RECEIVE update on the planned increase in passenger rail service along the coast corridor between San Francisco and Los Angeles and RECOMMEND Board adoption of the Coast Rail Coordinating Council Memorandum of Understanding.

Progress since the last update on the coast rail project to this Committee on September 11, 2017 includes meetings of the Coast Rail Coordinating Council Technical and Policy Committees.

The project costs are still under evaluation.

Coast Rail Coordinating Council

The CRCC Technical Committee met on September 14 and the Policy Committee met in San Luis Obispo on October 13. Discussion topics included next steps on SB 477 (Cannella), the bill to enable rail corridors to extend; new funding available for rail projects; the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU); and the State Rail Plan (see other item on this Committee's agenda). Staff will give a verbal update at the meeting.

The next Technical Committee meeting is scheduled for November 17 as a phone call, and the next Policy Committee is planned for January 19, 2018 in Santa Barbara or Ventura.

Memorandum of Understanding

Attachment 1 is the draft  CRCC MOU for consideration by this Committee. This MOU is a step toward formalizing the CRCC to better coordinate on the planning and funding of expanded passenger rail services along the Coast. Staff asks for comments from this Committee and a recommendation to the Board to adopt the MOU, pending any further comments from Agency counsel.