corridor; its good for air quality, and it contributes to energy conservation. The service and Urban Development GORDON H.MCKAY also has the potential to affect land use decision around train stations to bring about denser and more compact development patters, patterns which would make transit a more viable option. Executive Director Current performance by the Capitols is good and improving. Ridership for the first eight LAWRENCE D.DAHMS months of the current fiscal year showed a 53% increase over the same period last year, Deputy Executive Director and revenues show an increase of 23% for the same period. So we're heading in the WILLIAM F.HEIN right direction. JOSEPH P. BORT METROCENTER • 101 EIGHTH STREET • OAKLAND,CA 94607-4700 510/464-7700 • TDD/TTY 510/464-7769 • FAX 510/464-7848 In order to continue this positive momentum, I would encourage each of you to advise the CTC of your support for the Caltrans' requests. You should address any communication to: Ms. Octavia Diener, Chair California Transportation Commission 1120 `N' Street, Suite 2221 Sacramento, CA 95814 (I've attached a model letter to help you in this.) When we know exactly the day and time when this item will come before the CTC (on July 6 or 7), my staff will advise you by FAX or phone call. You may wish to attend the meeting to make your interests known. In the meantime, if you have any questions or comments, please contact John McCallum at MTC (Phone 510/464/7819; FAX 510/464-7848). Thank you for your support. Sincerely, :W �t� Spering Chair, ACR-132 ( apitol Corridor) Policy Advisory Committee and Mayor, City of Suisun City SP:JM:rbp Dsk 3: L-ACR Advocacy Letter p.s. Thanks to those of you who have already written to CTC on this matter Ms. Octavia Diener Chairperson California Transportation Commission 1120 `N' Street, Ste. 2221 Sacramento, CA 95814 Dear Ms. Diener: On behalf of my (City/County/Agency), I am writing in support of two Caltrans' requests currently before the California Transportation Commission (CTC). These requests ask the CTC to approve 1) the $56,826,100 Capitol Route Improvement Project (supplemented by $10,115,672 in SP funds); and 2) extension of the required 403(b) 55% farebox ratio deadline. The importance of sustaining the current Capitol service, and enhancing it over time;is critical to the provision of an effective, multi-modal transportation system in the Capitol Corridor of which my community is a part. Without CTC approval of the aforementioned requests, Capitol service will be confronted with a serious obstacle to its continuing success. We have invested too much in this service to let this happen. With current patronage numbers and farebox returns showing marked improvements over past years, it seems we are within striking distance of the 55% requirement. The capital improvements to be financed with the approximately $67 million noted above, will provide faster, more reliable and comfortable service and encourage more ridership. The agreement between Caltrans and SP to upgrade tracks and signals also provides for the operation of up to 20 intercity daily round trips, a provision which will significantly benefit not only the Capitols but the San Joaquins as well. The future looks bright and we encourage your continued support for making the Capitols a better system. Sincerely,