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HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report 2409-3456CITY OF PALO ALTO CITY COUNCIL Special Meeting Monday, September 16, 2024 Council Chambers & Hybrid 5:30 PM     Agenda Item     2.Caltrain Electrification and Local Coordination Updates Presentation   City Council Staff Report Report Type: STUDY SESSION Lead Department: Transportation Meeting Date: September 16, 2024 Report #:2409-3456 TITLE Caltrain Electrification and Local Coordination Updates ATTACHMENTS Attachment A: Presentation Caltrain Electrification + City Partnerships APPROVED BY: Philip Kamhi Palo Alto City CouncilSeptember 16, 2024 Caltrain Electrification + City Partnerships Caltrain Context •77 miles of track from end to end •31 stations •Bi-directional commute •41 at-grade crossings •Financial Challenges •Pre-pandemic 73% farebox recovery (nation leading) •Today: 23% farebox recovery (facing upcoming average $77M annual deficit) 2 Ridership Growth / Cost Containment •Board Adopted Equity, Growth, and Recovery Policy •Revised schedule:Standardize, focused on more midday, evening and weekend service (diversify ridership) •Regional Coordination: Coordinated transfers, better signage Millbrae, GM group, Bay Pass participation, Clipper Start, fare integration •City Partnerships and toolkit: www.caltrain.com/citypartnership •Pass Forward Program: Bringing in new riders by providing free passes for low- income and equity priority community riders •Customer Experience/Fare Changes: $1 youth pass;300 new bicycle eLockers, new ticket options, new visual display signs being installed, station work, positive brand recognition •Cost Containment: Smaller trainsets, scheduling efficiencies, reduced overtime, internal efficiency programs •Electrification Planned September 21, 2024 Transformational Moment Caltrain is the oldest continuously operating passenger railroad in the West (160 years) Steam 1864 Diesel 1950s Electric 2024 7 First time in a generation any US system fully converted from diesel to electric system INSTRUCT IONSKey Milestones Complete: •Foundations (3,000+) •Poles (2,500+) •Traction Power Facilities (10) •Overhead Wire (2.5 million feet) •Upgraded the Signal System San Francisco to San Jose (31 at grade crossings) •12 trainsets delivered (more coming) •Over 1,000 First Responders Trained •Soft Launch (August 2024) Upcoming: •Additional trainsets and testing (Throughout 2024) •Fully Electric Passenger Service: September 21, 2024 5 Public Train Tours –12,000 People (San Jose,San Francisco;San Carlos) 7 Electrified Service Plan Benefits Express from SF to SJ in under an hour Quicker local service, 77 minutes instead of 100 Save more than 20 minutes on trips from Southern Santa Clara County to SF Ride More, Wait Less First Class for Everyone Clean and Green Improved service for all riders 7 GHG emissions reduced by 250K MTCO2 annually –equivalent to taking 55,000 cars off the road each year Improves local air quality Quieter trains, both onboard and off Free Wi-Fi Smoother, quieter experience Outlets at every seat Digital trip information onboard Spacious, accessible bathrooms 20% more train service 26% more train service at equity priority stations Half-hourly service during weekends and off-peak Get There Faster Electrified Service Plan Palo Alto 8 Weekday Schedule: www.caltrain.com/media/33909 Weekend Schedule:www.caltrain.com/media/33908 City Fact Sheets www.caltrain.com/servicebenefits Public Outreach Safety Campaign •Community Meetings •Residential Mailers •Onboard Outreach •School Campaign •Public Service Announcements •Right-of-way outreach Safety Video at caltrain.com/safety Right-of-Way Flyer Residential Mailer 10 11 •Main Events: o Palo Alto Station Sept 21 2pm -6pm o Eshoo Train Ride Sept 21 o San Mateo Station Sept 22 2pm -6pm •Additional events at every city along the corridor •100% Electric fleet from San Francisco to San Jose •Faster, More Frequent Schedule •Free Caltrain Rides September Launch Parties -September 21 & 22 www.caltrain.com/launchparty Connect with Caltrain Electrification 12 •Learn more at caltrain.com/electrification •Sign-up for Project Updates: caltrain.com/get-involved •Share Caltrain Electrification Benefits and News City Partnership/Toolkit Vital Role of Caltrain -City Partnerships The ability of Caltrain to sustain and expand service will depend in large part on cities actively supporting expansion of ridership to groups beyond Caltrain’s traditional core riders. Caltrain -City Partnership Toolkit In partnership we can increase transit ridership and: ●Reduce traffic and parking demand ●Support downtown recovery (vibrancy and tax revenues) ●Improve employee recruitment and retention ●Incentivize workers to return to the office ●Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions ●More Info at: caltrain.com/citypartnership Creating vibrant, diverse, people-centered communities where people gather, work and connect 15 ●City Worker Go Passes ●Transportation Demand Management ●Development Agreements ●Local Ordinances ●Transportation Management Association ●Station Access ●Parking Management ●Transit Oriented Development Partnership Models 16 Request: Palo Alto Support Caltrain-City Principles Palo Alto has been a leader on the corridor Caltrain staff offer to present to the Rail Committee to provide more information and feedback on Caltrain/City partnership principles 18 Draft Policy Overview 19 Caltrain is a customer-focused rail system. Our mission is to offer safe, reliable, accessible, and sustainable transportation service that enhances quality of life for all. The Caltrain Station Access Policy supports Caltrain’s vision of being a vital link in the regional and statewide rail network by: •Improving connectivity to communities and other transit systems.•Contributing to the region’s economic vitality.•Partnering with local communities to ensure that diverse constituencies receive a world-class travel experience. Policy Purpose Statement Safe Routes To, From, and Through Stations Goals C a l t r a i n A c c e s s P o l i c y U p d a t e 20 World-Class Customer Access Experience for All Users Ridership Growth through Strategic Access Investments Equitable Access Aligned with Diverse Community Needs Healthy and Sustainable Modes of Access Strategic Partnerships to Advance Station Access 1 RecapGoals and Objectives 2 3 4 5 6 21 The Access Hierarchy is the systemwide aspirational framework to: 1)Guide station area planning and investment decisions. 2)Be used as a tool for decision making and weighing the tradeoffs of access investments to ensure sustainable modes are the highest priority. 3)Ensure proposed access improvements prioritize pedestrians, biking/ shared micromobility, and transit facilities as the highest priority. Access Hierarchy All Caltrain riders are pedestrians at some point in their journey. This includes people walking on foot, using wheelchairs and other mobility devices, and children in strollers. All forms of shared micromobility such as bike share and scooter share, and private bicycles and scooters. All connecting transit and shuttle services to Caltrain stations including bus, paratransit, private shuttles, light-rail, and other heavy-rail operators. Taxis, all forms of ride-hailing services, and private drop-off. Private and shared vehicle parking facilities. 22 Implementation Plan The following eight next steps support the application of the Station Access Policy and are organized in short, medium, and long-term time periods. Short term (0-2 years) •Dissemination of the Station Access Policy •Update the Caltrain Design Guidelines and Criteria •Develop a Parking and Curbside Management Strategy •Develop a Station Access Database Mid-term (2-5 years) •Document the Process for Access Improvements •Conduct Station Needs Assessments •Complete Project Identification, Evaluation, and Prioritization Long-term (5+ years) •Project Delivery and Policy Review 23 The Station Access Toolkit provides examples of actions to inform decision making that users of the Station Access Policy may select from when identifying possible access improvements. The Access Toolkit is comprised of actions organized into five categories: 1)Customer Experience 2)Active Transportation 3)Transit and Shuttles 4)Private Vehicles and Parking 5)Partnerships Station Access Toolkit Questions