Capitol Corridor Report

September 15, 2004

Suisun City Hall

Reported by Russ Jackson

A meeting of the CCJPA is always a treat, in that everyone involved is so happy with the success of the Capitol Corridor that any problem areas are minimized by a strong financial base and dedicated directors, and and top notch staff. The CCJPA is the only one of its kind in the U.S. This was the first meeting of the CCJPA since April, so there was much work to do.

A report from the chairman, Placer County's Kathy Sands, brought some good news upfront. The state has issued its 2004-05 funding letter, meaning there will be no more question as to the budget (see below). The Union Pacific has approved the location of the proposed Hercules station on San Pablo Bay, which should be under construction next year, and the UP has approved the plan for construction at CP Post in Santa Clara County, which when constructed will allow the expansion to 14 daily trains to San Jose.

1. The approved 2004-2005 budget contains $1,259,964 for Administration, $1,174,000 for Marketing, and $23,586,000 for service. Also approved at this meeting was the new service agreement with Amtrak for the next year, which continues the current 24-daily train schedule and associated feeder bus routes, plus the addition of additional trains to San Jose pending the completed track improvements (there are other projects underway), plus the extension of 4 added trains to/from Roseville and two to/from Auburn. The latter extensions are dependent upon track improvements in the Roseville Yard facility, and the CCJPA is waiting for the UP to submit proposed design plans for that. The Amtrak agreement contains two interesting provisions unique to the Corridor, where the UP has agreed to a modified railroad performance payment program of higher incentives for improved dispatching separate from Amtrak's national payment for systemwide national train performance (more later). The agreed amount to Amtrak is a "fixed" contract, so any overruns must be absorbed by Amtrak! Also continued is Amtrak's Route Contribution Analysis cost structure from last year, which has resulted in cost reductions of $300,000 from the contract amount which the CCJPA will reinvest toward track infrastructure improvements and other "amenities."
2. CCJPA/BART Executive Director Thomas Margro presented a list of legislative matters affecting the Corridor, with recommendations for/against each one. The Board voted to oppose SB1759, which eliminates transfer of funds to the Public Transportation Account, and voted to support several others including a) a Motor Vehicle Fuel Sales Tax revenue transfer of revenues from Proposition 42, and making a 4/5 vote required to do so; b) Increasing fines for stopping on railroad tracks to $311 (it was pointed out car pool lane violations fines are $207), which the Governor vetoed saying he didn't agree with the approach; c) Federal legislation that reauthorizes TEA-21 for transit and highway programs; plus other federal propositions for rail security.
3. The marketing plan for the next year was approved. The list of activities won't change much from previous years due to the budget, but as part of the program a new agreement has been agreed with Glass McClure Advertising as a joint effort with Caltrans so the marketing of all three California rail corridors will be unified and provide a larger budget pool, resulting in cost efficiencies.
4. Regional Measure 2 which the voters passed earlier this year provided a $1 increase in bridge tolls, and sharing the proceeds with several agencies. Two projects were included that affect the Capitol Corridor: a) Preliminary design and environmental phases for the Dumbarton Rail Project, which will provide an east to west rail connection across the San Francisco Bay and connect to the Capitol Corridor at the Union City BART station and will have a station stop in Newark on the east and at Menlo Park on the west, connecting to Caltrain at that end. b) In Solano County two sidings will be connected on the UP at the east end of the Benicia Bridge, which will allow the UP to do its switching at the auto racks without entering the main line, thereby increasing the flow of Capitol trains and improving their reliability.
5. The Berkeley track improvement project to upgrade the UP tracks at the Berkeley station required a cost overrun of $226,778.98 (a 44% increase). The reasons stated by the UP were extended labor hours and material costs due to the limited work windows available to their crews at that location. With heavy passenger and freight traffic past that location the windows to complete work were very small. No completion date was provided.
6. A feasibility study to extend the Capitol Corridor to Reno, NV, has been approved by the board in conjunction with Caltrans and other agencies in both states. According to CCJPA Managing Director, Gene Skoropowski, the UP has put everything, including all capital improvement studies, on hold pending resolution of the railroad's capital spending plans. Increased freight traffic has resulted, as we all know, in major disruptions to not only Amtrak trains, but most UP freight trains as well. On time performance for both has been dismal, and not just on the UP. When the railroad straightens itself out then all current capacity models for the proposed service will have to be redone to reflect the current conditions. A new station in Nevada County, at Sugarbowl, is included in the project. The CCJPA Board approved a small increase in the budget for this feasibility study, which now totals $235,673.
7. Last, but not least, in a lengthy Managing Director's Report, Mr. Skoropowski reported that ridership began to grow substantially again in April, probably attributable to the UP's improved dispatching and a 10-minute reduction in travel time in the April timetable. Revenue has also begun to "track upward," with total to date 3% ahead of last year, while slightly below the Business Plan. What really counts, however, is the Revenue-to-Cost ratio, which shows "a 40% recovery from fares" in June, the best month this year, with a Year to Date average of 38%. The goal for the year is 39%. As for the on-time problems, Mr. Skoropowski reported the UP is hiring more train crews and maintenance of way workers, which will help solve some of their internal problems. The UP might move some of its freight trains from Roseville to Stockton to free up more access through the Roseville Yard. On Time reached 76.6% in June, due to increased traffic on the Corridor from the rerouted San Joaquins and freight trains, but rebounded to 87% in August. Since then crossing accidents, brush fires and bridge failures have caused September problems. Amtrak is "placing added attention to improve the maintenance of the fleet and eliminate locomotive failures." The opening of the new Amtrak Maintenance facility October 12 in Oakland will further this goal. Mr. Skoropowski also discussed Amtrak's "State Corridor Initiative" in its Five Year Plan and the positive effect it could have on capital projects in California and on the Corridor. "Many are advocating a national passenger rail policy and system," he said, "and the timing for this initiative has never been better."