Passenger Rail Study
From the July 30th Meeting
Reminders and Announcements
Rotarian of the week was Jerry Pettibone.
The Governors visit to the club will be August 13. We will meet in the large room.
There is an opening on the Aptos La Selva Beach Fire District board of directors.
Brenda Mee is asking us to keep an application at all times for potentially interested members. They will be available at meetings.
We welcomed back Rich Costa to the club after being away for some time.
Story
The speaker today was George Dondero Executive Director of the Regional Transportation Commission. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley and lives in Capitola. Karena Pushnick (see below) was also available to answer questions. The presentation today reviewed the passenger rail study for the rail line which was purchased in 2012.
Mr. Dondero updated the club on where are we today. Goals and objectives have been developed and the scenario evaluation has been completed. The evaluation is based on 3 goals: (1) transportation choices, (2) sustainability (3) cost effectiveness.
The study examined numerous scenarios (10) based on stops varying by frequency, length of line and primary ridership. These were boiled those down to 6 current scenarios which now prioritize the inclusion of Watsonville . Another part of the study has to do with compatibility with the rail trail, approved two years ago. 25% of the trail is now funded. A typical stop would include the trail and track with platform in the middle. This draft report is now available online. This fall the RTC board will view a revised report for formal adoption.
In answer to the question, ‘why rail’? Mr. Dondero spoke about the long term potential for transportation for the county. He said 37,000 more people will live here over the next 20 years and we need to start planning now. In addition there are state mandates to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We also wish to improve both our local and regional connectivity to other transportation networks.
We viewed a map of the regional rail network. There are many ways currently to travel by rail that we could connect to if we decide to go forward. We are looking at service between Santa Cruz and Watsonville. Monterey County will also put a rail station in Pajaro to connect someday to San Jose. Connections to the Coast Daylight are also proposed and would also stop at Pajaro junction. This would include connections to currently underserved areas such as San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara.
Train travel time will be 16 minutes from SC to Capitola and 36 minutes from SC to Watsonville. The busiest stations would be west side Santa Cruz/ UCSC, 41st Ave, and New Brighton/Cabrillo. Cost estimates range from $ 6 - 7 million up to $22 million. Cost estimates are based on ridership forecasts, capital cost estimates, operations and maintenance cost estimates and a funding assessment. Most available funds are federal as well as a (proposed) SC Co transportation sales tax. No existing METRO operating funds will be used. On Sept 3rd there will be a discussion of the finalized draft plan at the RTC meeting and the final report will go to board later in the fall.The RTC is looking for comments on which scenario you prefer as well as questions. Public comment period closes tomorrow (July 31st) . To make comments or to review the draft report see www.sccrtc.org/rail.
A lively discussion ensued. There were questions on parking, bikes, bus service to be integrated, express versus local stops, possible traffic reduction on Hghwy1, service to Watsonville, San Jose connection alternatives, public outreach methodology, commute patterns, timeframe and trip time. Clearly this was a matter of much interest and concern to our club members and we will look forward to being updated as the draft plan moves forward.