California State Rail Plan 2005-06 to 2015-16

2005-06 – 2015-16 California State Rail Plan
ACE COMMUTER RAIL SERVICE
(STOCKTON-SAN JOSE)
PRINCIPAL 2005-06 to 2015-16 ROUTE OBJECTIVES
• Continue service improvements.
• Improve on-time performance.
• Increase ridership on existing routes.
• Improve service coordination with other service providers such as
BART, Caltrain, Capital Corridor, and shuttle service providers.
• Acquire ROW, perform engineering work, and begin construction of rail
maintenance and layover facility in San Joaquin County.
• Purchase passenger rail cars and locomotive for fourth train.
• Upgrade signal system between Stockton and Fremont.
• Replace ties between Niles Junction and Santa Clara.
• Upgrade diamond at Lyoth and replace switch at Hunter Street.
• Upgrade passenger cars and locomotives.
• Evaluate potential extensions and new services in the Central Valley.
BACKGROUND
In 1989, the San Joaquin Council of Governments, the Stockton Chamber of
Commerce and the Building Industry Association of the Delta began the
development of a 20-year transportation plan for a future sales tax vote in
San Joaquin County. Measure K, the half-cent sales tax for transportation, was
strongly supported by voters in 1990, and the number one project identified for
funding was Altamont passenger rail service. In 1995, the seven cities and
San Joaquin County formed a joint powers agreement that created the San Joaquin
Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) to implement the rail plan and to explore
agreements with the counties of Santa Clara and Alameda. This created a
five-member board of directors appointed by the San Joaquin Council of
Governments. San Joaquin County has contributed over $40 million in Measure K
funding for Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) rail service.
In May 1997, SJRRC, the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency
(ACCMA), and VTA executed an agreement to create the Altamont Commuter
Express Joint Powers Authority (JPA). The JPA agreement identified the SJRRC
as the managing agency for the ACE service, overseeing the day-to-day
management, planning, and support services necessary to operate the trains.
The SJRRC issued a contract for operations and maintenance of equipment to
Herzog Transit Services, Inc., and service began on October 19, 1998.
Initially there were two westbound morning trains and two eastbound evening
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