RECEIVE update on the planned increase in passenger rail service along the coast corridor between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Progress since the last update on the coast rail project to this Committee in March includes a meeting of the Coast Rail Coordinating Council Policy Committee.

The Coast Rail service project construction and operation costs are still under evaluation.

The Coast Rail Coordinating Council (CRCC)  is a multi-agency advisory and planning organization focused on improving the rail corridor between Los Angeles and the San Francisco bay area along the California Central Coast. Members of Council include all regional transportation planning agencies along the Central Coast – all of which have a strong interest in improving rail service and the rail infrastructure along the Central Coast’s portion of the California Coast Passenger Rail Corridor.

The Policy Committee is scheduled to meet in San Luis Obispo on May 31 (after the deadline to finalize this report). The Committee will discuss Senate Bill 742 (Allen): Intercity passenger rail services: motor carrier transportation of passengers, which would enable non-rail passengers to buy a ticket on an Amtrak Thruway bus (see web attachment), and using the Rosenberg Rules of Order instead of the more complex Robert's Rules of Order. The next Policy meeting is scheduled for July 12. Staff to the member agencies convene regular technical working group phone calls.

Staff will provide a verbal update at the meeting.

• SB 742 (Allen)