Coast Corridor Rail Project

1. RECEIVE update on the planned increase in passenger rail service along the coast corridor between San Francisco and Los Angeles; and
2. RECOMMEND the Board of Directors appoint representatives to the Coast Rail Coordinating Council Policy Committee.

The Transportation Agency Board previously appointed Mayor Dave Potter (RPC Vice Chair) and Mayor Mike LeBarre (RPC Chair) to the Coast Rail Coordinating Council, and Mayor Potter has been its Chair, for several years. Staff asks the RPC to consider recommending the Board reappoint both to the Council for 2022.

The Coast Rail project capital and operation costs are under evaluation. The Agency budget includes funding for Board member travel to Coast Rail Coordinating Council and associated meetings. In the near term, these meetings are expected to be virtual.

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 the 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.

In January 2021, the TAMC Board approved the Rail Policy Committee recommended appointment of Dave Potter as the TAMC representative and Mike LeBarre as the TAMC alternate for a one-year term, and the CRCC Policy Committee selected Mr. Potter as the Chair. The Rail Policy Committee is now asked to recommend appointments to the CRCC Policy Committee for the period ending January 2023. The appointment involves attending up to four meetings of the Committee and potentially representing the group at a legislative day in Sacramento with the Intercity Passenger Rail group and the California Passenger Rail Summit, should they occur in 2022.

The 2022 Policy Committee meeting schedule is tentatively as follows: February 18, May 20, August 19, and November 18. They will be virtual meetings until in-person meetings are once again permitted.