Service Performance Overview - and FY 2018 For, the Capitol Corridor experienced its 14 th consecutive month of positive Year-over-Year (YoY) growth. A total of 144,726 passengers rode Capitol Corridor trains during the month, representing an exemplary 7.0% growth versus September 2017. Revenue for grew 7.9% over September 2017. These year-end results have allowed Capitol Corridor to achieve another record for ridership [1.71 million trips, +6.2%], revenue [$36.22 million, +6.6%] and System Operating Ratio [59%]. Customer Satisfaction continues a slow rebound with 86% for August 2018 (the most recent result), below the FY 18 standard of 90%. End-point On-Time Performance (OTP) for was 94% (#1 spot in Amtrak national system), continuing a three-month period (June September) of superb OTP of 93% 94% and lifting FY 18 end-point OTP to 90%, which meets the FY 18 standard. Key reasons for this improved reliability include a steep reduction in host railroad (Union Pacific) signal delay minutes and improved mechanical performance of the Capitol Corridor locomotives by Amtrak. Standard Sept. 2018 Sept. 2017 YTD vs. Prior YTD vs. FY18 Plan Ridership 144,726 7.0% 1,706,827 6.2% 5.9% Revenue $3,128,387 7.9% $36,219,465 6.6% 9.2% Operating Ratio 68% 63% 59% 6.8% 13.8% OTP 94% 93% 90% -4% 0.4% Customer Satisfaction 86 88 85-3.1% -5.1% The following are ridership highlights for : Average weekend ridership for was up 8.9% compared to September 2017 due to the Buy One Get One promotion and Oakland A s and 49er s home games. Average weekday ridership for continued on a positive trend, with an 8.3% YoY increase due to the continuing strong economy and corresponding job growth in Northern California. State and Federal Legislation and Funding Upcoming November 6, 2018 Ballot Measure State Proposition (Prop) 6 Repeal of the Road Repair and Accountability Act: If passed by voters, Prop 6 would repeal a state gas tax increase and other transportation fees enacted by the State Legislature in April 2017 via Senate Bill (SB) 1. SB 1 increased state transportation funds by approximately $5 billion per year after decades of underinvestment by the State. The primary goal of SB 1 is to restore the condition of the state highway system and local streets and roads while increasing funds for local transit, commuter/intercity passenger trains, and pedestrian/bicycle facilities. The impact to the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) from the passage of Prop 6 would be immediate, as SB1 funds recently received by the CCJPA have been invested in safety and reliability projects that resulted in improved system OTP through signal upgrades and the clearing of debris and repair of barriers along the tracks. Other projects impacted by the passage of Prop 6 would include: Oakland-San Jose Phase 2A Project (15-minute travel time reductions to/from San Jose), the Sacramento-Roseville 3 rd Track Project (up to 20 daily
trains to/from Roseville), and the replacement and upgrade of the Passenger Information Display System. The CCJPA Board of Directors took a formal position on Prop 6 at its September 19, 2018 meeting. State Legislative Matters CCJPA Support Positions Assembly Bill (AB) 2034 (Kalra) Human Trafficking Training/Rail Transit Agencies: This bill would require all rail transit agencies in the State to have a comprehensive human trafficking training program for their respective operations and security staff members. The general specifications on this training will be developed by the CA Department of Justice if AB 2034 is enacted. Both the CCJPA and Amtrak staff have met with the author s staff and have supported the provisions of this bill. Status: Passed by Senate and Assembly; and enacted by the Governor. Federal Legislation Notice of Funding Opportunities The Federal Rail Administration (FRA), as the grantor of the federal FAST Act Rail Title funds, has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the following appropriated federal funds: FY 18 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) [$318M]: Competitive grants will finance improvements to passenger and freight rail services in terms of safety, efficiency, and reliability. Positive Train Control (PTC) and other technology items, as well as rail line relocation, are also eligible for funding. A 20% match is required, with 50% encouraged. Grant applications were due on October 12, 2018. CCJPA submitted an application to support the environmental documentation and preliminary engineering for the shift in service to the Coast Subdivision between Oakland and Newark. FY 17 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) [$65.2M]: In June 2018, the CCJPA joined an application led by Caltrans that would provide funding for PTC along two sections of the Coast Subdivision, between Gilroy and San Luis Obispo and between Oakland and Newark, as well as a new crossover and siding in Santa Clara to improve service reliability between San Jose and Oakland. The PTC portion of this project was selected, but the new crossover and siding was not included in the selection. These federal funding opportunities mark a vast improvement over prior appropriations and represent support from Congress in state-supported Intercity Passenger Rail (IPR) services. With the recent allocations of new SB 1 revenues, the CA IPR services are strongly positioned to secure federal program funds. Proposed Federal FY 19 Budget While discussions continue between the FY 19 funding plans from the two Appropriations Committees (see table below) to develop a compromise conference report for an approved FY 19 budget, no deal could be brokered prior to October 1, 2018 (the start of federal fiscal year 2019). Thus, on September 25, 2018, a Continuing Resolution (CR) was enacted until early December 2018.
Customer Service Program Upgrades Bike Access Plan: New angled bike racks that increase onboard bike storage capacity have been installed on select train cars, and staff is working with the bike rack supplier to improve the design of a small component that will improve the usability and service life of the racks. Staff is also working with a vendor to finalize the design for a Superliner bike storage rack. Café Car Update: Improvements in the Café Cars include new seasonal menus offering select products for a limited time only and the design and installation of menu panels with generic content that do not require frequent changes. Marketing & Communications Advertising/Offers: Capitol Corridor s Buy One, Get One Saturdays offer ended on September 29, while Friends & Family will run at least through the end of the year. A new contract is being put in place with the advertising agency for FY 19, and staff met with the agency in September to kick off the planning process, including additional fare offers for 2018 and 2019. Also, on the advertising front, the Capitol Corridor supported a paid, geo-targeted digital campaign spearheaded by California Operation Lifesaver (CAOL) during Rail Safety Month, and participated in Amtrak s Flash Sale September 11 through 13 offering a 30% discount to student travelers. Social Engagement/Partnerships/Events: In September, staff supported Rail Safety Month through a variety of activities, including involvement at a homeless shelter in Richmond with CAOL and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Two social media contests were launched in collaboration with marketing partners one for Phantom of the Opera at SHN s Orpheum Theatre and one for the Jay-Z/Beyoncé concert in Santa Clara. Together, these contests resulted in record-breaking participation and engagement. Staff also coordinated and promoted two rescheduled late trains for partner events one for the Oakland Raiders Monday Night Football game against the L Rams on September 10, and the other for the Jay- Z/Beyoncé concert at Levi s Stadium. Amtrak will be providing ridership and revenue reports for both rescheduled trains. Active partnerships in September included the Oakland A s, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Giants Enterprises, Visit Oakland, Live Nation, and SHN Theatre, while discussions are beginning with San Jose holiday ice rink and the Harlem Globetrotters for fall/winter partnerships. New contracts: Marketing staff is completing the new contract with Creative Mint Advertising and has begun planning for its advertising and media campaigns for FY 19 with them. Other: Staff is involved in developing signage projects for stations to assist passengers in wayfinding and information. Staff also continues to work on communications related to a number of upcoming projects including PTC testing and implementation, and is developing a year-long rail safety outreach campaign in collaboration with CAOL.
Safety and Service Reliability Initiatives Station Safety Upgrades: Amtrak has continued installation of security cameras at the Auburn, Rocklin, Roseville, and Suisun stations. This project also includes installation of lighting and a wayside power system at the Auburn layover site. Completion of these projects is expected in the Fall of 2018. Positive Train Control Update: While an initial launch of PTC on select Capitol Corridor trains was scheduled in late September, Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) encountered internal server software issues that prevented the PTC launch. With 95% of the state-owned Northern California rail vehicles (locomotives and cab control cars) commissioned and tested for PTC operations, Amtrak awaits the go-live signal from Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) to launch PTC on select Capitol Corridor trains. As PTC is rolled out to other Capitol Corridor trains, initial terminal delays may occur during the initialization/start-up as the onboard train PTC system downloads the digital operating files from the host railroad server. Amtrak and UPRR have developed contingency plans to minimize these delays. Discussions continue with Caltrain on their installation plans and subsequent launch of PTC along the Caltrain corridor (SF-San Jose). State Rail Assistance (SRA) Funded Projects: Using the funding provided by the State of California under SB 1, Capitol Corridor has begun several improvement projects. Two projects have been executed by UPRR. The first project was a series of signal upgrades to improve the reliability of the railroad and help avoid episodic delays and was completed in September. CCJPA staff is continuing to work with UPRR and has identified an additional signal reliability improvement project which is programmed for the coming year. The second project established a permanent Right-Of-Way (ROW) abatement crew to improve safety and security along the route. This crew is working to remove debris and temporary shelters, install and repair security fencing, and construct access deterrents to help reduce trespassing and related incidents. This project is focused on reducing the number of trespassing activities on Union Pacific Railroad and reducing the number of fatalities on the Capitol Corridor route. In addition to these two projects, the SRA program is funding an initiative to replace and upgrade the California Passenger Information Display System and to support the rail relocation and service improvement project between Oakland and San Jose. Project Updates Travel Time Savings Project: UPRR has completed the final stage of work, which adjusted the railroad signal system to accommodate higher train speeds. The CCJPA, Amtrak, and UPRR are working together to schedule ride studies in order to ascertain the new arrival and departure times between Fremont and San Jose station to verify the time savings. The intent is to reduce run times by up to 10 minutes for Capitol Corridor trains between Sacramento and San Jose with an expectation for implementation in early 2019. Sacramento-Roseville 3rd Track/Phase 1 Project: The design consultant has begun work on the final design of this Phase I project, with the 10% design plans submitted and currently under review by the CCJPA and UPRR. UPRR has begun providing design support and will also complete the railroad signal design plans later in the design phase. Current work by the design consultant includes site surveying and geotechnical site investigation. At present, the design is expected to be completed in late 2020. Following the completion of the design and then construction of the improvements, this Phase 1 project will permit the addition of two daily round trips between Sacramento and Roseville. Renewable Diesel Pilot Program Status Report: Staff, in partnership with Amtrak, has completed the testing of renewable diesel fuels on our test locomotive (the California F-59). This pilot program included coordination with the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Testing began in early September 2017, with a companion locomotive to protect service, and
in late October 2017, the locomotive operated as the sole power unit on the weekday test trains (#529/#536 Auburn-Oakland runs). During the testing period, there have been no noticeable changes in the performance of the locomotive, nor has there been any significant loss of power or equipment damage. On December 29, 2017, California Air Resources Board (CARB) personnel completed their emissions testing of the locomotive. CCJPA Staff has received the results from CARB s labbased test which determined emission rates by comparing the results from the typical petrolbased diesel fuels versus the piloted renewable diesel. The CCJPA and Caltrans are in discussions with Cummins (the manufacturer of the Charger locomotive engines) to confirm that testing renewable diesel will not have an impact on the Charger warranty. If approved by Cummins, renewable diesel fuel will be tested on a new Charger locomotive. If all tests show that renewable diesel is operationally suitable, the CCJPA will shift towards the use of renewable diesel for normal operations. Outlook Closing FY 18 was a banner year for Capitol Corridor performance. Records were set for total riders, revenues and system operating ratio. Service reliability was sub-standard at the beginning of the year, but OTP has rebounded to historic highs of 93%-94% over the last several months, which in turn has improved customer satisfaction scores. The CCJPA, working with its service partners, intend to carry this positive service delivery in FY 18 into FY 19. All the while, the CCJPA remains keenly focused with its service partners on delivering a key safety initiative for the Capitol Corridor passengers and onboard crews installation of the PTC automated collision-avoidance system on Capitol Corridor trains in October (before the December 31, 2018 Congressional deadline). In tandem, the CCJPA has securely the funds to begin the planning and design activities for the Sacramento-Roseville 3rd Track /Phase 1 Project and the Oakland-San Jose Project/Phase 2A.