California State Rail Plan 2005-06 to 2015-16

2005-06 – 2015-16 California State Rail Plan
Urban rail transit systems in California do not share the same infrastructure with
intercity, commuter and freight rail. For this reason, as discussed above, planning
for these systems is not covered in this Plan. These systems include five different
light rail systems (Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, and
San Diego), BART, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Association
(LACMTA) Metro Rail Red Line, and San Francisco Municipal Railway Cable
Car. These systems are locally funded.
In order to further the implementation of a safe, integrated, multi-modal, worldclass
transportation system, it is essential that the intercity and commuter rail
systems be well integrated with the urban transit rail and bus systems. Thus the
State encourages local and regional planning agencies to share their ideas and
concerns regarding intercity rail service in their respective service areas.
And multi-modal integration and connectivity is discussed throughout this Plan.
THE STATE’S ROLE IN RAIL PASSENGER SERVICE
INTERCITY RAIL SERVICES
Intercity passenger rail service is a component of the State’s overall transportation
system and operates between several regions of the State. Service is provided
between metropolitan areas and to rural areas in the State. In California, Amtrak
currently operates all State-supported intercity rail service under the provisions of
the Federal Rail Passenger Service Act (49 U.S.C. 24101). All three intercity rail
routes were funded, planned and administered by the State until July 1998 when
the CCJPA assumed administration of the Capitol Corridor. The State continues
to fund the operation of the Capitol Corridor, and fund and administer the Pacific
Surfliner and San Joaquin Routes. For more information on Amtrak’s relationship
with the Department and the CCJPA in regards to operations funding see Chapter
XI. For more information on the intercity rail operations budget see Chapter III.
The State also pays for the majority of capital improvements to intercity rail
services. For detailed information on the intercity rail capital program see Chapter
II. For information on intercity rail funding sources see Chapter XII.
Figure 5D is a map of the three State-supported routes.
COMMUTER RAIL SERVICES
Commuter rail operates primarily within a single region of the Sate, serving
regional and local transportation needs. Because commuter rail services primarily
serve local and regional transportation needs, they are planned and administered
by local and regional transportation agencies. Various sources of funding are
available at the local, State, and Federal levels. Some capital funding is provided
by the State through the State Transportation Improvement Program, and other
sources, but operating funding is provided by the local and regional agencies.
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