1025 Ninth Street #223 MEMBERS, PLEASE CHECK Sacramento, CA 95814-3516 / Ê, 7 Ê / Ê "6 Ê 9"1,Ê Ê Ê, 7Ê9"1,Ê MEMBERSHIP IF THE DATE IS
Return Service Requested APPROACHING OR PAST
(continued on Page Four) Page on (continued
S P R
ERVI ER G ASSEN AIL E C and compatibility with high-speed high-speed with compatibility and
would make it easiest to share tracks tracks share to easiest it make would
looked at the plans for electrification electrification for plans the at looked
C S O RUZ ANTA G PTIMIZIN forced Metrolink to plan based on what what on based plan to Metrolink forced
predicted that this must happen. He He happen. must this that predicted
which is now closer to reality and has has and reality to closer now is which
8 PAGE
Tillier, a Bay Area-based rail advocate, advocate, rail Area-based Bay a Tillier,
progress of California High-Speed Rail, Rail, High-Speed California of progress
Electrolink. Two years ago, Clem Clem ago, years Two Electrolink.
T N , R N ?
RAIL O AILS O direction since 2015 is the continued continued the is 2015 since direction
forth a scheme in 2014 that he dubbed dubbed he that 2014 in scheme a forth
important factor in this change of of change this in factor important
: C C S
electrification of Metrolink, putting putting Metrolink, of electrification OUNTY RUZ ANTA
of electrification. Perhaps the most most the Perhaps electrification. of
of RailPAC, has long called for for called long has RailPAC, of
7 PAGE
from the document was any mention mention any was document the from
advocates. Paul Dyson, president president Dyson, Paul advocates.
recommendations. Notably absent absent Notably recommendations.
G R B
line with the calls of some area transit transit area some of calls the with line RANTS AIL IN ILLION
stopping short of making specific policy policy specific making of short stopping
Metrolink’s announcement is in in is announcement Metrolink’s
$2.7 A S WARDS TATE management goals for growth, but but growth, for goals management
ments in the plan remain lacking. remain plan the in ments Year Strategic Plan, laying out some some out laying Plan, Strategic Year
PAGE 6 PAGE
of Switzerland. And yet, some ele- some yet, And Switzerland. of
In 2015, Metrolink issued its 10- its issued Metrolink 2015, In
O C
net-works have achieved, such as those those as such achieved, have net-works BSERVATIONS OAST
Palmdale. They just don’t know it yet.” it know don’t just They Palmdale.
forward-thinking foreign regional rail rail regional foreign forward-thinking
PAGE 3 PAGE
and possibly even up the hill to to hill the up even possibly and
seeking mirrors what some of the most most the of some what mirrors seeking
Electrolink, from Anaheim to Burbank Burbank to Anaheim from Electrolink,
Ê Ã Ê iÌÀ Ê 7 >Ì Ê LÕÃið Ê V> Ê >Ã Ê Üi INSIDE
and said, “Metrolink will become become will “Metrolink said, and
service planning with inter-city rail as as rail inter-city with planning service
rail on the San Francisco Peninsula, Peninsula, Francisco San the on rail
creasing frequency, and coordinating coordinating and frequency, creasing
some lines for electric operations, in- operations, electric for lines some
Metrolink’s plans for a Southern California network radiating from from radiating network California Southern a for plans Metrolink’s .A. Union Station. Union .A. L
service improvements, including wiring wiring including improvements, service
Electrification). It proposes far-reaching far-reaching proposes It Electrification).
and Capital Plan (with Discussion on on Discussion (with Plan Capital and
in a report entitled Integrated Service Service Integrated entitled report a in
program, announced earlier this month month this earlier announced program,
counties - is looking at a modernization modernization a at looking is - counties
operates across five Southern California California Southern five across operates
link more useful? The agency – which which – agency The useful? more link
So what can be done to make Metro- make to done be can what So
approaches 3 million. 3 approaches
ridership is 300,000; in Paris, it it Paris, in 300,000; is ridership
commuter rail network, the equivalent equivalent the network, rail commuter
a smaller city with a slightly smaller smaller slightly a with city smaller a
commuter rail network. In Chicago, Chicago, In network. rail commuter
Metrolink is a large but underutilized underutilized but large a is Metrolink
yet just 40,000 weekday riders, riders, weekday 40,000 just yet
Ê ÌÀ>V] Ê v Ê iÃ Ê xää Ê Ì > Ê Ài Ê 7Ì
Special to California Rail News Rail California to Special
evy, November 2018 November evy, L Alon By
years 10 next the over growth
Regional rail agency plans for for plans agency rail Regional
Service and Partial Electrification Partial and Service
Metrolink’s Plans for Increased Increased for Plans Metrolink’s
May 2018 - August 2018 August - 2018 May 2 Number 28 Volume
S? L RAI DT L HUMBO & S L RAI IVER R L EE G REMOVIN 5: & 2 S E G A P SB 1029 Would “Rail Bank” Eel River Tracks, Abolish NCRA New Passenger Rail Service Possible, Along With Costly Eel River Trail By Michael D. Setty that the service shall not interfere The extraordinary cost of miti- Editor, California Rail News with or harm the agency’s trail.” gating numerous massive land- In March 2018, State Senator Mark iÌÜiiÊ ÕÀi>Ê>`Ê7ÌÃ]ÊÌ iÊ slides including possibly miles of McGuire introduced SB 1029, a bill 142 miles of railroad would be “rail new viaducts and environmental that would abolish the North Coast banked.” That is, rails, stranded mitigations makes the reopening of Rail Authority (NCRA). The bill rolling stock and other infrastructure the main Eel River Canyon between would transfer control of the existing would be removed, to be replaced Dos Rios and Alderpoint infeasible. railroad owned by NCRA to a new by a proposed trail, with a remote Recent estimates for reopening “Great Redwood Trail Authority,” long-term possibility of restoring rail the entire rail line between Samoa, which would control the right-of- service if ever economically justified. ÕÀi>Ê>`Ê7ÌÃÊ>ÀiÊ>ÌÊi>ÃÌÊfÈääÊ million and possibly up to $1 billion. way between Humboldt County and TRAC opposes SB 1029 unless 7ÌÃÊÊ i`VÊ ÕÌÞ°Ê amended to preserve the rail seg- No cost estimate currently exists Ownership and administration of ment from Eureka to Alderpoint. for converting the rail alignment to existing tracks between Cloverdale 7iÊ>}ÀiiÊÜÌ ÊÌ iÊ ,ÊÌ >ÌÊÌ ÃÊ a trail. However, much of the work >`Ê7ÌÃÊÜÕ`ÊLiÊÌÀ>ÃviÀÀi`Ê section has commercial potential, required to restore the railroad, from NCRA to the Sonoma-Marin Rail and that it is critical to the economic e.g., regrading, improving drainage, Transit District (e.g., SMART), which future of the County. (See related removing train wreck debris from currently operates Santa Rosa to San article on Page 5.) the river channel, and cleaning up other environmental damage and Rafael commuter rail service. According to the NCRA’s January toxic wastes, would also be needed 2018 Strategic Plan, retaining and In Humboldt County, SB 1029 for a trail. It is clear that rail banking upgrading the 46.5 miles tracks would retain existing tracks bet- and building an Eel River trail would from milepost 237.7 (South Fork) to ween Samoa, Arcata, and Eureka cost hundreds of millions of dollars, milepost 284.0 (downtown Eureka) for proposed excursion trains, but a large portion of which would be would cost $47 million, including contains the poison pill “…except spent in the main stretch of the Eel track and grade crossing repairs, River Canyon. fixing bridges and repairs for three tunnels. For the 16.5 miles of line TRAC strongly opposes diversion between Eureka, Arcata and Samoa, of any funds meant for rail service or estimated repairs are $15 million «ÕLVÊÌÀ>ÃÌÊÌÊ>ÊÌÀ>Ê«ÀiVÌ°Ê7iÊ including fixing track, timber bridges note that compensation to adjacent and other infrastructure repairs land owners may be required if por- needed to reopen the line. Funding tions of the line have rails removed Published May 15, 2018 for track restoration is not addressed and are “rail banked.” (See Santa Published 2-3 times annually by the Train Riders Association of California by SB 1029. Cruz article on this topic on page 7). in cooperation with the California Rail Foundation
Ronald Jones, TRAC President Michael Setty, California Rail News Editor David Schonbrunn, Copy Editor Signed articles represent the views of their authors, not necessarily those of the above organizations. 1025 Ninth Street #223 Sacramento, CA 95814-3516 Telephone: 916-557-1667 e-mail: [email protected] www.calrailnews.org/
California Rail News encourages letters, comments, and reports on local issues. Please submit your material to California Rail News at the above address. Sorry, we cannot guarantee return of photos or articles submitted. Deadline for material to be Several times per year, the Timber Heritage Association of Humboldt County included in the next issue of CRN is August 1, 2018. operates rail transit of a sort, and hopes to graduate to bigger trains soon. Join TRAC and Help Fight for Improved Trains Clip & mail with your check or money order payable to: Online Renewals or Train Riders Association of California (TRAC) New Memberships 1025 Ninth St. #223 Sacramento, CA 95814-3516 (916) 557-1667 You may also join TRAC or renew an existing membership online at the Regular member $50-79 Name TRAC website: Contributing member $80-499 www.calrailnews.org Click on the Donate tab on Street 1 (or company) Benefactor $500+ $ the upper left corner of the TRAC homepage window. Limited income $25-49 Street 2 Paypal and almost any credit Renewal Membership Number or debit card accepted. City State Zip (if known) New Member Telephone E-mail
2 California Rail News May 2018–August 2018 TRAC’s Response to High Speed Coast Rails’s Latest Business Plan By David Schonbrunn debt does not reduce GHGs, which Observations TRAC Vice President for Policy Cap & Trade funds are required to do. IT SEEMS THAT THE SAN JOSE The Capital Costs and Funding 7Ì ÕÌÊÌ ÃÊiÝÌÀiiÊ>Ã]Ê -,Ê chapter of the California High-Speed SHARKS hockey team doesn’t get Rail Authority’s draft 2018 Business cannot even pretend to have a viable transit. Despite the fact that the Plan provides a health assessment of project. The Authority claims that SAP Center is directly across the the HSR project for those who can see building out more of the project will street from where most major Silicon through the obfuscation: The project draw in private capital or the federal Valley transit lines converge, the has actually been dead for years, but government (hah!). Given the non- team expects 80% of fans to drive refuses to lie down to be decently viability of the project, it would be to games 20 years hence. They sued buried. In the 2016 Business Plan, the highly inappropriate to invest further VTA, claiming the proposed BART Authority tacitly admitted it could public dollars in such a speculative extension to downtown San Jose will drive away business... WE HAVE not fund a rail connection to Southern gamble. California. The new draft plan admits TO SIDE WITH S.F. MUNI on this outright it can’t build a rail connection CHSRA is obviously trying to one: No, the new Muni logo is NOT ÌÊ->ÊÃi°Ê7Ì ÕÌÊÌ iÊ>LÌÞÊÌÊ get the State to commit so deeply “Dodger Blue.” It is “UC Berkeley deliver an operating HSR segment, the that it won’t be able to abandon its Blue” e.g., like the Blue & Gold Fleet project as it is currently conceived has ÛiÃÌiÌ°Ê7 iÊÌ iÊ«ÀÛ>ÌiÊÃiVÌÀÊ ferries... AS CRN READERS ALREADY no reason to exist. and the feds refuse to invest, CHSRA KNOW, ROBOCARS are not what Instead of addressing this funda- will predictably put their hand out they’re cracked up to be, according mental reality, the plan deflects again, and ask the State to pick up the to some recent critical articles in the mainstream press... THOMAS ELIAS, attention to possible “interim” uses, entire cost. whereby the Authority’s Central COLUMNIST who writes on California 6>iÞÊÌÀ>VÃÊ>ÀiÊÕÃi`ÊvÀÊÌÀ>Ê 7 iÊÌ iÊiÝÌiÃÊvÊ >«Ê>`Ê issues, suggests that a new look be service, while Caltrain tracks offer Trade is taken off the table, the only taken at routing High-Speed Rail via ÃiÜ >ÌÊ } iÀëii`ÊÌÀ>Ûi°Ê7 iÊ option left for CHSRA is to plan an I-5, you know, as TRAC has suggested that plan generously spreads the orderly shutdown. TRAC believes for years. It has yet to be seriously state’s funds for Northern California that the time is now to bite the bullet, studied... DR. GRAHAM CURRIE OF local service, it is not an HSR system: before more billions of dollars are MONASH UNIVERITY, AUSTRALIA ÌÊ`iýÌÊViVÌÊÌ iÊ iÌÀ>Ê6>iÞÊÌÊ wasted on construction that will never has a new article in the Journal of -VÊ6>iÞ]ÊÕV ÊiÃÃÊViVÌÊÌ iÊ Public Transportation: “Lies, Damned lead to HSR operations. Bay Area and Sacramento to Southern Lies, AVs, Shared Mobility, and Urban California. Proposition 1A Bonds Transit Futures.” Its money quote: “It seems to me there is a gigantic lot of The Business Plan discloses that Because this draft Business Plan the Authority has no feasible way to is unable to show HSR to be a viable nonsense discussed about the future fund the missing piece connecting the business, it puts a brave face on of transport and the future of public iÌÀ>Ê6>iÞÊÌÊÌ iÊ >ÞÊÀi>qÌ iÊ the fact that CHSRA has no way transport in particular...” CANDIDATES tunnels under Pacheco Pass--other forward without a huge political lift. FOR GOVERNOR express their views than to wait for up to $18 billion to Eventually, it has to run out of money. on High-Speed Rail...Democrats want fall from the sky, delivered by some Proposition 1A, the HSR Bond Act, to keep it, but 3 of 4 seem to want to mythical private sector entity. The foresaw that possibility and created also fix it. Republican Travis Allen lack of any private investment to- provisions to prevent bond money wants to kill it; John Cox promises date is the definitive test of the from being wasted on unfinished to stop construction, but also seems project’s economics, which had been segments. willing to consider re-routing HSR compromised away in CHSRA’s early down the I-5 corridor, presumably if Those provisions, termed “a days. At the same time, TRAC is the private sector took over from the financial straitjacket” by a Court aware of private sector interest in state... THE STORY SEEMS TO BE THE building other, different, HSR routes. of Appeal, require that all needed funding be in place before funds could SAME EVERYWHERE, WHEN HYPED Clearly the economics of those routes LOOP comes to town. This time in are, by contrast, quite favorable. LiÊ`ÃLÕÀÃi`ÊvÀÊVÃÌÀÕVÌ°Ê7 i]Ê obviously, all needed funding is not France, where impoverished cities vie Cap and Trade in place, that same Court of Appeal for Hyped Loop’s favor... SPEAKING allowed CHSRA to go forward. OF HYPE, MORE ARE GETTING WISE CHSRA is also not going to get TO ROBOCARS, this time an article any free money during a Trump One of those conditions, that “the that points out that robocars would «ÀiÃ`iVÞ°Ê7 iÊ̽ÃÊ«ÃÃLiÊ -,Ê segment be suitable and ready for cause more congestion, particularly could qualify for low-cost debt, it has high-speed train operation” was later when their average occupancy no investment-grade funding stream modified by the Legislature, enabling will be less that 1.0 person... WITH the expenditure of bond funding for to service that debt. The Business CALIFORNIA’S INCREASING HOUSING -,ÊVÃÌÀÕVÌÊÊÌ iÊ iÌÀ>Ê6>iÞÊ CRISIS, more and more workers Plan’s Hail Mary move is to ask the and for the Caltrain electrification are becoming “super commuters” Legislature to double down on HSR project. A coalition of public entities traveling 90 minutes+ to work. at this pivotal moment, locking in a and non-profits is in court challenging commitment of Cap and Trade funding that law, AB 1889, as facially uncon- Many ACE and Metrolink riders fall through 2050. stitutional, because it amended a key into this category, but most super provision of a voter-approved bond commuters drive... RECOGNIZING Not only would this put the State measure. THE GROWING HOUSING CRISIS, a Treasury on the hook for any failure new report suggests using vacant of Cap and Trade, it would prevent CHSRA has spent over $4 billion, San Diego Trolley parking lots for future Legislatures from pulling the and has nothing to show for it in the people, not cars. There is sufficient Ü>ÞÊvÊiÜÊÌÀ>ÊÃiÀÛVi°Ê7ÀÃiÊÞiÌ]Ê plug on the funding to the project, room for 8,000 housing units according there is now a strong likelihood that no matter how badly things go. For to the report... OAKLAND A’S & L.A. CHSRA will never be able to deliver DODGERS LIKE GONDOLAS; they a project so vulnerable to huge cost actual service. For any other transit increases, that is the last thing a suggest constructing gondolas con- project, that would be absolutely necting BART to a new waterfront responsible legislature would do. scandalous. The time will come when stadium in Oakland and Union Station Financing HSR with Cap and Trade is California recognizes HSR as the to Chavez Ravine, respectively... But massive scandal TRAC sees it to be. also illegal, since paying interest on will they pay for them?
California Rail News May 2018–August 2018 3 an hour on buses. This means that infill stops at the intersections with Metrolink Capital Plan transit is scheduled to arrive at the (continued from Page One) the main buses are crucial on all lines: transfer point, called the pulse point, on the three lines to be electrified, but between Los Angeles Union Station a few minutes before the hour, every also on the remaining lines, especially and Burbank, as Tillier predicted. hour, and to leave just after the hour, San Bernardino, with its high ridership. However, the upcoming state rail allowing people to transfer between plan may have also played a role. any two routes with little wait time. The other missing element is fare The state is proposed concrete goals, On buses, it is difficult to maintain integration. The Metrolink plan says including a policy for evaluating frequent pulse schedules, but on nothing about offering urban riders, multimodal lifecycle costs in decision trains, separated from road traffic, within reach of Metro’s bus system, it is easy. Switzerland’s intercity rail making. This policy heavily favors a rail trip for the same price as a bus electrification: a Dutch benchmarking network has half-hourly pulses, and some individual stations have quarter- or subway fare. This is especially study from ten years ago found that important in the working-class areas electric trains cost about half as hourly pulses. ÃiÀÛi`ÊLÞÊÌ iÊÌi«iÊ6>iÞ]Ê->Ê much as diesel trains to procure and The pulse is not just about Metro- iÀ>À`]Ê>`Ê6iÌÕÀ>Ê ÕÌÞÊ iÃ°Ê maintain. Moreover, electrification is link itself, but also about the entire If there is a commuter train charging the most useful on short-range rail transit system within Metrolink’s lines with high service frequency, such range. Buses in suburbs served by $3.75 from Burbank to Union Station as Metrolink following the integrated Metrolink could be re-arranged to meet where the local bus and Metrorail service report’s proposed increases in the trains. This is feasible even in network charges $1.75, most riders service. relatively close-in suburban areas, such will opt for the cheaper option, even if If anything, Metrolink’s proposal for >ÃÊÌ iÊ6>iÞ]ÊLÕÌÊÃÊiëiV>ÞÊÕÃivÕÊÊ the train arrives every 7.5 minutes as electrification is too timid. The report suburbs where buses have little else to Metrolink plans. go but Metrolink, creating a local bus Ì>ÃÊ>LÕÌÊÜÀ}ÊÌ iÊÌi«iÊ6>iÞÊ Metrolink is making steps in the iÊÕ«ÊÌÊ->Ì>Ê >ÀÌ>]ÊÌ iÊ6iÌÕÀ>Ê pulse together with the train. right direction, but it’s still missing County Line up to Moorpark, and the The problem with this plan is some critical components of regional Orange County Line down to Laguna that it assumes middling frequency. }Õi°Ê7 iÊÌ iÊÀÌ iÀÊÌiÀ>ÃÊ The integrated plan report calls for rail modernization. The proposed make sense, since there is very little a train every 15 minutes on the core pulse timetable in the state rail plan demand for service beyond them, the "À>}iÊ ÕÌÞ]Ê6iÌÕÀ>Ê ÕÌÞ]Ê>`Ê should lead to substantial increase southern terminal is located nearly Ìi«iÊ6>iÞÊ iÃ]ÊLÕÌÊ ÕÀÞÊ in ridership—provided there is good halfway from Union Station to San off-peak frequencies elsewhere. This service to connect to. Metrolink is right i}°Ê7Ì Ê ÕÀÞÊ*>VwVÊ-ÕÀyiÀÊ includes the San Bernardino Line, to plan for electrification and high all- Amtrak service, there is an argument currently the system’s busiest. There day frequency, but it needs to do so for electrifying the entire corridor are no plans to electrify it (whereas on more than just the lines directly to San Diego, in collaboration with Dyson’s Electrolink plan does cover it), tied to high-speed rail—after all, these SANDAG. probably because it is disconnected from any future high-speed rail plans. investments abroad are typically not Electrification to San Diego is about compatibility with intercity especially useful as part of a blended But it serves relatively dense suburbs trains. plan with high-speed trains. In most in eastern Los Angeles County with no access to other rail transit and has no countries with a high-speed rail The plan suffers from excessive con- freight traffic to interfere with frequent network, high-speed trains run not servatism and caution, and needs to be passenger rail operations. only on dedicated high-speed lines but bigger. Tillier talked about integration also on legacy lines at lower speed. Metrolink is proposing investment in with high-speed trains between Fast trains from Northern California the San Bernardino Line—but the kind Anaheim and San Francisco but by could run to Los Angeles and then that makes service worse rather than the same token Metrolink needs to continue beyond on the LOSSAN better. It is calling for constructing corridor to San Diego, doing the trip an express bypass track, exactly the integrate its services with intercity between Los Angeles and San Diego in opposite of what the system needs. trains to San Diego, and integrate two hours or somewhat less. Metrolink’s stop spacing is extremely its fares with local public transit Ì ÀÕ} ÕÌÊ ÃÊ}iiÃÊ ÕÌÞ°Ê7Ì But Metrolink’s new plan is not wide; I wrote about this earlier this just about electrification. Several year, calling for infill stops in the out such integration, many people other steps are included, aimed at the 6>iÞ]Ê>ÌÊÌiÀÃiVÌÃÊÜÌ ÊvÀiµÕiÌÊ would continue to face difficult choices modernization of Metrolink service buses. The same prescription is true between an expensive car and a slow based on best industry practices. Ele- on the San Bernardino Line, whose bus. Metrolink holds the promise of ctrification is the most visible capital first four stops out of Union Stations providing public transit faster than infrastructure item, but there are take riders 23 miles out, about twice driving on the freeways, but only if it crucial elements involving operations as far as those on Caltrain out of San engages in additional investments to and scheduling. Francisco or the Long Island Railroad ensure it is available for everyone, on The furthest-reaching timetable out of New York Penn Station, and all lines. change is known as the pulse, pro- three times as far as the commuter Alon Levy grew up in Tel Aviv and Singa- posed in Goal 1 of the state rail lines out of Central Paris. pore. He has blogged at Pedestrian Obser- plan. This is common in some small vations since 2011, covering public transit, American cities on bus systems, but Metrolink already provides express urbanism, and development. Now based in rare in larger ones. In a pulse, several ÃiÀÛVi°Ê7 >ÌÊÌÊii`ÃÊÃÊÌÊÕÃiÊ Paris, he writes for a variety of publications, transit vehicles converge at one point, electrification to speed it up further, including New York YIMBY, Streetsblog, Voice such as one bus transfer point in a and open many urban infill stops using of San Diego, Railway Gazette, the Bay City small city, or a train station in a larger the high acceleration capability of Beacon, the DC Policy Center, and Urbanize one, at a fixed interval, typically once electric trains to limit the time cost of LA. You can fnd him on Twitter @alon_levy. the extra stops. This is especially true This article reprinted with permission. off-peak, when the system has to get Editor’s Note: TRAC suspects that the Original post with links is located at: future of electrification in California urban ridership and not just suburban http://urbanize.la/post/metrolink- will involve battery-electric and fuel plans-increased-service-and-partial- «i> ÕÀÊVÕÌiÀðÊ7Ì ÊÌ iÊ cell-electric trains and not catenary electrification proposed timed transfers with buses, systems.
4 California Rail News May 2018–August 2018 Excursion Trains & “Very Light Rail” Seem Plausible in Humboldt Co. By Michael D. Setty Potential Very Light Rail Service Editor, California Rail News Rio Dell - Fortuna - Eureka - Arcata In and around Eureka, restoring existing tracks would enable oper- ation of tourist trains. Currently, Potential extension to Blue Lake Casino Hotel an estimated 1.2 million annual visitors are attracted to Humboldt Humboldt State County. Attractions include Redwood University ARCATA National Park and area state parks Blue Lake and museums focusing on the history of the local timber industry. Tourist trains would help increase tourism by attracting more bus tours by Chinese EUREKA Indianola and other international visitors, and Costco enticing some visitors to spend an extra day in Humboldt County. Bayshore Mall
This, of course, brings up the issues King Salmon being addressed by SB 1029: whether rail should operate in the more stable Fields Landing portions of the Eel River watershed. The North Coast Railroad Authority was created by the State to improve the future economy of the North Coast. TRAC believes rail tourism to College of be a critical element of Humboldt’s the Redwoods economic future. Loleta Toward that end, TRAC strongly objects to SB 1029’s penny-wise and pound-foolish proposal to tear up the Fernbridge existing rails to put a trail in their place. TRAC proposes a low-cost rail implementation in Humboldt, using Fortuna existing rails, with a trail alongside. To Kenmar Rd put rails back “later” would be much more expensive, and would require the trail to be moved. TRAC urges the Alton Legislature to leave the tracks in place, and submitted proposed amendments.
7 iÊ- Ê£äÓÊ>iÃÊ«ÀÛÃÊvÀÊ Rio Dell Doha, Quatar “Very Light Rail” fuel cell-electric streetcar rail operations between Samoa and Eureka, we believe that the rail line from Eureka to Alderpoint also needs Source: onthemap.ces.census.gov to be saved. to stimulate many more overnight vehicles and GPS-based Positive Train 7 iÊ«À}ÃÌV>ÌÊvÊ«ÌiÌ>Ê visits. Starting in Eureka, visitors Control may make “very light rail” tourist railroad ridership is more art could ride through near-coast dairy economically feasible on the 30-mile than science, there are guideposts. farms and other farmland and forests, rail line between Rio Dell, Fortuna, Reat Younger (who unfortunately died and stop at the Scotia’s museum and Eureka, Arcata, and Humboldt State in 1993), a tourist railroad consultant, mill complex. There is also potential University (HSU), e.g., the most heavily was able to plan a large number of for “cannabis tours” since Humboldt populated portions of Humboldt Coun- financially successful tourist railroads County is known world-wide for the ty. Preliminary analysis indicates that in the 1980s and early 1990s. Based quality of its cannabis crop, though fixed infrastructure costs are likely to on Younger’s empirical observations, how many visitors would be attracted be less than $50 million for an upgrade about 10% to 11% of the local popul- by this now-legal industry is a wild to Class III standards, e.g., allowing 60 ation within 50 miles of the attraction guess. mph for passenger trains, constructing new stations and passing tracks, can be expected to take a ride on a A longer ride through the Redwoods with less than $5 million needed for suitable line. In Humboldt’s case, that would be like the Durango and an entire GPS-based PTC system is about 15,000 rides per year. Silverton or the Grand Canyon train in available soon from European vendors. Another rule of thumb was that 7>Ã]Ê<°Ê Ì Ê>ÀiÊ>ÀÊ>ÌÌÀ>VÌ 29% of destination overnight visitors ions to very scenic areas, and virtually The author’s preliminary analysis in remote rural locations such as all riders are also overnighters, who shows that potential ridership on such Humboldt County could be expected have a much higher positive economic a rail line between Rio Dell and HSU to ride an attractive excursion train, impact. is 6,000-7,000 daily one-way trips not including tourists, assuming 30 minute e.g., situations like Fort Bragg. Recent Riding along the Eel River to South frequencies end-to-end and more con- tourism data from Cairns, Australia is Fork or Alderpoint would provide centrated service between College consistent with Younger’s estimates, direct access to Humboldt Redwoods of the Redwoods, downtown Eureka, e.g., 28% of overseas visitors (mostly State Park. This would be substantially downtown Arcata and Humboldt State from Asia) rode the local scenic train different from the Skunk Train exper- University. vs. 15%-16% of domestic visitors, who ience, with more inland second are mostly repeat visitors. This schema growth, a view of the large groves Ridership would also be enhanced is consistent with mature tourist areas, on the west side of the river and the by coordinated bus connections bet- such as the Skunk Train. transition to the drier, warmer climate ween Rio Dell/Fortuna and Garber- These figures suggest a potential along the river. ville in South Humboldt County, as well as frequent connecting buses of somewhere between 150,000 and Future Transit? 250,000 annual visitor riders, given the between Arcata, McKinleyville and the current 1,000,000+/- overnight visitors In the longer run, advancing California Redwood Coast/Humboldt in Humboldt County, with the potential technology for driverless transit County Airport.
California Rail News California Rail News May 2018–August 2018 5 State Awards $2.7 Billion in Rail, Transit Grants In late April 2018, the California round trips, and to San Luis Obispo from Project Total: $904,600,000 State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) two to three round trips, and also improves awarded $2.65 billion to 28 local agencies travel time, reliability and safety for both Creates new round trips between Fresno, from the Transit and Intercity Rail Metrolink and the Pacific Surfliner in the Merced and Sacramento on the Amtrak Capital Program, including new funding Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo corridor. San Joaquin line, initiates phased service from Senate Bill 1, the 2017 increase in expansion on the Altamont Corridor 13. Peninsual Corridor Joint Powers gasoline and other taxes. This article Express (ACE) train service beginning Board (PCJPB) (Caltrain) Peninsula summarizes the rail awards by agency, with 1 train originating in Sacramento Corridor Electrification Expansion Project, amount, and short project descriptions and connecting to San Jose during the $123,182,000 from CalSTA. peak period. Creates new ACE service out of Ceres with zero-emission feeder bus Project Total: $203,638,000 4. Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Trans- connections to Merced that will connect bay Corridor Core Capacity Program, Supports all-electric passenger service with San Jose and Sacramento. These $144,490,000 on the Caltrain system and increases the services will connect Merced, Ceres, ridership capacity by expanding electric Modesto, Stockton and Sacramento, as $3,409,000,000 Project Total: multiple units (EMUs) rail cars under well as between Fresno and Sacramento Deploys 272 new rail vehicles and com- procurement. Lengthens platforms to and allow for ridership growth. Includes pletes a communication-based train control accommodate longer trains. Additional numerous new stations, and improved system (CBTC), allowing an increase funding also improves wayside bicycle connectivity to Bay Area and Bakersfield in train frequency to 30 trains per hour v>VÌiÃÊ>`ÊiÝ«>`ÃÊL>À`Ê7° services. through the Transbay tunnel as well as 14. Sacramento Regional Transit 22. Santa Barbara County Association of an increase in train length to 10 car trains (SacRT) Accerating Rail Modernization Governments (SBCAG) Goleta Train Depot, during peak hours to alleviate crowding. and Expansion in the Capital Region, $13,009,000 Allows for over 200,000 new riders per day $40,345,000 to ride BART. Project Total: $19,709,000 Project Total: $144,350,000 5. Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Improves transit facility for bus, train, Authority (CCJPA) Northern California Expanded service to Folsom. Combines bicycle and pedestrians by constructing Corri-dor Enhancement Program, with previous TIRCP award to allow for a modern, multi-modal train station that $80,340,000 15 min service during weekdays, plus provides a safe, functional and inviting 3 peak express trains in the peak hour facility that accommodates improved bus $275,041,000 Project Total: direction. Begins initial effort to replace the transit service and shuttles from Santa Rail projects to increase ridership by mov- existing fleet with low-floor rail vehicles Barbara Airport and the University of ing Capitol Corridor trains to a faster Oak- ,6î°ÊVÕ`iÃÊvÕ`}ÊÓäÊiÝ«>ÃÊ>`Ê California Santa Barbara. replacement vehicles and an investment in land to San Jose corridor, saving 10-15 23. Santa Clara Valley Transportation the highest priority platform conversions to minutes compared to 2018 travel times. Authority (SCVTA) 6/½ÃÊ-VÊ6>iÞÊ allow efficient and accessible boarding to Also funds statewide service and ticket BART Extension, Phase II, $238,360,000 integration, providing opportunities for the new vehicles. riders on at least 10 rail and transit systems Project Total: $4,779,935,000 15. San Bernardino County Trans- to plan travel and purchase tickets in a portation Authority (SBCTA) Diesel Extends BART into downtown San Jose and single, seamless transaction. ÕÌ«iÊ1ÌÊ6i ViÊÌÊ
California Rail News May 2018–August 2018 7 University of California Santa Cruz
BRT Light
HarveyWest
Dominican Hospital Potrero St
Downtown BRT Light
Cabrillo Laurel St BRT Light College Bay St Twin Lakes Capitola Mall Almar Av Seabright Boardwalk Live Oak Capitola Westclif New Brighton- 41st Ave Cabrillo College Seaclif Aptos
Rio Del Mar
Optimizing Rail Passenger Service in Santa Cruz County By Michael D. Setty two additional stations at Chestnut UÊ "ÊÌ«ÊvÊÌ iÊÎäÕÌiÊvÀiµÕiViÃÊ Editor, California Rail News & Laurel and Chestnut & Locust all-day, overlay additional service Partly out of curiosity, I followed Streets in Downtown Santa Cruz. every 30-minutes during the up on Santa Cruz County’s 2015 The Laurel Street stop would morning (6:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.) and Passenger Rail Feasibility Report connect directly to the Laurel afternoon (3:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.) peak to see if I could increase ridership Street buses to/from UCSC that periods between Downtown and operate every 7.5 minutes in each Rio Del Mar, staggered to achieve by optimizing the service pattern. direction during the school year. 15-minute service between those I generated my own ridership pro- The proposed Locust Street station points. jections, applying recent census is less than a block from Santa Cruz employment and population data City Hall, and is about 0.25 mile For the 30-minute all-day frequen- to the direct demand forecasting from the downtown core. cy scenario, projected ridership was model. In that model, population 11,156 daily riders, of which about UÊÊÊiÜÊÃÌ>ÌÊ>ÌÊÌ iÊiÌÀ>ViÊÌÊ and employment located within 4,500 came from downtown, Cabrillo New Brighton State Beach. This College, and the Pajaro extension. 0.5 miles of proposed station stops stop would connect to Cabrillo are the most important factors in College across Highway 1 with a For the 15-minute peak, 30-minute projecting rail ridership, followed transit lane on McGregor Drive, frequency at other times scenario, by the number of bus arrivals and and then across a new pedestrian/ total projected ridership was 13,737 departures at a given station. bicycle bridge that includes a ded- daily riders. These compare to the icated path for small, low axle- To test out the model, I applied Feasibility Report’s 5,500 to 5,800 weight automated minibuses. The daily riders for current conditions. it to new SMART rail service in automated minibus would operate Marin and Sonoma Counties that from the rail station through the Again, most of the difference began in September 2017. SMART heart of the Cabrillo College campus was due to two new stations in ridership has been averaging to the Metro bus stops on Soquel Downtown Santa Cruz, a new around 3,000 weekday one-way Drive. stop serving Cabrillo College with passenger trips during non- UÊÊ / iÀiÊÜÕ`ÊLiÊÓÎÊV>ÊÃÌ>ÌÃÊ a direct pedestrian, bicycle and holiday periods since beginning not evaluated in the 2015 rail automated minibus connection, as revenue service last September. study, in addition to the downtown, well as a connection to Pajaro and This compares to the 3,200+/- daily Cabrillo College and Pajaro stations. train service to/from the Bay Area. one-way trips projected by the model. A 10%+/10% result like this UÊÊ Ê7>ÌÃÛi]Ê>ÊV>ÊLÕÃiÃÊ My projections had about 3,000 would be extended beyond the is indicative of a very respectable `>ÞÊÀ`iÀÃÊÌÊ>`ÊvÀÊ7>ÌÃÛi]Ê existing downtown transit center model. versus less than 1,000 projected by ÌÊÌ iÊ7iÃÌÊ7>ÌÃÛiÊÀ>ÊÃÌ>Ì°Ê the 2015 and earlier studies. The This maximizes coordination and The direct demand model reasons for these low ridership was applied to the Santa Cruz provides a choice of more than one route to transit patrons. projections are not obvious, but County rail corridor plan, modified may reflect differing travel times to increase ridership beyond Two service scenarios were compared to bus, as well as more the highest ridership scenarios examined. These were: bus connections. studied in the 2015 Passenger Rail UÊ Operate 30-minute frequencies Feasibility Report: This article is based on a longer all-day over the line between white paper available online at www. UÊ Service was extended 0.7 miles Downtown Santa Cruz and Pajaro. calrailnews.org north from the Santa Cruz depot, to
8 California Rail News May 2018–August 2018