HomeMy WebLinkAbout20303 - RESOLUTIONS - 4/3/2002 RESOLUTION NO. 20303
OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS,CALIFORNIA SUPPORTING
PRIORITY TREATMENT OF METROLINK'S
RIVERSIDE LINE BY THE UNION PACIFIC
RAILROAD COMPANY.
WHEREAS Metrolink train service has become a valuable and effective form of transportation
for thousands of Riverside County residents who commute to Los Angeles or Orange
Counties; and
WHEREAS Metrolink trains improve overall mobility by giving commuters an alternative to
driving alone; and
WHEREAS the Riverside County Transportation Commission and Metrolink lease track rights
from Union Pacific Railroad forthe operation of commuterrail servicefrom Riversideto Union
Station in Downtown Los Angeles; and
WHEREAS the Riverside County Transportation Commission and Metrolink paid more than
$71 million to Union Pacific for capital improvements and operating rights to accommodate
12 daily passenger trains; and
WHEREAS the agreement between Metrolink and Union Pacific requires that priority be given
to the operation of passenger trains; and
WHEREAS in apparent violation of the agreement, Union Pacific has given priority to its own
freight operations; and
WHEREAS Riverside County passengers routinely experience delays of more than 30
minutes during their commute; and
WHEREAS on-time performance on the Riverside Line is the worst among the five-county
Metrolink system; and
WHEREAS on-time performance has suffered primarily because of Union Pacific's insistence
to value its freight customers over passenger rail users; and
WHEREAS the Riverside County Transportation Commission and Metrolink are seeking to
enhance and improve Metrolink service but are unable to do so without the cooperation of
Union Pacific; and
WHEREAS the Metrolink Board of Directors recently issued a"Letterto Cure"to Union Pacific
seeking an immediate improvement toward operating conditions on the Riverside Line; and
WHEREAS the issuance of a "Letter to Cure" legally starts the clock on what could lead to a
costly and time-consuming arbitration process. '
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Metrolink Resolution 20303
April 3, 2002
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Palm Springs,
California:
Section 1. Does hereby endorse and support the efforts of the Riverside County
Transportation Commission and Metrolink in continued and strengthened
efforts to ensure the enforcement of priority treatment contained in the
Riverside Operating Agreement with the Union Pacific Railroad Company;
and
Section 2. Does concur that this Resolution be transmitted to the Inland Empire's
legislative delegations in Washington D.C. and Sacramento.
ADOPTED this 3rd day of Aril 2002.
AYES: Members Mills, Oden, Reller—Spurgin and Mayor Kleiudienst
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
EST: CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
C
City Clerk City Manager
REVIEWED &APPROVED AS TO FORM
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