Agenda Item # 6
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Date: |
April 27, 2005 |
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Committee Meeting Date: |
May 12, 2005 |
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Board Meeting Date: |
June 2, 2005 |
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ACTION
X
DISCUSSION
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| INFO
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BOARD MEMORANDUM
| TO: |
Technical Advisory Committee |
| | Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority |
| | Board of Directors |
| | | | THROUGH: | Peter M. Cipolla |
| | General Manager |
| | | | FROM: | Frank Sharpless |
| | Government Affairs Manager, State and Regional |
| | |
| SUBJECT: |
Altamont Commuter Express, FY 2005-06 and FY 2006-07 Budget Allocations |
RECOMMENDATION:
Review and recommend that the VTA Board of Directors approve VTA funding of Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) commuter rail service in the amount of $3.6 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2005-06 and $3.705 million in FY 2006-07.
BACKGROUND:
Since October 19, 1998 Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) commuter rail service has operated from Stockton to San Jose, via the Tri-Valley area of Alameda County. ACE service currently consists of three weekday morning trains originating in San Joaquin County providing service to Santa Clara County with stops at Great America, Santa Clara Caltrain and San Jose Diridon Stations. Three afternoon trains provide return trip service from San Jose. March 2005 ACE average daily ridership was 2,390.
In June 2003, VTA entered into a Cooperative Services Agreement with the Alameda County Congestion Management Agency and the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) for the provision of ACE service. Under the terms of his Agreement, VTA’s share of the ACE service operating budget is calculated as the FY 2003 contribution escalated annually by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
DISCUSSION:
The recommended VTA FY 2006 and FY 2007 ACE funding is composed of the VTA share of the direct ACE train operating subsidy and the total Santa Clara County ACE shuttle expenses.
SJRRC has not yet approved the FY 2006 ACE Budget, but has identified VTA’s FY 2006 share as $2.5 million for the direct train operating subsidy. This amount also funds ACE’s use of the San Jose Diridon and Santa Clara Caltrain stations. Based on an expected three percent CPI increase for 2007, the direct operating subsidy for FY 2007 is estimated at $2.575 million.
The recommended ACE funding also includes $1.1 million in FY 2006 and $1.3 million in FY 2007 for providing ACE shuttle service in Santa Clara County. This activity is totally reimbursable from outside sources including ACE, Transportation Fund for Clean Air grants and employer matches for certain shuttles. VTA staff manages this program and contracts with a private carrier to provide the service on ACE’s behalf.
ALTERNATIVES:
There are no practical alternatives to meet VTA funding requirements established in the ACE Cooperative Service Agreement and to continue funding ACE operations.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The FY 2006 and FY 2007 funding amounts recommended above are included in the VTA Recommended Budget for FY 2006 and FY 2007.
| Prepared by: | Frank Sharpless |
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