California State Rail Plan 2005-06 to 2015-16

Chapter IX – Commuter Rail Services
trains. In March 2001 a third train was inaugurated which gave ACE passengers
later departure options and eased overcrowding.
Funding for the operation and management of the ACE service is provided by
passenger fares, San Joaquin County Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality
(CMAQ) Federal grant funds, Measure K, Transportation Development Act
(TDA) funds, Federal and State grants, and operating support from the three
member agencies. Each member agency's annual share is based on the percentage
of total ACE daily boardings and alightings that occur in each county.
Cost sharing for capital projects, excluding stations, during the initial 36 months of
service was determined by the JPA on a case-by-case basis and approved by each
of the member agencies. Station improvements are the responsibility of the
member agency for the county in which the station is located.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The SJRRC is a Joint Powers Authority consisting of the County of San Joaquin
and the cities of Escalon, Lathrop, Lodi, Manteca, Ripon, Stockton, and Tracy.
The commission is governed by a Board of Directors which consists of six elected
officials appointed by the San Joaquin Council of Governments from nominations
by local agencies, and is supplemented by two elected officials appointed by the
ACCMA to address rail service issues affecting Alameda County. Ex-officio
members represent Caltrans, the San Joaquin Regional Transit District, and the
San Joaquin Council of Governments.
In July 2003, the SJRRC became the designated owner, operator and policymaking
body of the ACE service in accordance with the Cooperative Service
Agreement between the SJRRC, the ACCMA, and VTA, which superseded and
rescinded the prior 1997 agreement. As the designated owner of the ACE service,
the SJRRC took title to all of the assets and assumed the liabilities that were
previously under ownership of the ACE Joint Powers Authority, which was
dissolved.
The purpose of the Cooperative Services Agreement is to improve and expand the
ACE service and protect the interests of the three counties along the corridor.
As part of this agreement, the SJRRC is required to provide a baseline three-train
service to Santa Clara and Alameda Counties in return for a “capped”
contribution.
ROUTE AND SERVICE DESCRIPTION
ACE operates Monday through Friday over 85 miles of track, providing three
round-trips between Stockton and San Jose during morning and evening peak
periods. The running time between Stockton and San Jose is approximately
2 hours-18 minutes.
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