On August 11, 2005, Caltrans and Amtrak hosted the annual "Taste Test" to select future menu items for the San Joaquin food service cars. It was held at Chef Mario's in Alameda, and was well attended by some hungry rail advocates. Here are the "RailPAC Suits" who attended (l-r) Arthur Lloyd, who is also the facilitator for the San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee; Bruce Jenkins; and Bill Kerby. They and RailPAC photographer Russ Jackson did not go home hungry. Look for several new items on the trains in the Valley this Fall.

MEETING REPORT

San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee Meeting

Martinez, CA, July 14, 2005

Reported by Russ Jackson

The mid-summer meeting of the SJVRC, held each year in the cool weather of Martinez rather than out in the steaming Valley, is always well attended even if there is no pressing business to conduct as was the case on this date. Many come for the excellent luncheon that is provided by Contra Costa County and committee member Howard Abelson. No one goes home hungry from this meeting, let me tell you.

The appointment of Bill Bronte (photo) as the Chief of the Caltrans Rail Division was announced. Bill has served as acting Chief since Warren Weber retired early this year. Caltrans has also redone its website, www.Amtrakcalifornia.com. (Caltrans photo)

An inquiry during the Public Comment period asked whether the San Joaquins might resume stopping at the Berkeley station once its re-construction is complete. Caltrans' Eric Schatmeier said they are looking at that idea. The San Joaquins ceased serving that location because of very low ridership.
A guest speaker from Richmond spoke about the construction of a new train station in that city that will get underway soon, to match the nearby construction of a transit village and a new BART parking facility. That city is looking to revitalize its downtown area, and rail is vital for their future.
Rick Depler, from the BNSF Ft. Worth office, spoke about the On Time Performance problems that have plagued both the San Joaquins and his company's freight trains for the past few months. The Union Pacific has been doing daily maintenance windows in the Tehachapis, but not scheduling the work far enough in advance that the BNSF and Amtrak could make schedule adjustments. (The BNSF and UP share that trackage.) However, the UP has been more predictable lately and trains are showing an improvement in OTP. Those work windows are scheduled to end by August 1. Mr. Depler provided the Committee with a full written report of the performance of the San Joaquins over the past few months. The good news is in the first two weeks of July OTP has been 87.5%.
The Committee heard a presentation by representatives of Glass-McClure, the advertising agency used by Caltrans Rail and Amtrak in California. Many members of the Committee have asked about marketing the trains in the Hispanic community. Eric Schatmeier reminded the group that Caltrans/Amtrak marketing budget is the same as it was in 1992, so dollars must be stretched further each year. The speakers explained the advertising goal is to increase riders and revenue. They focus on the challenges, and heavily utilize research of current and potential "customers," those most likely to ride a train. Media buys use print and radio in the Valley, with Hispanic radio getting a share. Other approaches include free opportunities, like the campaign with Applebees that distributed 60,000 coupons, and heavy community involvement and information distribution at events. Research has shown that 5% of riders have responded to the advertising (14% of first time riders).
Other Marketing/Operations reports revealed that two San Joaquin trains, #711 and 718, will be extended from Oakland's Jack London Square to the new Oakland Coliseum station for Raider home football games this fall. Mr. Schatmeier reported that if this is successful they will apply to extend trains to Oakland A's games as well.
The newly signed state budget has allocated $73.8 million for the rail program, no change from the past 5 years. Prop 42 funds that will come to the state will provide capital funding for rail. Mr. Bronte was unable to attend the SJVRC meeting, as he was in Los Angeles discussing these projects with the California Transportation Commission. Meanwhile work continues on already funded projects in the state, and the opening of the Fresno station which was dedicated in February is "moving positively," with Amtrak getting estimates of the costs of moving its electronics into the new building. When that is complete the station can at last open. Amtrak's Liz O'Donoghue reviewed Amtrak's financial situation and reported she is optimistic, following the U.S. House of Representatives increasing its budget recommendation to $1.17 billion. She urged the Committee to continue its support. The state legislature is expected to pass and sign AJR-18, a resolution supporting funding for Amtrak, soon and send it to the Governor.
Chairman Bob Waterston (Fresno County Supervisor, and a retired firefighter/paramedic) asked that the Committee be briefed on what is being done regarding the safety of the trains. A speaker from the Transportation Safety Agency will be invited to speak at the September 8 meeting in Stockton.


RailPAC Contacts Publications Issues Meeting Reports 2005 Reports 2005-11-16 Capitol 2005-11-10 San Joaquin 2005-11 Announcement 2005-10-24 Bay Area 2005-09-21 Capitol 2005-09-14 LOSSAN 2005-09 Coast and TAMC 2005-09-08 San Joaquin 2005-07-14 San Joaquin 2005-07-11 TAMC 2005-06-25 CASHRA 2005-06-16 LOSSAN 2005-06-15 Capitol 2005-05-30 TAMC 2005-05-12 San Joaquin 2005-04-27 Coast Rail 2005-04-19 LOS-SAN 2005-03-11 San Joaquin 2005-02-16 Capitol 2005 Annual 2005-01 San Joaquin 2005-01 Monterey Membership Links	On August 11, 2005, Caltrans and Amtrak hosted the annual "Taste Test" to select future menu items for the San Joaquin food service cars. It was held at Chef Mario's in Alameda, and was well attended by some hungry rail advocates. Here are the "RailPAC Suits" who attended (l-r) Arthur Lloyd, who is also the facilitator for the San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee; Bruce Jenkins; and Bill Kerby. They and RailPAC photographer Russ Jackson did not go home hungry. Look for several new items on the trains in the Valley this Fall. MEETING REPORT San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee Meeting Martinez, CA, July 14, 2005 Reported by Russ Jackson The mid-summer meeting of the SJVRC, held each year in the cool weather of Martinez rather than out in the steaming Valley, is always well attended even if there is no pressing business to conduct as was the case on this date. Many come for the excellent luncheon that is provided by Contra Costa County and committee member Howard Abelson. No one goes home hungry from this meeting, let me tell you. The appointment of Bill Bronte (photo) as the Chief of the Caltrans Rail Division was announced. Bill has served as acting Chief since Warren Weber retired early this year. Caltrans has also redone its website, www.Amtrakcalifornia.com. (Caltrans photo) An inquiry during the Public Comment period asked whether the San Joaquins might resume stopping at the Berkeley station once its re-construction is complete. Caltrans' Eric Schatmeier said they are looking at that idea. The San Joaquins ceased serving that location because of very low ridership. A guest speaker from Richmond spoke about the construction of a new train station in that city that will get underway soon, to match the nearby construction of a transit village and a new BART parking facility. That city is looking to revitalize its downtown area, and rail is vital for their future. Rick Depler, from the BNSF Ft. Worth office, spoke about the On Time Performance problems that have plagued both the San Joaquins and his company's freight trains for the past few months. The Union Pacific has been doing daily maintenance windows in the Tehachapis, but not scheduling the work far enough in advance that the BNSF and Amtrak could make schedule adjustments. (The BNSF and UP share that trackage.) However, the UP has been more predictable lately and trains are showing an improvement in OTP. Those work windows are scheduled to end by August 1. Mr. Depler provided the Committee with a full written report of the performance of the San Joaquins over the past few months. The good news is in the first two weeks of July OTP has been 87.5%. The Committee heard a presentation by representatives of Glass-McClure, the advertising agency used by Caltrans Rail and Amtrak in California. Many members of the Committee have asked about marketing the trains in the Hispanic community. Eric Schatmeier reminded the group that Caltrans/Amtrak marketing budget is the same as it was in 1992, so dollars must be stretched further each year. The speakers explained the advertising goal is to increase riders and revenue. They focus on the challenges, and heavily utilize research of current and potential "customers," those most likely to ride a train. Media buys use print and radio in the Valley, with Hispanic radio getting a share. Other approaches include free opportunities, like the campaign with Applebees that distributed 60,000 coupons, and heavy community involvement and information distribution at events. Research has shown that 5% of riders have responded to the advertising (14% of first time riders). Other Marketing/Operations reports revealed that two San Joaquin trains, #711 and 718, will be extended from Oakland's Jack London Square to the new Oakland Coliseum station for Raider home football games this fall. Mr. Schatmeier reported that if this is successful they will apply to extend trains to Oakland A's games as well. The newly signed state budget has allocated $73.8 million for the rail program, no change from the past 5 years. Prop 42 funds that will come to the state will provide capital funding for rail. Mr. Bronte was unable to attend the SJVRC meeting, as he was in Los Angeles discussing these projects with the California Transportation Commission. Meanwhile work continues on already funded projects in the state, and the opening of the Fresno station which was dedicated in February is "moving positively," with Amtrak getting estimates of the costs of moving its electronics into the new building. When that is complete the station can at last open. Amtrak's Liz O'Donoghue reviewed Amtrak's financial situation and reported she is optimistic, following the U.S. House of Representatives increasing its budget recommendation to $1.17 billion. She urged the Committee to continue its support. The state legislature is expected to pass and sign AJR-18, a resolution supporting funding for Amtrak, soon and send it to the Governor. Chairman Bob Waterston (Fresno County Supervisor, and a retired firefighter/paramedic) asked that the Committee be briefed on what is being done regarding the safety of the trains. A speaker from the Transportation Safety Agency will be invited to speak at the September 8 meeting in Stockton.
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