California State Rail Plan 2005-06 to 2015-16

2005-06 – 2015-16 California State Rail Plan
operation. This program continues to be very popular, and the Department
continues to make refinements to it to make it more user-friendly and costeffective.
Senior Travel Program - In January 2004, the Department began a new senior
group travel program on the San Joaquins (“All Aboard Seniors!”) patterned after
the “Kids ‘N Trains” program. In 2005, 15 trips accounted for 1,000 boardings to
a variety of destinations, showing a positive response to the program. For 2006,
plans have been developed to partner with Merced County Transit to offer
expanded destinations. Similar partnerships will be explored in future years.
Student Travel Program – In the fall of 2005, the Department and Amtrak
launched a trial college student discount program. The discount program provides
a 20 percent discount to students who show a student card from selected colleges.
Like most other discounts on Amtrak, a minimum three-day advance purchase and
blackout days apply. In 2004, the Department had conducted market research that
showed (1) a strong market of potential student riders, and (2) students desire a
simple and straightforward discount program. The program launched in 2005 was
based on the results of the prior market research.
On the San Joaquins, students from Fresno City College, California State
University, Fresno, and the new University of California at Merced, are now
eligible for the student discount. On the Pacific Surfliners, students from
California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo are eligible for the
student discount. The discount program was widely promoted in the fall of 2005
with new student orientation materials, campus information booths, and in
collaboration with university officials. Fall 2005 ridership (September-December
2005) yielded over 800 passengers and almost $14,000 in revenue.
Additional universities under consideration for possible expansion of the program
are California State Universities in Bakersfield, San Diego and Turlock;
University of California campuses in Santa Barbara and Irvine; and the University
of the Pacific in Stockton.
RAIL SAFETY
Rail passenger service expansion in California has meant significantly increased
traffic along largely privately owned railroad tracks. To help ensure that the
increase occurs without a corresponding increase in hazard, the Department
budgets $70,000 annually toward rail safety information and education programs.
These dollars are used to place warning signs near schools adjacent to railroad
tracks; to develop safety programs designed to educate Californians on the dangers
of trespassing on rail ROW and ignoring grade crossing warning devices; and to
conduct public service advertising campaigns on these subjects. The CCJPA also
participates in safety activities with the Department.
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