Annual Meeting Minutes
March 27, 2008
Fresno, California
Call to Order
Chairman Harvey L. Hall called this meeting of the San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee (SJVRC) to order at 1:00 p.m. He recognized Fresno County Supervisor Henry Perea for hosting this meeting. Perea acknowledged Trish Pinedo, Cathy Crosby, and other Fresno County staff members who helped support this activity. They had arranged for historic photos of Fresno’s former trolleys to be displayed in the meeting room as well as a table that showcased sightseeing opportunities in Fresno County. SJVRC members were also presented with a miniature Fresno “Grizzlies” baseball bat.
Public Comments
Mr. Paul Dyson of the Rail Passenger Association of California (RailPAC) spoke on the purpose of RailPAC as a volunteer organization. He said their members support rail as part of a solution to environmental problems. Other talking points included the delay in passenger train equipment funding from Proposition 1B, focusing on improvements to service operating currently, farebox recovery, and the need for clean, functional trains. Dyson also addressed a “lying on the map syndrome” where fast, reliable trains would be compromised by stopping in every community that wanted rail service, such as those on the old Southern Pacific line through the San Joaquin Valley. Instead, money and other resources should be focused on improvements along the current passenger rail line.
Mr. Jim Newhoff from Transportation Involves Everyone offered positive remarks about preliminary market trials of at-seat service from a catering cart rolling down train aisles. He further expressed appreciation for responses to his suggestions for graphics used in marketing and rail schedules. In addition, he observed improved security measures for handling “unsavory characters” on trains.
Action Items
A. Minutes of the January 10, 2008 Meeting in Merced
Action: All 18 members present unanimously approved this item.
B. Installation of New Chair and Vice-Chair
The SJVRC members confirmed Merced County Supervisor John Pedrozo and Mariposa County Supervisor Dianne Fritz as their new Chair and Vice-Chair, respectively, for a two-year term per nominations at the January 10th meeting.
City of Bakersfield Mayor Hall delivered comments as outgoing Chair of the SJVRC. He mentioned a tremendous amount of dedication and support for rail on the SJVRC. Hall further noted many friendships he developed. Supervisor Pedrozo presented an Amtrak California model locomotive from the SJVRC as a token of appreciation for Hall’s two years of Committee leadership.
C. Resolution
Fresno County Member Larry Miller said that pieces of this resolution have been “kicking around” for some time—several items need to be addressed but with no particular urgency. He identified three points of this resolution (Minutes Appendix 3):
1) High-speed rail may or may not be installed, although a proposition is on the November 2008 ballot. Although a new rail system might appear to duplicate services, it certainly should improve the existing corridor. Different riders are served.
2) Should high-speed rail be implemented, this resolution recommends that the SJVRC advise the California Business, Transportation, and Housing Agency to plan for operations in as a compatible form as possible. Ticketing and train transfers need to be coordinated. Mr. Miller said nothing in print calls for this relationship.
3) The resolution recommends that the appropriate agencies look at moving the Amtrak San Joaquins service to the Union Pacific (UP) Railroad corridor. He said that route is not currently in a condition to accommodate passenger trains. Miller asked the Committee to recognize the possible value of this alternative.
Mr. Miller addressed several members’ questions and concerns about this resolution. He and Tulare County Member Ty Holscher made a motion to adopt this resolution with revisions. Some members said that such action would be a “premature” vote. Contra Costa County Member Howard Abelson added that the two railroad owners have adopted business plans: BNSF has been willing to accept public investment to double-track its portion of the San Joaquin Corridor, and UP chose to emphasize a private freight railroad model. The draft San Joaquin Corridor Strategic Business Plan recommended proceeding with investment along the BNSF alignment throughout the Valley. Miller replied that a contingency plan is needed if high-speed rail happens. Madera County Supervisor Vern Moss said the resolution was liable to be a “moot point” despite his appreciation for some ideas in the resolution.
Chair Pedrozo recommended a subcommittee meet to advise on some of these issues. Mr. Miller offered to withdraw the third part about UP coordination but said that the Legislature would appreciate the SJVRC weighing-in on high-speed rail. The next SJVRC meeting may be too late to do so, said Miller.
Action: Mariposa County Supervisor Brad Aborn and Los Angeles County Member Bruce Heard proposed further study and tabling this item until the SJVRC meeting in June. Their motion carried with two members opposed.
D. San Joaquin Corridor Strategic Business Plan/Approval of Support for Kings Park
Rob Owen from the Division of Rail at the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and Dominic Spaethling—consultant to Caltrans from PB—distributed an executive summary of the San Joaquin Corridor Strategic Business Plan. They gave a final opportunity to publicly discuss findings from a draft of the technical analysis (presented to members at the January 10th meeting). Clark Thompson from the Council of Fresno County Governments not only circulated to members two full pages of extensive comments but read them in their entirety to the audience as well. Supervisor Perea asked for a response to the comments. Mr. Spaethling said that the biggest gains on the San Joaquin Corridor would result from improvements to the existing alignment if considering the most cost-effective perspective for now. However, other possible regional rail connections identified in the plan, which could be studied by local agencies, would not be mutually exclusive. This plan concentrated on more immediate inter-regional needs in the next 25 years.
Mr. Owen and Mr. Spaethling fielded some other remarks about this plan. They recognized those who participated in the public outreach process and/or previously submitted written comments, such as Alameda County Member Michael Snyder. A couple of questions challenged projections, derived from Amtrak’s ridership models, for extending service to Visalia along the UP corridor and over the Tehachapis to LA. Mr. Abelson complimented the document and said that it provided sufficient detail on the ridership modeling process.
Action: Mr. Abelson made a motion to adopt the plan with pending revisions and documentation of additional comments received today. The plan was approved with two opposing votes.
Lee Goldenberg of Caltrans clarified that an action item pertaining to the Kings Park project support letter was only indirectly related to the strategic plan and required a separate vote. He explained the background of this first opportunity for Caltrans to request $5 million in federal matching funds for intercity passenger rail capital projects. State funds would comprise the additional $13.5 million cost of Kings County double-track work around Hanford. The federal grant application process required demonstration of immediate benefits, as well as local support of the project.
Action: Motion passed unanimously to approve the letter (Minutes Appendix Item 4).
Committee Member Concerns
No additional concerns arose at this time.
Presentations
A. Amtrak Call Center/Spanish Language Services
Jonathan Hutchison of Amtrak Government Affairs introduced Yolanda Mentz—Manager of the Amtrak Call Center in Riverside, California. She discussed how calls to Amtrak are routed/answered either in Riverside or Philadelphia, monitored for quality by management, and responded to when a Spanish-speaking agent is requested. A test of the Spanish voice recognition unit (VRU) system (known as “Julie” in English) is underway. At the conclusion of this presentation, members asked for an update at the June meeting.
B. Amtrak San Joaquins Route Performance Initiative
Martin Yurth, Northwest Region Director of Product Management at Amtrak, talked about a vision and collaborative approach Amtrak and Caltrans have used to assess progress in identifying issues on the San Joaquins. They designed metrics for what has really improved from efforts to make change on the Corridor. Several PowerPoint slides displayed some specific areas being addressed now. Ed Steiner of Amtrak Product Management – West addressed the new San Joaquins fare restructuring process that provides price incentives to ride Monday-Thursday and Saturday. Everyday low fares will be featured without many other discounts.
Several members complimented Mr. Yurth’s “enthusiastic” presentation. They invited him to report back at the June meeting among other remarks. Bill Bronte, Division of Rail Chief at Caltrans, further praised Amtrak’s support on these issues and recognized Mr. Goldenberg for “pushing hard” to address concerns.
C. Advertising Campaign for New Fare Structure
Gregg Glass of Glass McClure Advertising said the new lower fares would be available April 15. He previewed radio and TV ads that would run for six to eight weeks promoting prices and also briefed the audience on strategies to keep the public “thinking about” train travel.
D. Amtrak California Marketing
Katie Petersen, Chief of Rail Marketing at Caltrans, discussed plans and promotions for National Train Day on May 10. Although the official Amtrak-sponsored event venue in California will be at LA Union Station that day, other stations and communities may also participate by coordinating local celebrations. Petersen offered to confer with any group regarding their ideas for organizing an event. She also distributed a packet of outreach materials and advised that the official website http://NationalTrainDay.com had more information. Chair Pedrozo announced that May 10th would also kick-off Rail Safety Week in Merced County. Tom Sponsler of Amtrak Marketing explained that, in LA, display tables would promote travel to the San Joaquin Valley. He was continuing to work with the various convention and visitor bureaus corridor-wide on coordinating cross-promotion of multiple travel destinations throughout the area. Mr. Dyson said the National Association of Railroad Passengers and RailPAC are also supporting events in LA and Sacramento at a minimum and invited interested parties to volunteer with them.
Petersen also circulated a draft of the new spring timetable format for review/comments. She introduced Lisa Martin—graphic designer on her staff—and Mark Codey—Caltrans Bus Coordinator of Mr. Goldenberg’s staff—who both described how they developed a template for an “average” traveler to find where Amtrak California train/bus service goes. They requested comments by April 1 for a press deadline the following week. Martin and Codey accepted several immediate, positive reactions and suggestions from the audience.
Reports
A. Intercity Rail Day at the Capitol
Chair Pedrozo, Mayor Hall, and Merced County Member Angelo Lamas joined their counterparts from the other four California intercity rail corridor boards to talk with legislators on February 21. The group recommended forming a bipartisan caucus in support of intercity trains. A video prepared for that event was shown to the SJVRC. Mr. Bronte said that video would also be presented to representatives in Washington.
B. Amtrak Federal Update
Mr. Hutchison provided the latest details on Amtrak’s federal operating grant request for the 2009 Fiscal Year. He clarified misconceptions about funding back pay owed to Amtrak employees, which was a separate mandate from maintaining the system. Fuel and other costs had risen, and a constrained economy may reduce discretionary travel. However, in February, ridership/revenue rose 18.4% and 11.4% respectively. San Joaquins were also the most punctual trains in the state with 86% on-time.
C. State Budget Update
Mr. Bronte said that the Governor’s budget included the same amount of operating funds as last year, plus $6.6 million for increased labor and fuel costs. For the capital projects, recent legislation revised a formula for the Public Transportation Account to favor local agencies and transit systems over intercity rail. To keep projects moving, a proposal to borrow from Proposition 1B was proposed. The California Department of Finance and Caltrans had yet to reach an agreement on additional equipment needs. The State and freight railroads were also embarking on “new ground” in discussing the public benefit of double-tracking passes over the Tehachapis and Donner Summit for freight railroads. Bronte then replied to a few questions from the members.
D. BNSF Update
Rick Depler, Assistant Director of Passenger Train Operations at BNSF, stated that on-time performance for the first quarter of 2008 was 94%, with a new goal of 95%. He reported great connections with the UP at Port Chicago. Management changes at BNSF in California led to priority focus on the San Joaquins and other passenger trains. Speed restrictions were four minutes or less. Maintenance-of-way work was being done overnight with no more “blitzes” planned. The Electronic Train Management System was still being tested between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth. A new train dispatching computer system was rolled-out to help dispatchers make decisions by seeing impacts further down the corridor.
E. UP Update
Tom Mulligan, Director of Passenger Train Operations at UP, reported 99% on-time performance on the UP portion of the San Joaquins. Track and tie replacement around Martinez and in a Bay Area tunnel was planned for a weekend when fewer trains were running. Speed restrictions were minimal. The dispatching center in Omaha had recent renovations and provided for increased communication.
F. Amtrak Train Operations
Tommy Andrews, Acting Assistant Superintendent – San Joaquin Service at Amtrak, elaborated on charts of on-time performance that members received. They showed the best on-time performance for a calendar year-to-date. New double tracking has helped with train meets on the route. He said the railroads have been dedicated to holding freight trains for San Joaquins, directly resulting in improved performance. Mr. Andrews concluded with news on Amtrak operations management changes in the Pacific Division.
G. Amtrak Bus Operations
Rick Peterson, Director of Amtrak Bus Operations in Los Angeles, briefed the group on the May 12th schedule. The California Zephyr was going to continue at its current times, so passengers from Train 711 would continue to change buses in Sacramento for a timely connection in Reno with Train 6. A Caltrans-funded subsidy in Amtrak’s agreement with the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) was extended through October 2008. Amtrak customers were allowed to ride any YARTS trips, not just buses with immediate train connections. Peterson also noted that Monterey-Salinas connections with the San Joaquins will be discontinued due to low ridership, and no local agency was providing this service. Also cancelled was the Indio-Calexico route, which was already served by Greyhound and Crucero. East and South Bay Area connections, including San Jose, were “in flux” pending talks with Altamont Commuter Express.