Commuter Rail Extension Alternatives Analysis - Transportation ...

CALTRAIN EXTENSION TO MONTEREY COUNTYALTERNATIVES ANALYSISCHAPTER 3: DETAILED DEFINITION OF ALTERNATIVESChapter 1 of this document summarized the alternative definition and shortlisting process followed bythe Monterey County Fixed Guideway [Alternatives Analysis] Study.As a result of public involvement, city input, and The Transportation Agency for Monterey County(TAMC) policy review, four alternatives emerged for further refinement and testing. These fouralternatives, labeled A through D, are listed below and are summarized in Table 3-1.A. Local Monterey Peninsula bus rapid transit service and Caltrain commuter rail service fromSan Francisco to Salinas.B. Local Monterey Peninsula bus rapid transit service with future transition to light rail service;direct intercity rail service from the City of Monterey to San Francisco; and Caltrain commuterrail service from San Francisco to Salinas.C. Local Monterey Peninsula light rail service and Caltrain commuter rail service from SanFrancisco to Salinas.D. Transportation Systems Management (TSM) enhanced local bus service and express busservice between Monterey County and Santa Clara, San Mateo and San Francisco counties.Common to all Build Alternatives (A, B and C) is the extension of Caltrain service to MontereyCounty. This commonality reflects the conscious decision on the part of the TAMC Rail PolicyCommittee to exclude from further consideration any Build Alternative which did not include theextension of Caltrain service from Gilroy to Salinas.This commitment to the Caltrain extension is further reflected by the TAMC Board policy.The Final 2005 Monterey County Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) identifies the Caltraincommuterrail extension to Salinas as part of its planned new passenger rail services. The RTPstates, "TAMC plans to extend the existing Caltrain commuter rail service (between San Franciscoand Gilroy) south to Salinas. The extension will include three new station stops: Pajaro, Castroville,and Salinas. At its inception, the service would consist of two round trips per day running from Salinasto San Francisco and will be increased to four or more round trips as demand warrants, probablywithin 10 years from start of service."The purpose of this chapter is to define the Caltrain Extension (Build) Alternative and Express Bus(TSM) Alternative, along with the No Build Alternative.DEFINITION OF THE NO BUILD ALTERNATIVEThe purpose of the Caltrain extension to Monterey County is to provide an alternative means ofcommuter travel between Monterey County and southern Santa Cruz County to the San FranciscoBay Area. The Caltrain extension is expected to lower congestion/increase capacity in the U.S. 101Corridor and provide increased access to job opportunities and educational resources within SiliconValley and along the San Francisco Peninsula. It will additionally provide transportation alternativesfor senior citizens and those with physical disabilities.Addressing transportation needs in the U.S. 101 Corridor is TAMC’s top regional priority.parsons CHAPTER 3: DETAILED DEFINITION OF ALTERNATIVES 47