ITEM 8A

Staff Report

Subject: Federal Railroad Administration Funding Opportunity for the -San Gorgonio Pass Corridor Rail Service

Contact: Allyn Waggle, Deputy Executive Director ([email protected])

Recommendation: Authorize Chair to sign letter in support of Federal Railroad Administration grant program.

Background: RCTC has identified a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) grant program which, if successful, would provide $3 million toward completion of important elements of a planning and environmental study for a daily to Indio passenger train service. This study is another of the prerequisites necessary before FRA will authorize construction to proceed on making daily passenger rail service a reality.

The effort today is to gather the support for a letter-writing campaign in furtherance of this grant application process. RCTC has provided sample Letters of Support, and a list of Themes suggested to be followed, as well as specific Contents recommended to be included in the letters. The letters will be addressed to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation and to the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, but the letters will be sent to Aaron Hake, Government Relations Manager for RCTC. The attached data sheets should provide all the necessary information, but if you have questions, please contact Aaron Hake, or Allyn Waggle at CVAG.

The deadline date for the letters of support to be received at RCTC is Friday, September 5th. This is a very important effort and CVAG will also be reaching out into the community to encourage support letters are written and sent to RCTC. Expect a follow-up phone call from CVAG staff to offer any assistance you may need to make sure the support letter effort is successful. Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Pass Intercity Rail federal grant Letters of Support Logistical Details  Letter of Support Deadline to RCTC: Friday September 5 o Send to Aaron Hake, Gov’t Relations Manager at [email protected] (call 951-787-7141)  Application Deadline: Monday September 15  Addressees: The Honorable Anthony Foxx The Honorable Josesph C. Szabo Secretary Administrator United States Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590 Washington, DC 20590

 Preferred letter length: 1 page (2 max.) Grant Details  Awarding Agency: Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)  Program: Passenger Rail Corridor Investment Plan (PRCIP)  Applicant: Caltrans (in partnership with RCTC, CVAG)  Amount sought: $3 million  Local Match by RCTC: $900,000  Coachella-Pass rail is likely to be the only California applicant for this pot of funding  What the grant will do: o Complete planning and environmental study of LA-Indio daily Amtrak service. Evaluate best routes, stations, schedules; estimate ridership, costs and environmental impacts. Public outreach/input is also a component of the work to be done.  Why this grant (and study) is important: o This study is a prerequisite before proceeding to construction. It is necessary to know what improvements are needed to begin service, and the costs and benefits of those improvements. o RCTC and CVAG have devoted millions of dollars in local funds to get the study started; we need federal partnership to complete the effort. Without it, we can’t move forward.

Letter Contents

 Explicit statement of strong/enthusiastic/wholehearted support for LA-Indio rail service.  Your organization’s purpose and any compelling background/facts about your importance.  Your direct interest in LA-Indio rail service: why you support the effort.  Why your region is worthy of federal investment (present any useful facts, stats, demographics, trends you believe are compelling that tell the story of your region or sector).  Expression of partnership w/RCTC, CVAG, local, state, federal, or tribal agencies, and private sector.  Any history of working similar initiatives (e.g., planning, tourism, transportation, econ. dev. etc.)  Thank the Secretary and Administrator for their consideration. Key Themes  Increasing rail ridership  Benefits to disadvantaged communities  Integration/connectivity of rail/transit  Economic growth/needs  Livability/sustainability (TOD)  Tourism  Environmental benefit

August X, 2014

The Honorable Anthony Foxx The Honorable Josesph C. Szabo Secretary Administrator United States Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE Washington, DC 20590 Washington, DC 20590

Dear Secretary Foxx and Administrator Szabo:

[[Organization name]] [[strong/enthusiastically]] supports the California Department of Transportation's (Caltrans) application to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for $3 million for the Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Pass corridor.

[[Brief overview of what your organization does]]

Today there is no viable alternative to driving between the greater Los Angeles area and the Coachella Valley. [[Discussion of why connecting the Coachella/Pass region to L.A. is important to you]] [[Possible language: The Coachella Valley is a popular destination for domestic and international travelers, featuring world- renowned cultural events, recreation and open spaces, and growing medical and clean-energy industries. Interstate 10 is the route that connects the nation’s largest metro area east-to-west, where one of every five vehicles is a truck. Rail offers a safe, reliable, and efficient alternative to I-10 that makes the entire Southern California region a more attractive place to live, grow a business, or visit.]]

[[Discussion of economic impacts]] Intercity rail has the potential to facilitate a two-way flow of economic growth across Southern California. One in every four jobs in the Coachella Valley is directly or indirectly supported by tourism. Increased tourism demand resulting from ease of travel will generate local jobs, while also opening Riverside, Orange County, and L.A. to the growing labor market in the Coachella Valley. With a service area covering 10 million people, the potential impact of rail service in this region creates enormous economic potential.

[[Any additional unique detail to your perspective on the benefits of rail service, such as: quality of life, environment, jobs, etc.]]

An FRA grant to this project will add momentum at the right time for this exciting project for our region. The grant will enable Caltrans and the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) to complete the studies needed to prepare a viable project and service plan. There is broad local support for this effort, including financial commitments from various government agencies. [[Any discussion of private sector or governmental partnerships/enthusiasm, etc.]]

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this important application. We look forward to a bright future for rail in Southern California.

Sincerely,

[[You]] COACHELLA VALLEY–SAN GORGONIO PASS COACHELLA VALLEY–SAN GORGONIO PASS Corridor Rail Service Corridor Rail Service

RCTC, CVAG, and Caltrans have recently made swift progress to prioritize Coachella Valley- San Gorgonio Pass corridor rail service. Recent achievements include: 3 Included in 2013 California State Rail Plan; COACHELLA VALLEY– 3 Initial planning study performed by Caltrans; COACHELLA VALLEY– SAN GORGONIO PASS 3 Local business and civic support; SAN GORGONIO PASS CORRIDOR RAIL SERVICE 3 Ongoing local funding source in a Coachella Valley bus/rail funding split and state bond funding for post study construction; and CORRIDOR RAIL SERVICE 3 Phase 1 service development plan underway. Connecting Southern California Already Funded Los Angeles to Indio intercity rail service will provide an integrated, sustainable Task 1: Project Work Plan & Outreach Plan Funded/In Progress Amount mobility alternative, providing economic opportunities and fostering more livable communities in Southern California’s major urban centers. Local Coachella Valley Transportation Development Act $200,000 De ne Project Approach Identify Stakeholder Outreach (TDA) funds identi ed for rail as part Fast Facts of a bus/rail split Sustainable Answer to a Market in Demand • Route length: 141 miles Task 2: Preliminary Service Planning and Alternatives Today there is no viable rail option serving the Coachella Valley. International tourism • Population in service area: generates over a half-million visits every year, with many visitors from countries where PHASE I Identify Service Patterns/ Develop Ridership and California Prop 1B PTMSIEA Public 10 million rail is the primary mode of travel; domestic travel is even greater. Internationally- Transportation Modernization, $1.5M renowned special events keep the Coachella Valley busy year-round, from the Alternatives Cost Projections Improvement, and Service Coachella and Stagecoach Music Festivals, the Palm Springs Film Festival, BNP Paribas Enhancement Account • Proposed initial daily round- trips: 2 Tennis Open, and President Clinton’s Humana Golf Challenge, to name a few. Grant Funding Request • Running time Los Angeles- Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Pass rail service provides a regular, reliable Task 3: Environmental Documentation Seeking Funding Amount Indio: 3 hours transportation alternative that could lead to greater investments in transit and transit- oriented developments to accommodate the large numbers of people who would Environmental Outreach Identify Impacts and FRA Passenger Rail Corridor $3M • Host railroads: Union Pacific, rather be car-free in this unique, vibrant enclave of Southern California. and Scoping Mitigations Investment Plan Grant grant request BNSF Railway Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) is investing in one of the largest Task 4: Service Development Plan • Stations being studied: Up to 9 active transportation projects in the nation: CV Link, a 48-mile multimodal pedestrian/ bicycle/NEV path connecting the entire valley. Intercity rail, CV Link, and existing and Local Coachella Valley TDA funds Finalize Planning Documents to be Eligible for Federal Funds $900,000 • Current phase: Planning/ planned investments by SunLine Transit Agency will make it easier for visitors and PHASE II identi ed for rail as part of a bus/rail split local match Alternatives Analysis residents to enjoy the Coachella Valley without a car. • Local investment to-date: “Track” Record: RCTC-State-Federal Partnership for Sustainable Transportation $1.7 million committed to Economic Opportunity current study. $5.0 million in Southern California Nearly one in every six jobs in the Coachella Valley is in the tourism industry. Intercity in prior studies and station rail service will increase economic productivity of land and labor in the Coachella Valley Perris Valley Line 91 Project investments by increasing the ease with which domestic and international visitors can access the RCTC is constructing the Perris RCTC is constructing the 91 Project • Request: $3.0 million from desert and fuel the local economy. Valley Line (PVL), a commuter rail with the aid of a $421 million TIFIA Federal Railroad Administration Reliable intercity rail service also opens up new employment markets for economically extension of service loan. This $1.3 billion multi-modal to be matched with $900,000 in to Los Angeles Union Station via project will offer commuter choices disadvantaged communities in the Coachella Valley. Connecting the desert to the Orange County and Riverside. through one of California’s most local funds urban cores of Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange County, and Los Angeles provides PVL received a $75 million Small congested corridors. “ladders of opportunity” to access higher-paying jobs that today may be out of reach Starts grant from FTA. for many families.

LOSSAN (Los Angeles-) Colton Crossing RCTC is a member of the LOSSAN RCTC was a partner in the Colton intercity rail JPA, which will soon be Crossing, a rail-to-rail grade separation responsible for operating Pacific of Union Pacific and BNSF, which Surfliner Amtrak service between received a TIGER grant in 2010. This San Luis Obispo and San Diego via project has alleviated one of the nation’s Los Angeles. LOSSAN is a model most significant freight rail bottlenecks, of regional cooperation in Southern improved air quality, and greatly California to make rail service easy improved the effectiveness of passenger and convenient for riders. rail service in Southern California.

Initial Project Supporters: Riverside County Transportation Commission • County of Riverside Supervisors • Coachella Valley Association of Governments • Coachella Valley EconomicPlease Partnership visit rctc.org • City of Calimesa for more • City of information Cathedral City • City of Corona • City of Indian Wells • City of Eastvale • City of Jurupa Valley • City of Indio • City of La Quinta • For more information, contact Sheldon Peterson, RCTC Rail Program Manager: [email protected] (951) 787-7141 City of Palm Desert • City of Palm Springs • City of Temecula • Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau • Southwest Rail Passenger Association COACHELLA VALLEY–SAN GORGONIO PASS CORRIDOR RAIL SERVICE

Coachella Valley Profile: The Coachella Valley is a diverse and Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Pass Rail: Creating Car-Free Opportunities Across Southern California growing area of Southern California. The permanent population is majority Hispanic Potential Station Los Angeles Fullerton Montclair Riverside San Bernardino Redlands San Gorgonio Pass Coachella Valley and 45.6% is younger than age 35. In Transit/Rail Amtrak Amtrak Metrolink Amtrak Amtrak Redlands Rail extension PASS Transit Amtrak the winter, the region’s population swells Connections Metrolink Metrolink Foothill Transit Metrolink Metrolink Omnitrans RTA SunLine Transit Agency by two-thirds. The region is home to six Metro Rail OCTA Metro Gold Line (future) Riverside Transit Redlands Rail extension Shuttle to Loma Linda CV Link Native American tribes. Coachella Valley employment is growing faster than the Regional express buses Agency (RTA) Omnitrans VA Hospital Shuttle to Palm Springs Inland Empire as a whole; intercity rail Megabus Megabus Airport service will only add to this momentum. Flyaway Shuttle to LAX Ethnic Composition - Coachella Valley COACHELLA VALLEY- Black Other 2.0% 1.3% SAN GORGONIO PASS Asian/Pacific Native American Islander 0.3% CORRIDOR RAIL SERVICE 3.5% 14 Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Tracks Tracks White LOS ANGELES 37.5% COUNTY SCRRA Alignment (San Gabriel Sub) SAN BERNARDINO UP Alignment (Alhambra Sub) Hispanic 15 55.4% COUNTY Existing Station with Rail Connections CRESTLINE LAKE ARROWHEAD 210 Employment Growth Rates RUNNING Potential Station* 8% SPRINGS Catchment Areas (15 mile radius) 7% SAN BERNARDINO 6% MONTCLAIR STATION 62 RIALTO L.A. 210 STATION SAN BERNARDINO 5% UNION STATION REDLANDS/ COLTON 4% FONTANA LOMA LINDA 10 ONTARIO MORONGO STATION VALLEY 3% REDLANDS 10 710 POMONA LOS ANGELES LOMA YUCAIPA 2% GRAND LINDA 605 RIVERSIDE TERRACE COACHELLA 1% DOWNTOWN CALIMESA CHERRY 110 VALLEY 57 STATION DESERT HOT 0 405 SPRINGS VALLEY BEAUMONT CABAZON FULLERTON PLACENTIA 60 BANNING PALM 105 YORBA NORCO -1% FULLERTON LINDA 15 RIVERSIDE 10 SPRINGS STATION MORENO STATION -2% NORWALK VALLEY PASS AREA 91 STATION -3% 91 CORONA 215 79 THOUSAND ANAHEIM PALMS -4% ANAHEIM HILLS PALM MID-VALLEY 243 SPRINGS 111 ORANGE RIVERSIDE STATION -5% CATHEDRAL CITY -6% 22 COUNTY INDIO RANCHO DOWNTOWN -7% MIRAGE 79 PALM STATION 74 74 74 DESERT 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 INDIO 405 INDIAN 55 WELLS 10 Coachella Valley COACHELLA Inland Empire THERMAL 74 LA QUINTA ORANGE COUNTY 15 79 5 74 MECCA

371 111 OASIS

* Not all potential stations will be needed; construction and alignment alternatives will be determined in the future.