The Coast Rail Coordinating Council 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 working group held calls on August 9 and September 26. The Policy group held a phone meeting on August 16. The next working group call is scheduled for November 15 and the next Policy meeting is expected to be a phone meeting on November 8, followed by an in-person meeting in Ventura on December 13.
Both the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) and the City of King are preparing to publish requests for proposals for the work funded through State Rail Assistance and Strategic Partnership funds. SLOCOG is heading up a Coast Rail Service Implementation Plan and an equipment study. The City of King is doing planning and environmental work related to a station in King City.
Senate Bill (SB) 742 by Senator Allen, "Intercity passenger rail services: motor carrier transportation of passengers" was passed by the Assembly on September 10 and the Senate on September 11 and enrolled to the Governor on September 19. If signed into law, this measure will allow passengers to buy a ticket to ride the Amtrak Thruway bus network without a rail ticket. This will help rural communities that have limited bus service by opening up a new mode of transportation.
Caltrans published the draft Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program grant guidelines (web attachment) on September 13. Comments are due October 15. The final guidelines/call for projects are scheduled to be published by October 18 with an application deadline of January 16, 2020.
Staff will provide a verbal update at the meeting.