RECEIVE update on the Monterey Bay Area Rail Network Integration Study and RECOMMEND the Board of Directors adopt the final 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 June includes finalizing of the Study for adoption.

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 will be the foundation for future applications for rail capital and operations grant funding.

The Monterey Bay Area Rail Network Integration 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 study is intended to provide information for the TAMC Rail Policy Committee to consider in recommendations to the TAMC Board of Directors as to next steps on implementing rail projects in Monterey County connecting to the Central Coast and the Northern California megaregion.

Staff and consultants will present the final Network integration Study, available on the project website (web attachment). Attached is the Executive Summary from the final Study.

• Monterey Bay Area Rail Network Integration Study website