HomeMy WebLinkAbout4/3/2002 - STAFF REPORTS (16) DATE: April 3, 2002
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
METROLINK - RIVERSIDE LINE RIGHTS
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that City Council adopt a Resolution supporting priority treatment
of Metrolink's Riverside Line by Union Pacific Railroad.
BACKGROUND:
Attached is a letter request from Riverside County Transportation Commission
(RCTC) seeking City Council support of the RCTC effort to enforce priority treatment
provisions in their operating agreement with Union Pacific for Metrolink trains on the
Riverside Line. Chronic on time performance issues currently exist due to conflicts
with freight operations by Union Pacific.
A Resolution expressing the City Council support for enforcement of the existing
priority treatment language in the Union Pacific agreement is attached for
consideration..
DAVID H. READY Ur _
City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2. RCTC Letter
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4D
0120 -Riverside County
3560 Univmity Avrnue Suite 100•Rivaride, Catifvrnm 92501
Transportation Commission phone.•(909)787-7141 •faz:(909)787-7920•w n-tc.org
March 18, 2002
Mayor and City Council Members
City of Palm Springs
P.O. Box 2743
Palm Springs, CA 92263
Dear Honorable Mayor and Council Members:
The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) is seeking your support in
ensuring the enforcement of priority treatment of the Metrolirk Riverside Line commuter
trains contained in the Riverside Operating Agreement with the Union Pacific Railroad
Company(UP).
As you are probably aware, the Riverside Line is an important transit alternative to our
region. RCTC, largely through the use of Measure A funds, along with SANBAG and MTA,
has invested over M million for capital improvements, track rights, and the purchase of
track to accommodate the operation of twelve weekday commuter trains. In making that
investment, we were assured by UP that commuter trains could coexist with the existing
freight traffic between Riverside and Los Angeles.
Unfortunately, Riverside County riders have experienced the trend of long-term decline in
the timeliness and reliability of trains on this line. Not only has the on-time performance
trended downward over the years, but also the duration of delays has increased. The on-time
performance problems are further exacerbated by noise and traffic delays experienced from
freight trains during the day and night. As witnessed by the recent petition circulated among
Riverside Line riders (of which over 40'% live in Riverside County), the chronic problems
with the on-time performance of they Riverside Line must stop.
The enclosed sample resolution highlights the various issues and impacts resulting from the
lack of priority treatment from UP. We respectfully request that your body consider these
issues and join our effort to protect our investment by adopting such a Resolution.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Stephanie Wiggins, Rail Program
Manager at (909) 787-7908 or via e-mail at swiggins@rctc.org.
Sincerely
1
0 ohn Tava e, Chair
Riverside County Transportation Commission
Enclosure: Draft Resolution Regarding the Metrolink Riverside Line
CC: David Ready, City Manager
Patricia Sanders, City Clerk
RESOLUTION NO.
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 for the operation of commuter rail service from Riverside to 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 Metrolinkand 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.
/ y5
Metrolink Resolution
April 3, 2002
Page Two
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 day of , 2002.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ATTEST: CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA
By —
City Clerk City Manager
REVIEWED &APPROVED AS TO FORM