Meeting Report and Commentary

San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee (SJVRC)

Kings County Government Center, Hanford, 10 November 2005

Reported by Russ Jackson

Sometimes the best part of attending meetings of the various groups is the opportunity to ride a train to the meeting. That was very much the situation on this day as this writer rode San Joaquin bus/trains 712/715 on the day after David Gunn was fired as Amtrak CEO. While not an official part of the meeting, the discussions enroute were enlightening and informative. Shocked reactions ranged from "It should have happened a year ago," to great distress and a sense of "mourning." As you will see below the discussion of this issue carried over to the meeting.

Here is a copy of the current San Joaquin train menu, many of the items having been sampled at the August "Taste Test" by this writer and other RailPAC directors, and now tried out on the trains themselves. All who bought on this trip were pleased with the results, although a suggestion that a beverage be included with breakfast items was mentioned.

1. The Committee heard a report from Dennis Biggs, from the US Department of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration's San Francisco office, about how rail fits into the government's security planning. Mr. Biggs reported that airports are covered very well, and now attention has shifted to rail. One hundred Inspectors have been hired nationwide, with four assigned to San Francisco and four to Los Angeles. They are developing positive relationships with rail agencies to see how standards can be developed, based on "common sense." Arthur Lloyd pointed out that Caltrain has six bomb sniffing dogs, and so does BART, assigned to San Jose and for Amtrak use also. Chairman Bob Waterston (Fresno County Supervisor) asked what is available to rail agencies from local police departments. Mr. Biggs replied that he can direct agencies to where grants are available to apply for local needs. Cameron Beach from the Sacramento RT reported that the feds currently spend over $7 per passenger for air security, while the current budget spends $.001 per rail passenger.
2. Rick Depler, from the BNSF Ft. Worth office, reported briefly on the current status with on time performance. His company's OTP returned to 90% in October after major slippage during the summer when construction and maintenance projects caused major problems. In January the BNSF will replace 60,000 ties in the vicinity of Escalon, and will do this in a two week blitz working from 9 PM to 9 AM in order to cause the least interference with the San Joaquin trains.
3. During a discussion of train Marketing, Amtrak's Carol Shannon and Caltrans' Eric Schatmeier reported on the fall campaign launched in October that will continue through until Spring, "Travel Made Simple." No print ads will be used (any you see in newspapers are for the national trains and are placed and paid for by Amtrak, not the state). Radio in both English and Spanish, a San Francisco shopping promotion, the Raiders promotion focusing on the new Oakland Coliseum station, and others were mentioned. For the first time TV will be used in the major markets along the San Joaquin route, as the stations now sell 15 second spots that make the buy more affordable. Some clever spots have been produced. A big expansion of the bus feeder routes was instituted with the October timetable change, including a new one to Monterey. The 22 bus routes generate $8 million, more than breaking even. A college outreach program was instituted , with flyers placed in students' enrollment packages at several Valley institutions including the new UC Merced. As a starter project this Fall it has been successful, with 76 students replying so far that brought in $1200 in new revenue at no additional cost.
4. Amtrak's Elizabeth O'Donoghue spoke of Amtrak's record October ridership figures. She reported she was disappointed Mr. Gunn is no longer the CEO, but that she knows the Acting President, Mr. Hughes, is a "good guy." He is a career railroader, ex-SP as well as the B & M before becoming Amtrak's Chief Engineer. She said there will be no interruption in the day to day operations.
5. Construction projects south of Fresno are underway, with most scheduled to be completed within the next few months. The second track through the Hanford station should be completed by Christmas. A legal dispute with a pipeline operator near the Shirley siding has been settled in Caltrans favor so that project can now resume. Bill Bronte, Chief of Caltrans Rail Division (and featured speaker at the RailPAC January 28 Annual Meeting) reported a new location for the Stockton station has been obtained, in a large housing project east of the city near the BNSF "Mormon Yard." The station will be incorporated into the design of the project. On the train trip to the meeting Mr. Bronte pointed out the location, which is now an open field.
6. Representatives on Valley cities not currently served by the San Joaquins spoke, including the Mayor of Kingsburg, asking for future service. They are all on the UP line, away from the BNSF: Visalia, Kingsburg, Selma, Tulare, and others in between. The Committee promised to look into the possibilities, but with the outright opposition of the UP (and the SP before that), and no funds for new service of any kind, there is little prospect for this improvement in the near future.

The next SJVRC meeting will be January 12, 2006, in Bakersfield at 12:30.