RECEIVE update from Caltrain Director of Strategy and Policy on next steps in the operations discussions for the Salinas Rail extension project.

Caltrain Director of Strategy and Policy Sam Sargent will provide a verbal update on the Joint Powers Board (JPB) direction related to developing a Memorandum of Understanding for the extension of operations from Gilroy to Salinas.

The capital cost of the Monterey County Rail Extension project, Phase 1, Salinas Kick Start project (the Salinas station and improvements in Santa Clara County), is estimated at $81 million. The Kick Start project is proceeding with secured state funding under the adopted state environmental clearance. Operating costs are under evaluation between Caltrain and Caltrans. Operations and maintenance costs are currently assumed to be covered by state and federal rail operations funds.

The Monterey County Rail Extension Project will extend passenger rail service from Santa Clara County south to Salinas. TAMC is pursuing a phased implementation of the Project. Phase 1, known as the Kick Start Project, includes Salinas train station circulation improvements, a train layover facility in Salinas, and track improvements at the Gilroy station and between Salinas and Gilroy. The Kick Start Project has wrapped up construction of Package 1, improvements at the Salinas train station. The layover facility (Package 2) and track improvements (Package 3) are now in final design.

TAMC and Caltrain have been holding regular meetings to discuss the strategy for implementing operations on the corridor. Caltrain developed a feasibility study (attachment 1) that was finalized on April 27, 2020. In January 2021, Caltrans developed a scope of work for the Central Coast Service Deployment Playbook (attachment 2). Sam Sargent started at Caltrain in July 2022 as the Director of Strategy and Policy, and has been designated as the staff point person for pursuing the next steps in operations discussions. He will present a verbal update to the Committee, including a report on the presentation of the TAMC letter (attachment 3) to the JPB on September 1, 2022.