RECEIVE update on the Monterey Bay Area Rail Network Integration Study.

The study will lay the groundwork for implementing the State Rail Plan in the Monterey Bay Area. Progress on the study since the last report to this Committee in May includes stakeholder outreach.

The study has a budget of $500,000, funded out of the state Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program: $350,000 for consultant costs and $150,000 for staff and in-house costs.

The study focuses on determining the optimal options for: rail connectivity and operations, equipment needs, governance, and community benefits for service between Monterey County and Santa Clara County, Monterey and Santa Cruz, and the Coast Rail Corridor. This study will also assist TAMC by providing the data needed to prepare grant applications for funding new stations at Pajaro/Watsonville, Castroville, Soledad and King City. 

In May, staff held several stakeholder videoconference meetings to answer questions and solicit feedback on the study from entities not participating in the Network Advisory Committee quarterly meetings. Stakeholders consulted to date include:

• Alliance on Aging
• Fort Hunter Liggett
• LandWatch Monterey County
• Monterey Peninsula College
• Vintners & Growers Association

The public survey is scheduled to go live on June 1, 2020. You can access the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/tamcrail.