Meeting Notice and Agenda

MEETING NOTICE AND AGENDA

LOSSAN RAIL CORRIDOR AGENCY JOINT POWERS BOARD The Board may take action on any item appearing on this agenda.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

11:30 am – 1:30 pm Lunch Provided

Board Conference Room, 3rd Floor LA Metro One Gateway Plaza Los Angeles, CA

SANDAG Staff Contact: Linda Culp (619) 699-6957 [email protected]

AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS

• ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (OCTA) AND CALTRANS LOSSAN CORRIDOR QUICK IMPROVEMENTS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

• LOSSAN CORRIDORWIDE STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT UPDATE

• OCTA METROLINK SERVICE EXPANSION PLAN

www.lossan.org

LOSSAN RAIL CORRIDOR AGENCY JOINT POWERS BOARD Wednesday, November 12, 2008

TAC ITEM # RECOMMENDATION

1. CHAIR’S REPORT

Welcome and Introductions

2. PUBLIC COMMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS

Speakers are limited to three minutes each.

+3. SEPTEMBER 5, 2008, MEETING MINUTES APPROVE

The meeting summary is included for approval.

+4. TRANSFER OF LOSSAN FEDERAL FUNDS FROM DEL MAR APPROVE BLUFFS PROJECT 2 TO SANTA MARGARITA BRIDGE REPLACEMENT AND DOUBLE TRACK PROJECT (Linda Culp, SANDAG)

In 2001, LOSSAN received $2.9 million in federal 5309 funds for the Del Mar Bluffs Stabilization Project 2 in San Diego County, a project completed under budget earlier this year. SANDAG requests LOSSAN approve the transfer of the remaining $430,000 in federal funds to another corridor project in San Diego County, the Santa Margarita Bridge Replacement and Second Track Project, in order to complete final design. Construction funds have already been programmed for this project.

5. UPDATE ON STATE ITEMS: STATE BUDGET, LOSSAN DISCUSSION CORRIDOR PROJECTS, STATEWIDE RAIL PROCUREMENT, AND JOINT AGENCY EFFORTS (Lam Nguyen, Caltrans)

Caltrans will provide an update on the funding status of corridor projects and status of the state budget situation. Staff from Amtrak, the three state-supported rail corridors, and the emerging coast rail corridor continue to meet weekly to strategize on joint efforts to maintain and increase rail funding. The next statewide rail board chair and vice chairs meeting is scheduled for Friday, December 12, 2008, at the Capitol Corridor offices in Oakland.

TAC ITEM # RECOMMENDATION

+6. STATUS OF FEDERAL LEGISLATION (Linda Culp, SANDAG) DISCUSSION

HR 2095, the Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act, was passed and signed in October 2008 and includes a number of opportunities for additional funds for corridor projects through this legislation. There may also be a second economic stimulus bill before the end of the year. Staff will provide additional updates at the meeting.

+7. ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (OCTA) DISCUSSION AND CALTRANS LOSSAN CORRIDOR QUICK IMPROVEMENTS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (Linda Culp, SANDAG)

The Technical Advisory Committee further refined the quick improvements implementation plan in response to the Board of Director’s review at their September 5, 2008, meeting.

8. LOSSAN CORRIDORWIDE STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT DISCUSSION UPDATE (Darrell Johnson, OCTA)

OCTA has contracted with Wilbur Smith Associates to conduct the LOSSAN Corridorwide Strategic Assessment. The project partners are Caltrans, Metro, OCTA, Metrolink, North County Transit District, and San Diego Association of Governments. An onboard survey of Pacific Surfliner, COASTER, and Metrolink riders was recently completed and a resident telephone survey for the entire LOSSAN corridor is planned for the next few weeks. A major task of this assessment will be to analyze a number of service alternatives for the corridor. The Board of Directors will discuss possible alternatives at the meeting.

+9. CORRIDOR TRENDS DISCUSSION

The latest statistics on corridor on-time performance, intercity ridership, and revenue statistics are attached.

TAC ITEM # RECOMMENDATION

10. OCTA METROLINK SERVICE EXPANSION PLAN INFORMATION (Darrell Johnson, OCTA)

The Orange County Metrolink Service Expansion Program continues to advance. This program will bring increased train service between Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Fullerton by the year 2010, with trains operating throughout the day and evening. Design is 90 percent complete, with construction expected to begin in early 2009. OCTA is proceeding with necessary right-of- way acquisition for the program and is working with station cities to address parking expansion plans.

11. OCTA PASSENGER FOCUS GROUPS (Ellen Burton, OCTA) INFORMATION

OCTA will present the results of recently conducted rider and non-rider focus groups. Two rider and two non-rider focus groups were recently conducted in June and July 2008. A summary of the attitudes/perceptions about existing rail service will be presented.

12. BOARD MEMBER UPDATES INFORMATION

13. 2009 MEETING SCHEDULE APPROVE

The Board of Directors is asked to approve the 2009 meeting schedule Wednesday, January 28, 2009 Wednesday, April 29, 2009 Wednesday, September 9, 2009 Wednesday, November 18, 2009

+ next to an item indicates an attachment

4 Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency JOINT POWERS BOARD

November 12, 2008 AGENDA ITEM NO.: 3

Action Requested: APPROVE

SEPTEMBER 5, 2008, MEETING MINUTES File Number 4000106

Attendance

The LOSSAN Board of Directors met on September 5, 2008, in Santa Barbara, CA. In attendance were:

Art Brown, OCTA, Chair Salud Carbajal, SBCAG Jacki Bacharach, Metro, Vice Chair Lam Nguyen, Caltrans Beatrice Proo, Metro Lou Bone, SCAG Julianne Nygaard, NCTD Brian Humphrey, VCTC Richard Dixon, OCTA Joe Kellejian, SANDAG Jerry Rindone, MTS Fred Munroe, SLOCOG

Meeting Summary

CHAIR’S REPORT

Salud Carbajal (SBCAG) welcomed the board to Santa Barbara, thanked SBCAG staff for hosting the meeting, and also introduced the Honorable Grant House, Councilmember from the City of Santa Barbara. Chairman Art Brown (OCTA) also welcomed the Board and introduced Mr. Lam Nguyen, acting chief for the Caltrans Division of Rail. Chairman Brown also recognized the Honorable Bruce Horton, Councilmember from the City of Santa Barbara later in the meeting.

PUBLIC COMMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS

Mr. Paul Dyson (RailPAC) reiterated his past opposition to adding stops to Pacific Surfliner trains in Orange County and cited several reasons, including the current on-time performance of trains, added dwell times and fuel costs, and the potential negative impacts on long-distance intercity passengers. Mr. Dyson is advocating for a complete review of all passenger train schedules in the corridor and urged the Board to support Proposition 1A.

FEBRUARY 6, 2008 AND MAY 7, 2008 MEETING MINUTES

Vice Chair Jacki Bacharach (Metro) suggested the May 7, 2008, Meeting Minutes be referred to as Meeting Notes, as the meeting had no quorum of the Board and had one correction on page 10, “Ms. Bacharach suggested that each of the LOSSAN agencies could have one brainstorming session …” Both meeting minutes were approved with these changes.

ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY AND CALTRANS LOSSAN CORRIDOR QUICK IMPROVEMENTS STUDY AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

Abbe McClenahan (OCTA) summarized the purpose of the quick improvements study, to develop a list of potential corridor improvements that could be completed relatively quickly and with minimal cost. She noted the comments made by LOSSAN were incorporated into the final report. The OCTA Board of Directors approved the study in June 2008 and directed staff to work with the LOSSAN Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) on an implementation schedule. Ms. McClenahan also discussed recent focus groups of Orange County riders and nonriders that were conducted as a followup to the study and suggested that OCTA make a more detailed presentation to the Board at their next meeting.

Linda Culp (SANDAG) summarized the initial work of the TAC to develop an implementation strategy. Each of the 21 improvements were categorized by three criteria: (1) level of required action (Staff, Board, or Special Task Force), (2) Relative Cost (Low, Medium, High), and (3) Relative Timetable (Short, Mid, Long). The TAC also identified a next step for each of the improvements. Ms. Culp called the Board’s attention to 10 of the 21 improvements that the TAC feels can be completed at the staff level, at relatively low cost and over a short-term period of time. Of these 10, three tasks had already been included in the scope of work of a grant application submitted to Caltrans by SANDAG on behalf of LOSSAN. Agencies normally receive word on awards once the state budget has been approved. The remaining 7 will be headed up by an individual TAC member, who will organize the appropriate staff and determine a course of action.

Ms. Bacharach suggested that Table 1 of the staff report should include a lead agency column and that a TAC member be assigned to all 21 improvements. In terms of the proposed improvement for WiFi at all stations, she asked if advertising would be able to pay for this. The Board’s discussion concluded that the TAC should investigate the possibility of putting ads on the static WiFi station signs as a potential revenue source.

Ms. Bacharach also asked if there is a standard for times between connecting trains, as the report recommends 30 minutes as an appropriate amount of time. Pat Merrill (Caltrans) noted there is no industry standard but depends in part on the market. Jonathan Hutchison (Amtrak) also noted that it also depends on track capacity. Fred Munroe (SLOCOG) commented that station amenities make it easier for passengers to wait on connecting trains.

Ms. Bacharach inquired as to why the improvements to airport connections item was not on the list of ten improvements. Mr. Munroe noted that the San Luis Obispo air-rail connection is inaccurate in the final report.

Mr. Carbajal asked why the focus of the report was not on the entire corridor. Ms. Culp responded that, while she could not speak for OCTA and Caltrans, the implementation work of the TAC will be corridorwide. Mr. Carbajal thanked the TAC and noted that the corridorwide focus would work well

with Santa Barbara’s Measure A extension planned for the November ballot, which includes a rail component. Joe Kellejian (SANDAG) offered assistance since San Diego’s transportation sales tax extension measure passed in 2004. Julianne Nygaard (NCTD) reiterated her support for looking at the corridor as a “blank canvas” and noted that riders do not care what train they board.

Ms. Culp noted that a subcommittee of TAC members including Caltrans, Amtrak, and Metrolink, has been meeting to discuss how to best integrate passenger information systems by Amtrak and Metrolink. Brian Humphrey (VCTC) stated that a vision for electronic passenger information systems is lacking in the corridor. The Board requested that the TAC return to the November meeting with a followup report.

LOSSAN CORRIDOR STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT

Ms. McClenahan reported that OCTA has contracted with Wilbur Smith Associates to conduct the strategic assessment of rail services in the LOSSAN corridor. The project partners held a kickoff meeting in August and the study is currently in the data-analysis phase. A survey instrument of riders and nonriders is currently being developed and surveys are expected to be conducted in October. Ms. McClenahan noted that the schedule is ambitious, with a draft study scheduled for January 2009. She also noted that several quick improvements items, such as midday service and joint ticketing, will be addressed in the strategic assessment. Mr. Lam Nguyen (Caltrans) stressed that we should not just do a partial list of the 21 quick improvements. In response to a question from the Board, Ms. McClenahan said a detailed report would be provided to the Board in November.

CORRIDOR TRENDS

Mr. Hutchison reviewed the July 2008 ridership and revenue statistics for the Pacific Surfliner service. With two months remaining in the federal fiscal year, more than 2.3 million riders have used the service, an increase of seven percent over 2007. Mr. Hutchison also addressed the safety issues with the increasingly-common occurrence of standees on trains and noted that Amtrak is currently evaluating this. Amtrak will need to review equipment management procedures and will need to address this issue through the Rail2Rail program with Metrolink.

Jerry Rindone (MTS) inquired about regular maintenance of equipment. Mr. Hutchison noted that one Surfliner consist can be out of operation at a time. (There are a total of 8 consists operating in the corridor; 4 regularly lay over in Los Angeles). In addition to maintenance and cleaning of Surfliner cars at night, the L.A. facility also services a number of long-distance trains. Mr. Merrill noted that the Department is considering other options, such as a second business class car, but funding is limited in terms of the State’s operating budget. He noted that a consist may operate in the corridor for as many as five days before it is serviced, pointing to the need for a layover facility in San Diego. Mr. Munroe noted on the latest Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI), clean windows were the worst-rated attribute. The Board then discussed the merits of glass versus plastic windows and Mr. Hutchison will followup on this issue.

Caltrans provided the following information as a follow-up to these maintenance issues:

The current windows are lexan and scratch fairly easily. Once scratched, the dirt and residue from carwash chemicals accumulate on the windows. New windows are being installed, although at a slow pace. The new windows are glass on the exterior side and

lexan on the inside. Cars must be taken out of revenue service to replace the windows since the seals around the new windows are a different size than the originals. Since we're already running trains with standees, taking additional cars out of service, even for short periods, would be a problem. The new glass windows will address the scratching/etching issue. We discussed with Amtrak some ideas on how best to accelerate the window replacement rate. We'll provide an update to the Board and TAC as soon as the plan is finalized. Also, we discussed how Amtrak could do some interim window cleaning to eliminate the build-up on the windows. This will help improve visibility but won't remove the scratches. Any questions on this can be address to Pat Merrill at Caltrans or to Joe Yannuzzi at Amtrak.

Mr. Humphrey noted that we cannot sustain service without listening to customers and paying attention to the customer experience. Staff also need to be recognized for good service, no matter how small the detail. He also suggested the Board tour the maintenance facility in Los Angeles.

UPDATE ON STATEWIDE RAIL EQUIPMENT PROCUREMENT

Mr. Nguyen announced that Caltrans and the Department of Finance recently reached agreement to order a minimum of 27 rail cars. Specifications are 70 percent complete and the bid document will be issued in late spring 2009, at the earliest. On this schedule, the State can expect the first rail car for revenue service in early 2012.

Mr. Merrill also announced that the State will soon take possession of seven bi-level cars once minor repairs are completed. Three will run on the Capitol Corridor and four on the Surfliners. There also are a number of older, single-level, Horizon cars available for the San Joaquin service. Caltrans would like to have all Horizon equipment on one line, including the current set of equipment for the Surfliner trains 798/799. Bi-level cars currently in use on the San Joaquins could be swapped with this equipment by next summer.

UPDATE ON THE STATE BUDGET AND CORRIDOR PROJECTS

Mr. Merrill announced no news on the state budget. On the positive side, the draft budget includes enough funding from the Public Transportation Account (PTA) for operations of the state rail program. Mr. Merrill also passed out a map of all rail projects in the corridor, including completed, under construction, or programmed since 2001. He also noted the Division of Rail also is developing maps for the other rail corridors.

RELEVANT STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATION AND UPCOMING STATE RAIL CORRIDOR CHAIRS/VICE CHAIRS MEETING

Ms. Culp summarized the relevant state and federal legislation. At the federal level, we continue to monitor progress on S. 294, the Amtrak reauthorization bill, and the FY 2009 Amtrak appropriations. Caltrans recently submitted two projects along the Capitol and San Joaquin Corridors for funding consideration under the $30 million federal capital matching program. Mr. Kellejian inquired as to why a LOSSAN corridor project was not submitted. Mr. Merrill explained that the projects we submitted were ready to go to construction. Mr. Kellejian requested that Caltrans reevaluate this for next year’s program. Ms. Bacharach agreed and asked that the TAC develop an early action project list in order to be ready for future funding opportunities.

Ms. Culp also summarized recent work by the State to develop a set of overall consensus principles related to federal reauthorization and asked the Board to consider a support position while working on more specific requests from LOSSAN, to be further developed at the Board’s November meeting. After discussion, the Board asked that staff contact Caltrans to relay the Board’s overall satisfaction with these principles but request the Department include more rail-specific principles.

Ms. Culp next summarized recent developments at the state level, including recent passage of AB 3034, which makes changes to Proposition 1A, the high-speed rail bond on the November ballot. The Board voted to take a support position on 1A.

BOARD MEMBER UPDATES FOCUS AREA: STATION ACCESS

Metrolink has agreed to lease 15 cars from New Jersey Transit.

Mr. Kellejian announced to the Board that the Solana Beach City Council failed to approve the Cedros Crossing smart growth project and parking structure by the June deadline; therefore, $6 million in State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funds were lost.

Mr. Humphrey announced that a system is already in place to receive text and email messages regarding train status by either calling 40404 and in the body, typing “Follow Metrolink” or “Off Metrolink” to cancel, or by going to www.twitter.com/metrolink.

Pete Rodgers (SLOCOG) announced that SLOCOG is working on a pilot project for WiFi access at stations. Senior volunteers also are assisting passengers at stations.

Mr. Munroe noted the lack of a quorum at the May meeting and asked that member agencies currently without an alternate board member appoint one and directed staff to send a letter of request to these agencies.

Mr. Kellejian also suggested that alternates also attend Board meetings.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Board of Directors was scheduled for November 12, 2008, in Los Angeles.

9 ATTACHMENT 1 Agenda Item #3 LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency Joint Powers Board November 12, 2008

LOSSAN (LOS ANGELES–SAN DIEGO–SAN LUIS OBISPO RAIL CORRIDOR AGENCY)

MEMBERSHIP

This board is composed of current and former elected officials representing rail owners, operators, and planning agencies along Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner corridor between San Diego and San Luis Obispo. LOSSAN is staffed by SANDAG. The objective of the agency is to coordinate planning and programs that increase ridership, revenue, reliability, and safety on the coastal rail line from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles to San Diego.

The Los Angeles - San Diego – San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency meets every quarter.

Staff contact: Linda Culp, (619) 699-6957; [email protected]

MEMBERS ALTERNATES

Chair: Arthur Brown Harry Mathis Orange County Transportation Authority San Diego Metropolitan Transit System

Vice Chair: Jacki Bacharach Brian Humphrey Los Angeles County Metropolitan Ventura County Transportation Commission Transportation Authority

Beatrice Proo Marty Blum Los Angeles County Metropolitan Santa Barbara County Association of Governments Transportation Authority

John Shoals Mary Ann Reiss / Fred Munroe San Luis Obispo Council of Governments San Luis Obispo Council of Governments

Julianne Nygaard Dave Druker / Bill Horn North County Transit District North County Transit District

Richard Dixon Orange County Transportation Authority EX-OFFICIO MEMBER Jerry Rindone Lou Bone San Diego Metropolitan Transit System Southern California Association of Governments

Keith Millhouse ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL ADVISORY Ventura County Transportation Commission COMMITTEE MEMBERS Amtrak Salud Carbajal Burlington Northern Santa Fe Santa Barbara County Association of Governments California Public Utilities Commission Southern California Regional Rail Authority Bill Bronte Union Pacific Caltrans, Division of Rail

Joe Kellejian San Diego Association of Governments

10 Revised: February 5, 2008 Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency JOINT POWERS BOARD

November 12, 2008 AGENDA ITEM NO.: 4

Action Requested: APPROVE

TRANSFER OF LOSSAN FEDERAL FUNDS FROM DEL MAR BLUFFS PROJECT 2 TO SANTA MARGARITA BRIDGE REPLACEMENT AND DOUBLE TRACK PROJECT File Number 4000106

Introduction

The Santa Margarita Bridge Replacement and Second Track Project will include replacing an existing single-track bridge with a new double-track bridge, adding a second main track, and upgrading an existing passing track. Completion of this project will provide a 4.5 mile segment of continuous double-track, allowing for maximum speeds between 75 and 90 miles per hour.

The project is located along the LOSSAN rail corridor in northern San Diego County. The project site is within the boundaries of the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and the City of Oceanside. This project is included on the current LOSSAN Board of Directors immediate projects list.

Recommendation

The Board of Directors is asked to transfer $430,000 in remaining federal section 5309 funds from the Del Mar Bluffs Stabilization Project 2 to the Santa Margarita Bridge Replacement and Second Track Project.

11 Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency JOINT POWERS BOARD

November 12, 2008 AGENDA ITEM NO.: 6

Action Requested: DISCUSSION

STATUS OF FEDERAL LEGISLATION File Number 4000100

Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act

On October 16, 2008, President Bush signed H.R. 2095, the Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act. H.R. 2095 reauthorizes Amtrak and provides a total of $12.9 billion over five years and encourages the development of new and improved intercity passenger rail service through an 80 percent/20 percent federal/state matching grant program. The bill represents a dramatic change from recent Amtrak negotiations. For FY 2009 alone, the bill would authorize close to $2 billion, compared with $800 million requested by the Administration and the $1.7 billion sought by Amtrak itself.

The bill also provides $1.5 billion for the planning and development of 11 high-speed rail corridors that include “the California Corridor.” The legislation authorizes $325 million, an average of $65 million per year, out of the state capital grant program for “congestion grants” to Amtrak and the states for high-priority rail corridors to increase capacity along certain lines in order to reduce congestion and facilitate rail ridership growth. A federal intercity rail grant program would be beneficial to states such as California, which has historically invested significant state and local funding to improve its intercity rail corridors.

In addition to the Amtrak and intercity rail provisions, the measure reauthorizes the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and provides $1.625 billion for the nation’s rail safety program over the period encompassing FY 2009 through FY 2013. The authorization of the rail safety program expired a decade ago, in 1998.

H.R. 2095 also mandates the installation of positive train control (PTC) systems. PTC is a system of monitoring and controlling train movements to provide increased safety. Trains equipped with PTC receive information about its location and where it is allowed to safely travel. PTC is an alternative to conventional railway signaling, in which equipment located along the track provides the information and the engineer supplies the enforcement. The bill requires all Class I railroads and intercity passenger and commuter railroads to implement a PTC system by December 31, 2015, on all main-line track where intercity passenger railroads and commuter railroads operate and where hazardous materials are transported. The legislation includes a grant program for the deployment of various PTC technologies. While rail agencies in our corridor such as NCTD are supportive of these measures, they remain concerned with funding and availability of PTC technologies.

Other highlights of the bill include grade crossing safety, rail bridge safety program, and rail passenger disaster family assistance.

FY 2009 Appropriations

Congress will not finalize the FY 2009 appropriations bills until early 2009. In the interim, Amtrak’s funding is being provided via a continuing resolution set at the FY 2008 level ($1.325 billion) until March 6, 2009.

Economic Stimulus

At the time of the October recess, there were two economic stimulus bills moving in Congress and, since the election, Congressional leaders have discussed their willingness to continue these talks when Congress reconvenes later this month. SANDAG and Metro have discussed the inclusion of LOSSAN corridor projects on proposed project lists.

13 Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency JOINT POWERS BOARD

November 12, 2008 AGENDA ITEM NO.: 7

Action Requested: DISCUSSION

ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (OCTA) AND CALTRANS LOSSAN CORRIDOR QUICK IMPROVEMENTS IMPLEMENTATION PLAN File Number 4000106

Introduction

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), in partnership with the California Department of Transportation, Division of Rail, contracted with Wilbur Smith Associates to conduct a study to explore opportunities to improve rail service and develop near-term improvements as the first step toward a comprehensive, integrated rail passenger network within the LOSSAN rail corridor. The OCTA Board of Directors finalized the study in July 2008.

The final report lists 20 concepts with recommended actions, as well as priorities for implementation within a year. The LOSSAN Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) categorized these recommendations based upon three main criteria: (1) level needed for action, (2) level of funding, and (3) relative timeframe (Table 1).

At that Board’s September 5, 2008, meeting, staff recommended that the focus be on 10 of the 21 improvements that the TAC felt could be accomplished in a relatively short timeframe with minimal cost. Staff also asked that TAC members volunteer to manage one or more of these recommendations and the Board requested that staff be assigned to each of the 21 improvements.

Furthermore, staff recently learned that Caltrans will not fund the customer information services grant in FY 2009, which would have addressed a number of the short-term improvements. A research problem statement/request also was submitted to the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA’s) Transit Cooperative Research Program, which may fund some of these tasks. To date, we have not received word on this funding.

OCTA and Caltrans LOSSAN Quick Improvements Study Recommendations for Implementation from LOSSAN TAC, October 16, 2008 Meeting

SANDAG did not receive funds for a grant application submitted to Caltrans; however we are Consolidated LOSSAN awaiting word on potential funds for the research SANDAG 1 X X X Corridor Timetable tasks from FTA’s Transit Cooperative Research Program. Need to discuss maintenance issues.

Assess Google Transit Capabilities for corridor (OCTA bus services already available; Metrolink is investigating; SANDAG to check relative to Regional 511 System) OCTA 1 On-line Trip Planner X X X Need to discuss maintenance issues/updates; need to develop budget. OCTA and Metrolink to provide additional information to TAC (conference call between IT staff) Since May, staff has conducted monthly conference calls (LOSSAN, Metrolink, Amtrak, Electronic Passenger Caltrans, SLOCOG) to discuss implementation TAC 5 Information System X X X and integration issues. (EPIS) Need to check implementation at COASTER stations. Formal arrangement between operators/agencies Amtrak Distribution of Amtrak needed in order to provide integrated information. 6 Metrolink Information at X X X Further discussion needed in terms of level of info Joint Stations and maintenance.

Table 1 SELECTED EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR QUICK IMPROVEMENTS Required Level Relative Cost Relative Timetable Special Report Agency Task TAC # Improvement Staff Board Force Low Med Hi Short Mid Long Next Step(s) Agency Need to define what level of information is needed 7 On-Train Information X X X Amtrak and how frequent to provide. Orange County Station Additional signage has been installed showing OCTA/ 8 X X X Signage which track to use, other information. Caltrans Staff level can discuss merits of static v. real-time message sign. (considered to be a short-term improvement before EPIS) SANDAG/ San Diego County Station X Discuss combining trailblazing program (“Train” NCTD/ 9 X X X Signage (OTC) signs approaching station instead of individual Caltrans Metrolink, Amtrak) Oceanside Transit Center (OTC) may warrant special task force Assess possibility of provided same information at Central Information Booth each of the three locations, not just at a central Metro 10 at Los Angeles Union X X X booth. Station Need formal information sharing agreement at each location. Freeway Changeable 17 Message Signs Used to X X X Check how this is working in the Bay Area. Caltrans Promote Train Travel Investigate Google trip planner. (Same as #1 Metro/ 19 511 Information X X X above) SANDAG Rail Operations: Review in Strategic Assessment, including market SA 2 Rail Connections X X X research (current and future markets). Access relative to Rail2Rail program. Consider an exercise with a "blank canvas" rail Additional Orange County SA 4 X X X X corridor - how would services be designed from Midday Service scratch?

Table 1 SELECTED EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR QUICK IMPROVEMENTS Required Level Relative Cost Relative Timetable Special Report Agency Task TAC # Improvement Staff Board Force Low Med Hi Short Mid Long Next Step(s) Agency Need to identify components of a formal agreement (currently, the only formal agreement 12 Mutual Aid Agreement X X X Tbd is between NCTD and SCRRA); Consider including in Rail2Rail agreement Amtrak is currently assessing recovering times. Another solution might be to continue the station 20 Minimize Dwell Times X X X ambassador program to assist passengers and an informational campaign regarding how to handle Amtrak baggage. Connecting Transit / Ticketing Additional technical details and costing should be 3 Joint Ticketing X X X Tbd analyzed. Rail infrastructure drives headways; bus Impact of Schedule schedules are timed. 11 X X X SANDAG Changes on Local Transit Consider a further analysis of bus-rail connections in the corridor.

14 Free Transfers X X X Need further analysis on budget impacts. Tbd Better Airport Use San Diego work as potential pilot for a larger 15 X X X X SANDAG Connections application. Amtrak Bus and Metrolink Amtrak/ 16 X Caltrans and Amtrak will discuss this further. Coordination Caltrans TAC recommends regular quarterly meetings 13 Joint Marketing X X X Amtrak between corridor agencies marketing staff. 18 WiFi at Stations X X X Assess one system between operators. SLOCOG SA = LOSSAN Corridorwide Strategic Assessment (underway). Tbd – to be determined/longer term strategy needed.

17 Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency JOINT POWERS BOARD

November 12, 2008 AGENDA ITEM NO.: 9

Action Requested: DISCUSSION

CORRIDOR TRENDS File Number 4000106

Introduction

Amtrak recently announced that FY 2008 marked the sixth consecutive year of record system ridership and revenue. More than 28 million passengers rode Amtrak nationwide. Despite falling gas prices, rail ridership continued to increase, particularly in California. The following are recent corridor statistics.

Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner Service

The Pacific Surfliners continue to be Amtrak’s second busiest corridor, behind the Northeast corridor. For September, ridership increased slightly over September 2007. The annual ridership topped 2.89 million passengers, a record for the Pacific Surfliners. On-time performance (OTP) continued to suffer, at 79 percent in September and 76 percent for FY 2008. The main causes continue to be interference with other trains (other Amtraks, commuters, and freight). Figure 1 shows OTP for the corridor services.

Coast Starlight

Amtrak’s Coast Starlight provides service between Los Angeles and Seattle. Between February and May of this year, much of the service was suspended due to a slide in southern Oregon. In March, Amtrak reinstituted service between Los Angeles and Sacramento and, in May, resumed full service. For August, ridership is more than 47,000, an increase of 19 percent over August 2007. On-time performance for August was 39 percent, a fairly sharp decline in recent months.

Amtrak Customer Satisfaction Scores

Amtrak regularly surveys passengers nationwide as to their ratings of service. For August, the overall Amtrak rating was 88 percent, up four percentage points from one year ago. Overall, the score was 86 percent for the fiscal year, consistent with the FY 2008 goal. Attachment 1 shows the overall and detailed scores from Pacific Surfliner passengers. The overall rating for the Coast Starlight was 79 percent.

Figure 1 RECENT ON-TIME PERFORMANCE- LOSSAN CORRIDOR 100%

90%

80%

70%

60% Dec-05 Mar-06 Jun-06 Sep-06 Dec-06 Mar-07 Jun-07 Sep-07 Dec-07 Mar-08 Jun-08 Sep-08

Am trak Metrolink (Orange Co) Coaster

Passenger Information Delivery System

A subcommittee of Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) members continues to work on details related to the real-time information signs at stations and other customer information systems. The subcommittee consists of staff from Amtrak, Caltrans, LOSSAN, SLOCOG, and Metrolink and has held monthly conference calls since May 2008. Currently, nearly all signs at Amtrak-only stations are up and working and being monitored from Amtrak’s Oakland Operations Center (work continues on installation at the San Clemente station). Staffs continue to work through details on how these signs will function at the stations shared by more than one rail service.

Caltrans also has included the Surfliner corridor in its grant application for the next generation of signs similar to the Capitol and San Joaquin Corridors. Amtrak has been testing the ability to place Pacific Surfliner train status messages on the TWITTER real-time messaging service.

Attachment 1: Customer Satisfaction Index (August 2008)

19 Attachment 1