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.
The Network Advisory Committee (NAC) met on August 31, 2020, and discussed the preliminary survey findings, the final future service vision memo, bus connections for ridership modeling, and the draft governance and operations memo.
The public survey was published on June 2, 2020 and closed on September 15, 2020. As of September 15, a total of 800 people took the survey, with results showing generally positive interest in rail service on the Central Coast.
The following deliverables are online as web attachments:
- Final Future Service Vision Memo
- Outlines the vision for the initial, phased, and full buildout of the regional and intercity rail network.
- Shows that implementation can be accomplished using the existing rail infrastructure with focused investment near or at station locations.
- Draft Governance & Operations Memo
- Describes the administrative, jurisdictional, contracting, and funding powers needed to scale and deliver the Monterey Bay Regional Rail Network.
- Explores existing models (Joint Powers Authorities, transit districts, and joint ventures between existing or new agencies).
- Considers how needs change over time, starting with the initial service, phased service, and finally the vision service.
Future deliverables expected for the November Committee meeting:
- Draft Fleet Strategies Memo
- Draft Cost Estimate Memo
- Draft Ridership Estimates Memo
The team will present an update on work completed to date and solicit input on the Governance and Operations memo at the meeting.