California State Rail Plan 2007-08 to 2017-18

Chapter V – The California Passenger Rail NetworkCHAPTER VTHE CALIFORNIA RAIL NETWORKThis chapter describes the California rail network and the State’s responsibilityregarding this network. Figure 5A is a map of the intercity and commuter railpassenger systems in California, Figure 5B summarizes all of the intercity,commuter, and urban rail services in California, and Figure 5C is a summary ofintercity and commuter rail ridership in California from 1974-2006.RAIL SERVICES IN CALIFORNIAThe State rail system combines intercity, commuter, and freight rail. Intercity railincludes state-supported corridor routes and Amtrak long-distance routes.All three systems share the same infrastructure that is generally owned by privaterailroads, and in some cases, public entities. Because these systems share thesame infrastructure, joint planning and policy development increases theefficiency and effectiveness of the system, and help make infrastructuredevelopment and maintenance more cost effective. For this reason, this Planfocuses on these rail components of the larger transportation system in California.Amtrak funds and operates “basic system” long-distance (usually interstate) railroutes. Four long-distance routes operate in California (Coast Starlight,California Zephyr, Southwest Chief, and Sunset Limited). The State funds threeState-supported intercity rail routes. The Department administers thePacific Surfliners and San Joaquins and the CCJPA administers theCapitol Corridor. Amtrak operates these routes under contract with either theState or the CCJPA. Regional agencies fund and administer the four commuterrail systems in California (Caltrain, ACE, Metrolink, and Coaster).The freight rail system in California is primarily operated by two privately ownedClass I railroads: the Union Pacific Railroad (UP) and the BNSF Railway (BNSF).Also, one Class II regional railroad and 27 Class III shortline railroads operatefreight rail service in California.Amtrak’s long-distance routes are discussed in more detail later in this Chapter.The three State-supported intercity rail routes are discussed in Chapters VI, VII,and VIII and commuter rail services are discussed in Chapter IX. Freight rail isdiscussed in detail in Part II of this Plan (Chapters XII – XVII).77