California State Rail Plan 2005-06 to 2015-16

2005-06 – 2015-16 California State Rail Plan
The Plan outlines the progress made in FFY 2003-04, including establishing a
transparent financial reporting system, implementing zero-based budgeting,
imposing strict headcount control measures, focusing on day-to-day passenger
operations, and on maintenance of plant and equipment. The Plan continues these
measures for the next five years. Challenges that Amtrak faced in FFY 2003-04
which are likely to continue include: 1) continuing deterioration in host railroads’
capacity and infrastructure, and 2) failures and delays attributed to deferred
investment in and reconstruction of Amtrak’s plant and equipment.
To support the existing system, the five-year Strategic Plan calls for Federal
funding averaging about $1.6 billion per year. The plan holds the line on Federal
support for operating purposes each year at $570 million. The majority of Federal
support is for capital improvements to the existing system and to bring facilities
and equipment up to a state-of-good-repair. The Plan reiterates current Federal
policy that Amtrak not initiate new train services unless the state or states served
pays the full operating loss. Amtrak continues to seek full state funding for
“direct” operating losses on existing state-supported trains.
California Capital Funding
Although the Plan is primarily directed to preserve and improve Amtrak-owned
assets in the Northeast Corridor, it also proposes funding for several projects in
California. It includes $90.1 million for projects which impact California, of
which $41.5 million is for projects wholly in California and $48.6 million is for
multi-state projects that partially impact California. Key projects in California
include: Phase II of the new maintenance facility in Oakland that was completed
in September 2004 and fully operational in December 2004; overhauls of
Pacific Surfliner equipment; and basic repairs of Amtrak-owned equipment
maintenance facilities in Los Angeles. The actual level of funding for the projects
is dependent on Congressional appropriations during the period of the Plan.
Figure 11A lists the California related projects included in the Amtrak
Strategic Plan.
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