California State Rail Plan 2005-06 to 2015-16

2005-06 – 2015-16 California State Rail Plan
TEN-YEAR OPERATIONAL AND SERVICE IMPROVEMENT
PLANS
ON-TIME PERFORMANCE
The Department’s goal is to increase OTP to 90 percent by the end of the Plan
period. This goal is based on the full implementation of the unconstrained capital
program described in Chapter II. Increased OTP provides improved service
reliability and faster running times. Since 2001-02 OTP has been about
87 percent, due to the completion of key capital projects and an improved
preventative maintenance program for locomotives. However, two factors caused
the OTP to fall to 72.9 percent in 2004-05. First, serious winter storms damaged
track – interrupting and delaying service. Second, there has been a significant
increase in freight traffic and in the length of freight trains. OTP has been
severely affected by the increase in freight traffic, particularly from Los Angeles
to San Luis Obispo, where it is almost entirely single track and many sidings are
not long enough to accommodate the new longer freight trains.
In the near term, the completion of on-going track projects will somewhat improve
OTP. Further into the ten-year period, projects on the north end to add sidings,
increase the length of existing sidings, and upgrade the signaling system will
improve OTP. The LAUS Run-Through Track project also will improve OTP.
Additionally, the Department will work with the UP, BNSF, Metrolink, and
Amtrak to identify and implement measures to enhance schedule reliability.
PASSENGER SAFETY, COMFORT, CONVENIENCE, AND
INFORMATION
In the short-term the Department has a number of projects to improve passenger
amenities, including improved: real-time signage at stations and on board, food
service, and electronic passenger information. The Department will continue to
explore the latest technology to improve passenger safety, comfort, convenience,
and information.
INTERMODAL CONNECTIVITY
The next phase in intermodal connectivity between the Pacific Surfliners and
Metrolink and Coaster is cross-ticketing and improved schedule coordination.
“Next-generation” ticket vending machines are planned to be in the initial stages
of operation by 2006. These machines will allow the purchase of a ticket for a
combined Amtrak/Metrolink rail trip. The program is also planned to be expanded
to the Coaster. Once the machines are in operation, schedules will be further
coordinated and joint trip destinations will be marketed.
In 2005, the Department initiated a program on the Pacific Surfliners where
conductors offer free transfers to participating transit services. Currently SLO
Transit, Regional Transit Authority, South County Area Transit, and Guadalupe
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