Dallas Area Rapid Transit Trinity Metro P.O. Box 660163 801 Cherry Street, Suite 850 Dallas, Texas 75266-7210 Fort Worth, Texas 76102 214.749.3278 817.215.8600 DART.org Ridetrinitymetro.org TRINITY RAILWAY EXPRESS
Trinity Railway Express Advisory Committee Thursday, September 17, 2020, 2:30pm
Due to the COVID-19 virus and current extension of the Disaster Declaration issued by the Governor, all TRE Board Meetings are closed to the public. All meetings will take place by videoconference and will be available at https://www.dart.org/about/board/boardvideo.asp.
DART Committee Members Trinity Metro Committee Members Patrick J. Kennedy Charles Edmonds (Chair) Gary Slagel Jeff Davis Rick Stopfer Tito Rodriguez
1. Call to Order 2. Approval of Minutes June 18, 2020 3. *Safety Update [5 minutes] 4. *TRE Operations Report [5 minutes] 5. *TRE Quarterly Financial Report as of June 30, 2020 [5 minutes] 6. * TRE FY21 Operating & Capital Budget [5 minutes] 7. *Update on TRE Capital Projects - Maintenance of Way [10 minutes] 8. *Update on TRE Capital Projects - Vehicles [5 minutes] 9. *TRE Interlocal Agreement between DART and Trinity Metro and Discussion of Inclusion of Silver Line and TEXRail Activities into TRE Advisory Committee [10 minutes]
10. Modification of Existing Permanent Easement along the TRE Right-of-Way between I-35W and the Trinity River in Fort Worth with the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) [5 minutes]
11. Contract Modification for the Positive Train Control (PTC) Equipment on the New Locomotives [5 minutes] 12. *Update on Positive Train Control (PTC) [5 minutes] 13. PTC Maintenance Support Contracts (Operations & Maintenance Contract and Wabtec Agreement) [10 minutes] 14. Identification of Future Agenda Items 15. Adjournment
*Briefing Item
The Trinity Railway Express Advisory Committee may go into Closed Session under the Texas Open Meetings Act, Section 551.071,Consultation With Attorney, for any legal issues arising regarding any item listed on this Agenda.
TRINITY RAILWAY EXPRESS ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES June 18, 2020
The Trinity Railway Express Advisory Committee convened at 2:30 pm on Thursday, June 18, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 virus, meeting rooms were closed to the public. This meeting took place by videoconference and is available at https://www.dart.org/about/board/boardvideo.asp. The following Committee members were present: Chair Charles Edmonds, Gary Slagel, Jeff Davis, Patrick Kennedy, Tito Rodriguez, and Richard Stopfer.
Others present were: Gary Thomas, Bob Baulsir, Tim McKay, Bonnie Murphy, Jon-Erik Arjanen, Fred Crosley, Harlene Kennedy, Katy Galindo, Paul Bourzikas, Matt Lannon, Anthony Fuller, Claude Smith, Megan Tang, Julia Casarez, Richey Thompson, Gordon Shattles, Brandi Stringer, Armando Reyes, Melissa Chrisman, Glenn Miller, Jessica Powers, Deputy Chief Matt Walling, Kevin Hunt, Lupe Hernandez, Cole Dempsey, Shannon Hergenrader, and Vicki Evans.
1. Call to Order Charles Edmonds called the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) Advisory Committee meeting to order at 2:38 pm.
2. *Safety Briefing
Anthony Fuller, Chief Operating Officer, provided the safety briefing to the Committee on how overall illnesses and causes have affected the country and the world. Influenza in Texas produced a high flu rate and high number of deaths. The pandemic of the Coronavirus has affected our everyday way of living. Worldwide protests have inspired more dialogue on racial injustice and equality. During these stressful times, make sure to take care of yourselves, getting plenty of sleep and eating well. Keep in mind that, personally as well as globally, COVID-19 is spiking in cases daily. Continue to wash hands frequently, social distance when in public, and wear facial coverings.
Mr. Fuller recognized Mr. Thomas and Mr. Baulsir for getting ahead of the industry and let it be known what DART and Trinity Metro stand for. He commended their support of each employee’s character and capabilities, and comfort to know they care about justice, equality and non-racial biases for all.
3. Approval of Minutes: April 15, 2020 A motion was made by Mr. Rodriguez to approve the Trinity Railway Express Advisory Committee minutes. The motion was seconded by Mr. Slagel, and the minutes were unanimously approved.
4. *Safety Update Anthony Fuller, Chief Operating Officer, briefed the Committee as follows (presentation on file in the Office of Board Support):
Safety
1 5. *TRE Operations Report
Anthony Fuller, Chief Operating Officer, briefed the Committee as follows (presentation on file in the Office of Board Support):
TRE Monthly Ridership Graph, October – May, FY19-FY20 TRE Average Weekday Ridership Graph, October – May, FY19-FY20 TRE Average Saturday Ridership Graph, October – May, FY19-FY20 Total Boarding by Station, October – May, FY19-FY20 Total Boarding by Station – FY20 Q3 Vs FY19 Q3 FY20 vs FY19 Monthly OTP Actual, October - May Reasons/Causes of Train Delays / # and % of Trains Delayed Over Threshold Per Month in Q3 FY20 Percentage of Train Delays Exceeding the Threshold Q3 FY20 TRE Current Procedures for COVID-19 (4 slides)
Mr. Slagel inquired about an article’s statements of a congregant of people getting COVID transmitted through the air and internal areas, specifically ventilation and circulation of air being most important. When mentioning ventilation, would that be the same approach? Mr. Fuller stated the fogger, which gets into the ventilation system, helps clean out the filters and the circulation of air. Another positive aspect for the TRE and selling point to get riders to come back is our station stops are frequent. Although the doors are constantly being opened and closed, it is allowing that transfer of fresh air from the outside in.
Mr. Slagel also inquired about a Philadelphia company that would not allow employees to ride the local transit but would allow them to ride the Amtrak system. Is Amtrak doing anything different or would it be based on them being a federal agency? Mr. Fuller stated that based on the calls he is on with other agencies, he believes that they are all doing the same procedures and process, using foggers and industrial cleaners, and cleaning in between services due to a lot of the equipment stays out for an extended period of time. From his knowledge, Amtrak is not doing anything differently than others.
6. *TRE Train Schedule
Paul Bourzikas, Assistant Vice President, Commuter Rail, briefed the Committee on the TRE train schedule. On March 23rd, in response to COVID-19, TRE reduced the daily schedule by 28 trains, operating one-hour headways between Fort Worth and Dallas. The Saturday schedule was duplicated during the weekdays, Monday through Friday. With the current schedule, the first eastbound train departing T&P at 5:51AM places the train arriving in Dallas prior to 7:00 AM. This schedule is for anyone needing to be at these stations at an earlier time. The earlier trains have historically had significant daily ridership. With the reduction and COVID restrictions, and as people return to work, there has been a slow increase in daily ridership in the last couple of weeks; around 100 or so riders per day.
In response to feedback from riders received, on June 22nd, TRE will enhance the current schedule by adding two (2) additional trains. The trains will depart Fort Worth T&P at 4:51 AM and 6:21 AM, arriving to Dallas prior to 6:00 AM and 7:30 AM for an earlier start. TRE will continue to
2 monitor the ridership data for specific ridership trends and propose additional enhanced services where it is warranted to help increase daily ridership.
Mr. Arjanen spoke regarding the schedule, stating Bell Helicopter has a circulator that Trinity Metro runs for them. In conversation, Bell Helicopter stated they would not put on the circulator until TRE returns to full service. Although TRE is adding two (2) trains now, what is the timeline to return to full service. Understanding that ridership will increase some, the concern is getting back the customers. After losing customers running hour headways when its 95 degrees outside, it will be a tremendous challenge. What will we be looking for to return to full service? Mr. Bourzikas stated TRE would continue to monitor ridership due to the significant reduction in passengers.
Mr. Arjanen stated that there has been some cost savings currently, but with the offset from fare box recovery, what would be the number to return to full service? At 77% pre-COVID ridership, looking at the numbers put out today, would put TRE close to the ballpark of offsetting the cost savings just based off the fare box recovery. His biggest concern is losing that ridership for a long period of time and having to regain that passenger loyalty to come back to the TRE.
Ms. Murphy stated there are no plans currently return to full service; however, ridership will need to be watched when the extra trains are added. There were several complaints that there was not an earlier train going for commuters to get to work on time; that is the reason we are adding service.
Mr. McKay stated although he doesn’t have an issue with putting dollars out into service, we should think about the ridership potential as opposed to starting full service and have only 20 riders. He agrees there should be conversation to take a look at what that would mean and if it makes sense to do that. That could mean dropping in tailored service instead of putting full-service back in.
Mr. Baulsir stated that TEXRail will be going to full service and 30-minute headways on Sunday and some of the bus service will be put back in place. As long as everyone is aware that, to some extent, the agencies will go a bit in different directions because that’s the way it will play out. TEXRail has noticed an increase in ridership and had a lot of complaints and Trinity Metro is okay either way with the additional trains and not going to full service right away.
Mr. McKay stated he does not have a problem going through an analysis to make a recommendation if it is appropriate to launch back into full service. If there is a definite need, staff should look at how to serve the need, but we do not want to launch into full service and have empty trains.
Mr. Thomas noted TRE is at 71% below where we were this time last year; therefore, we need to pay attention to the capacity per trip basis, including social distancing, which Ms. Murphy tracks. Ms. Murphy stated the highest ridership on one train was about 90 passengers on a 3-car set. There have not been any issues with overcrowding. Mr. Thomas asked what the average ridership is on a 3-car set. Ms. Murphy stated it varies but the average is about 450 riders, putting it at about 25% per seated capacity right now.
Mr. Baulsir stated the actual capacity with COVID-19 and social distancing would not be that much given there is blocked seating so the numbers would probably be lower. Trinity Metro is okay staying with the 60 minutes on the TRE, but just wanted to be clear that TEXRail will be going back to a full 30-minute schedule.
3 7. *TRE Quarterly Financial Information for Period Ending March 31, 2020
Katy Galindo, Assistant Vice President, Controller, briefed the Committee on the TRE Operating and Financial Information for the Period Ending March 31, 2020 (presentation on file in the Office of Board Support) as follows:
TRE Proforma Statement of Revenue and Expenses TRE Proforma Actual to Budget Comparison
8. *COVID-19 Update
Bob Baulsir, President and Chief Executive Officer, briefed the Committee on the addition of driver’s barriers to the bus fleet, taking caution with the rail services to make sure there is social distancing, and field-testing hand sanitizers and looking at the possibility of putting dispensers on all of the rail vehicles and buses. Trinity Metro is cautiously migrating part-time back to the office. Trinity Metro staff is in communication with DART on the COVID calls twice a week as well as DART staff on Trinity Metro calls and all doing rather well on the COVID-19 process helping one another and sharing ideas. It’s been well received on both ends.
Gary C. Thomas, President/Executive Director, stated that DART has permanent dividers for the operators outfitted on almost all fleet of 650 buses. Once completed, we will return to front door boarding, probably in the July timeframe. DART is very conscience of the safety of our operators as the number of cases continue to increase. Within the agency, there are 39 positive cases, 21 of those have returned to work and 2 people have passed away as a result of COVID. DART is continuing to look at adding hand sanitizers to the buses and trains and building a prototype mask dispenser to have masks on the vehicles so riders can take a mask if needed.
A big effort is the service changes as it relates to the ridership and the revenues anticipated getting over the next several months and into FY21. DART has two and expect a third economist to give their perspective. Everybody is expecting sales taxes to go down and DART is looking at how we respond and react and make sure from a budgetary standpoint that we stay solid. During this, the capital projects continue to move forward and most importantly, the redesign of our entire bus network continues to move forward. DART is working on all these things as we address the COVID issues.
Mr. Edmonds stated while speaking with Pat Foy, Chairman/CEO of the New York MTA, revealed they are making mask wearing mandatory. Since started, there has been 92% to 95% compliance. Has TRE considered making mask wearing a mandatory feature? Mr. Thomas stated that from a DART prospective, in the state of Texas, governmental entities can not make mask wearing mandatory; the Attorney General made that very clear. It can be strongly encouraged and ask people to comply but cannot turn people down if they refuse to wear a mask, still having to provide transportation services to those who refuse. Mr. Baulsir agreed and stated that Trinity Metro does not feel they are in a position to do that and reluctant to go beyond what their authority would be.
9. *Update on TRE Capital Projects – Maintenance of Way
Megan Tang, Chief Engineer, and Anthony Fuller, Chief Operating Officer, briefed the Committee (presentation on file in the Office of Board Support) as follows:
Capital Maintenance of Way 4 FY19 Track Panels Replacement – MP 635.47–635.72 Track 2 near Nursery Rd. (3 slides) FY19 Track Panels Replacement - NP 617.10–617.31 Main Track near Minnis Dr. (3 slides) FY19 Bridge Panel Replacement – MP 639.0 Mockingbird Lane Track 2 FY19 Bridge Panel Replacement – MP 639.0 Mockingbird Lane Track 1 FY19 #11 Turnout Replacement – MP 634.8 South Irving to be Installed TRE Medical District Drive Project (2 slides) TRE Medical District Drive Project – at East Abutment (2 slides) TRE Medical District Drive Project – Piling Testing at East Abutment TRE Medical District Drive Project – at West Abutment (3 slides) TRE Mockingbird Lane Bridge Strike (3 slides) TRE Noble Branch & Inwood Rd. Bridge Proposed Improvements with the Design Completed TRE Trinity River Bridge Proposed Improvements Trinity River Bridge Project, Fort Worth, Texas (2 slides) Trinity Lakes Station Project, Fort Worth, Texas Calloway Cemetery Crossing, Fort Worth, Texas
10. *Update on TRE Capital Projects – Vehicles
Anthony Fuller, Chief Operating Officer, briefed the Committee as follows (presentation on file in the Office of Board Support):
Capital Maintenance of Equipment Coach Car 1057 – Freshly Painted
11. *TRE Social Distancing Kit Proposal Paul Bourzikas, Assistant Vice President, Commuter Rail, briefed the Committee as follows (presentation on file in the Office of Board Support):
Social Distancing Kit Proposal Seat Closure Signage Entry & Exit Door Decals Directional Traffic Floor Decals Program Pricing
12. *TRE Marketing Plan
The DART and Trinity Metro Marketing and Communications team presented the FY20 Marketing Plan as follows (presentation on file in the Office of Board Support): Brandi Stringer, Sr. Manager, Marketing, presented:
Marketing/Communications Team Overview Current Situation: TRE Ridership – Hit with the Perfect Storm COVID-19 Related Communications: COVID-19 Employee Communications Rider Communications 5 Glenn Miller, Director of Marketing, presented:
Post-COVID Marketing: Post-COVID Response (4 slides)
Ms. Stringer continued:
Commuter Focus: Commuters (2 slides) Events and Seasonal Promotions: Events/Seasonal Opportunities Events Promotions
Gordon Shattles, Director of External Relations, presented:
Public Relations: PR Opportunities
Armando Reyes, Marketing Associate, presented:
Website: Consumer Website (3 slides) Calendar and Next Steps: Calendar Next Steps
13. *Update on Positive Train Control (PTC)
Claude Smith, Director, Positive Train Control, briefed the Committee (presentation on file in the Office of Board Support) as follows:
PTC Funding & Expenses Accomplishments (2 slides) Next Steps RSD Statistics
14. *Status of Silver Line
Timothy McKay, EVP, Growth/Regional Development, stated the Silver Line is across the corridor doing utility relocations, having all the utility designs complete and half of those underway and the rest underway by the end of the month. We are at 60% design for all the stations with the exception of one at the very eastern end and about halfway through the submittal process design; this being a design build contract delivery method.
Regarding the vehicles, we are halfway through the design review submittals and should see car- bodies coming here somewhere around the end of the year, that will come for work in Utah for assembling. Working with the Trinity Metro staff, we will need to finalize operating plans, agreements, interface at DFW Airport and those types of things. Before too long, we hope to have that all resolved.
6
15. *Status of TEXRail
Jon-Erik Arjanen, VP & COO Rail, stated that TEXRail will be returning to full schedule on Sunday, June 21st, going back to the 30-minute headways. At 8 ½ months through the reporting year, we are at a 99.05% year-to-date on-time performance. The team has done extremely well, and he is very proud of them. From a PTC standpoint, there has been some significant successes over the past couple of weeks. They entered into revenue service demonstration (RSD), accomplished it, and officially placed into extended RSD by the FRA last week. This past Tuesday, their PTC Safety Action Plan was submitted. The remaining two steps are the TRE Interoperability Testing and Fort Worth and Western Interoperability Testing which will both be in the mid-July timeframe.
As TEXRail had been on the At-Risk list for the FRA, they have received indication after a call with the FRA they are officially being removed based upon their progress.
16. Identification of Future Agenda Items
No future agenda items were provided.
17. Adjournment There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 3:56 pm.
______Vicki Evans Administrative Assistant to VP, Commuter Rail & Railroad Management Dallas Area Rapid Transit
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TRE Advisory Committee Monthly Briefing Report Thursday, September 17, 2020
1. TRE Ridership
. Total monthly ridership for October – August, FY19 – FY20 . Daily average ridership for October – August, FY19 – FY20 . Boardings by stations for October – August, FY19 – FY20 . Monthly ridership since inception
2. TRE Customer Service Interactions
. By category, for October – August, FY19 – FY20
3. TRE Revenues for October – August, FY19 – FY20
TRE Ridership (Monthly)
220,000
200,000 229,669
180,000 207,909 160,000
140,000 172,496 161,629 157,357 156,507 153,874 120,000 152,839 147,462 147,144 144,106 143,268 142,857 142,035 140,886 136,028 100,000 135,589
80,000 110,765
60,000
40,000
20,000 52,364 45,686 45,332 44,247 43,797
0 October November December January February March April May June July August September FY19 FY20
5 TRE Average Weekday Ridership
8,800
8,000
7,200 8,246 7,655 7,655 6,400 6,973 6,923 6,881 6,710 6,658 6,409 5,600 6,368 6,193 6,114 5,945 5,868 5,902 4,800 5,828 5,462 5,441
4,000 4,585 3,200
2,400
1,600 2,114 1,826 1,797 1,763 800 1,757
0 October NovemberDecember January February March April May June July August September FY19 FY20
6 TRE Average Weekday Ridership
8,800
8,000
7,200 8,246 7,655 7,655 6,400 6,973 6,923 6,881 6,710 6,658 6,409 5,600 6,368 6,193 6,114 5,945 5,868 5,902 4,800 5,828 5,462 5,441
4,000 4,585 3,200
2,400
1,600 2,114 1,826 1,797 1,763 800 1,757
0 October NovemberDecember January February March April May June July August September FY19 FY20
6 Total Boarding by Station October - August 400,000
350,000 369,388
300,000
250,000 264,540
200,000 245,549 FY19 FY20 202,031 150,000 173,611 160,645
100,000 145,599 133,678 132,318 124,074 119,929 119,239 116,248 96,291 100,053 86,742
50,000 84,746 70,503 60,406 55,794 0 T&P Station FW ITC Richland Hills Bell CentrePort/ West Irving Downtown Medical/ Victory Union DFW Airport Irving/ Market Heritage Xing Center
8 TRE Monthly Ridership
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2020 Target October 29,103 46,793 51,559 107,017 136,805 190,991 200,691 181,119 219,417 235,625 263,765 327,455 305,088 289,814 240,158 222,133 231,639 245,297 241,353 222,705 229,262 207,909 229,669 233,527 November 22,858 42,520 48,573 95,117 121,434 188,825 163,966 167,868 196,555 200,266 204,181 214,325 204,244 178,255 176,121 159,188 174,895 164,575 161,310 166,550 173,419 153,874 147,144 176,301 December 5,850 29,808 50,102 50,654 92,103 191,812 174,944 161,130 168,349 188,051 191,208 186,156 215,689 193,570 180,510 171,700 137,944 164,761 171,242 168,942 161,231 153,430 135,044 147,462 150,985 January 15,892 36,205 45,574 49,292 107,618 197,876 195,359 182,087 160,173 190,814 204,039 205,919 224,450 187,817 187,630 189,223 165,555 184,305 171,643 159,709 167,025 165,573 152,839 172,496 166,152 February 9,929 35,848 44,690 52,331 100,128 172,648 169,892 169,357 157,846 173,635 190,112 202,989 221,650 181,187 172,660 186,818 164,081 167,597 163,095 172,628 169,652 150,861 143,268 156,507 158,850 March 11,660 41,397 52,916 60,291 118,746 198,830 215,870 214,136 212,796 216,492 226,897 218,715 250,309 240,859 232,887 214,450 189,362 207,007 198,655 187,995 202,635 195,002 161,629 110,765 175,290 April 13,773 43,665 50,093 52,358 105,908 185,236 193,209 178,328 185,514 190,150 197,143 231,796 229,907 216,747 206,451 188,937 184,997 216,850 181,879 172,456 165,619 164,051 157,357 45,686 178,409 May 20,463 39,162 45,935 52,616 114,329 171,183 181,257 158,725 165,546 198,503 200,375 222,570 192,558 177,021 186,907 181,577 163,773 179,746 156,421 155,437 168,996 163,566 142,035 43,797 162,572 June 23,649 44,067 52,390 54,210 117,134 175,997 190,825 182,149 179,331 211,188 215,042 251,522 221,942 198,278 225,199 184,980 163,703 184,435 177,463 163,315 173,739 166,625 136,028 45,332 149,978 July 27,081 44,685 52,375 51,814 118,735 210,389 209,701 191,334 175,780 211,963 213,899 265,458 230,573 188,514 184,065 176,250 179,284 195,518 178,802 144,245 161,253 156,273 144,106 44,247 158,313 August 26,263 43,927 53,128 56,546 135,501 202,205 194,332 190,812 200,588 224,017 231,516 258,835 233,556 191,363 197,867 187,567 193,527 186,813 171,650 167,535 174,221 170,162 140,886 52,364 160,981 September 25,943 44,789 51,003 108,242 109,669 169,596 188,578 175,073 199,490 189,066 201,583 235,086 226,616 184,527 183,090 154,359 169,235 190,329 193,027 159,076 164,373 150,723 142,857 148,818
Annual 180,503 455,514 587,519 688,486 1,322,005 2,134,011 2,293,783 2,167,788 2,154,400 2,409,851 2,507,705 2,746,992 2,789,030 2,469,215 2,425,335 2,252,140 2,092,782 2,283,895 2,173,749 2,054,001 2,097,999 2,038,947 1,817,832 1,195,469 2,020,176
As of August 2020
140,886 August FY19 52,364 August FY20 -62.83% Decrease from prior year
1,674,975 YTD FY19 1,195,469 YTD FY20 -28.63% Increase from prior year
1,871,358 YTD Target -36.12% under target
Total TRE Ridership: 45,338,951
M:\Commuter Rail\TRE Ridership\FY 97 - Current TRE Ridership 9/9/2020 TRE Customer Interactions October - August FY19-FY20 50
45 43 40 40 38
35 34
30
25 FY19 FY20 20 16 15 14 12 11 10 6 5 4 4 2 2 2 1 0 0 0 0 Overcrowding Late/Early Announcement Mechanical Service (Other) Operator Complaints Operator Service Change TVM Commendations Requests TRE Revenues FY20
FY19 FY20 FY20 Actual % Cost Ctr 526 Actuals Budget October November December January February March April May June July August Actuals to Budget
Acct. 43320 Freight Revenue (1) $1,748,649 $2,361,696 $160,756 $153,508 $108,744 $158,578 $139,409 $139,409 $65,339 $131,875 $159,798 $149,732 $153,547 $1,520,695 64%
Non-Freight Revenue $561,861 $720,000 $35,777 $53,369 $56,329 $89,492 $61,066 $40,340 $78,134 $36,350 $46,322 $43,620 $35,453 $576,254 80%
Total $2,310,510 $3,081,696 $196,533 $206,877 $165,073 $248,070 $200,475 $179,749 $143,473 $168,225 $206,120 $193,352 $189,000 $2,096,949 68%
Acct. 45803 Mineral Lease Royalties $85,032 $100,000 $4,335 $4,350 $3,704 $5,086 $4,053 $1,345 $11,748 $4,198 $1,166 $13,163 $6,387 $59,536 60%
(1) Effective January 1, 2020, the BNSF per car-mile rate increased from $0.550 to $0.551. Variations month over month are due to fluctuation in BNSF car miles.
TRE Corridor Revenue - fy20 and fy21 Page 1