California State Rail Plan 2007-08 to 2017-18

Chapter VII – San Joaquin Routeentire BNSF main line in the San Joaquin Valley may need to be double-tracked,but that is a long term goal extending well beyond the next ten years.(See Chapter II, for additional information about capital projects.)In FFY 2000-01, OTP was 67 percent, and in FFY 2001-02 OTP rose to78 percent as the result of extensive track projects discussed above. However,OTP between FFY 2002-03 and 2004-05 averaged 59 percent. Reduced OTP hasbeen to a large extent the result of increased freight traffic causing congestion.Also necessary track maintenance in the form of winter track blitzes hasnegatively impacted OTP in the last few years. However OTP for FFY 2006-07year-to-date (October 2007- June 2007) is up to 68 percent, partly as the result ofthe completion of the Shirley-Hanford double-track project in April 2006 and theCalwa-Bowles double-track project in January 2007 for a total of approximately15 miles of new double track.STREAMLINED OPERATIONS AND PASSENGER AMENITIESThe Department is working to streamline operations and improve passengeramenities. Due to emerging technology related to wireless networking,possibilities exist that previously would have been very costly or not available.Improvements that are dependant upon a comprehensive wireless system arediscussed below as longer-term improvements. However, other plannedimprovements are feasible in the near term that either are not related to newtechnology or can be implemented with technology that is currently available anddoes not involve development of a comprehensive wireless system. Theseimprovements are discussed below as near-term improvements.Near-Term ImprovementsPremium Class Service - Many corridor routes in the Amtrak system, includingthe Pacific Surfliners in Southern California, offer a premium class (extra fare)coach service, with special amenities for the passengers. This type of service isvery popular and is a source of extra revenue. The San Joaquins offered such aservice briefly in the late 1980’s, but it was not as successful as anticipated.The Department is currently conducting a study of reintroducing “Business Class”(as such service is currently identified) to the San Joaquins. Current demandprojections are being developed, and ways to accommodate the service using thepresent equipment are being explored. If it proves feasible, premium service couldbe offered in the near future.New Fresno Terminal - One significant market that is not well served by thepresent schedule structure is between the southern half of the San Joaquin Valleyand Southern California. Fresno is the largest urban area in the Valley and themost significant intermediate market area on the route. Yet, the earliest departurefrom Fresno to Southern California is not until almost ten in the morning, becausethe equipment for that departure has to originate in Sacramento, over three hoursto the north. Similarly, because the equipment has to continue on to Sacramento,107