SCMTD February 2004 Board of Directors Agendas - Santa Cruz ...

Board of Directors
Board Meeting of February 27, 2004
Page 3
Representatives of Caltrans, the CCJPA, the VTA, Amtrak, and METRO have been meeting for
over two years in an attempt to evaluate the feasibility of consolidating the Highway 17 Express
bus service and the Amtrak Connector service. Originally the agency representatives met to
discuss the impact of the passage of SB 804 by the California State Legislature that required all
individuals using the Amtrak Connector buses to make a rail connection as a part of their trip. In
Santa Cruz this requirement forced passengers using the bus service from Metro Center (Pacific
Station) to purchase a connecting rail ticket in order to use the service. With METRO service
operating out of Scotts Valley on weekdays and not operating on weekends and holidays, the
Connector service was the only means for public transit passengers to conveniently access San
Jose. Greyhound service was available but only operated four trips per day to San Jose. The
requirement to purchase a connecting rail ticket was particularly burdensome on passengers with
disabilities, as they could not use the Greyhound alternative due to the fact that the buses
operated by Greyhound were not equipped with wheelchair lifts. Senator McPherson
successfully sponsored legislation that deferred the rail connection requirement for people with
disabilities on the San Jose/Santa Cruz route while the discussions of service consolidation took
place. However, that deferral has now expired and all passengers using the Amtrak Connector
service must purchase the connecting rail ticket. The connecting rail requirement does not apply
to a public transit operator who is providing the service within their service boundaries. As the
Highway 17 Express is operated under a Joint Powers Authority Agreement, the service area for
this route is Santa Cruz and Santa Clara Counties.
As a result of the meetings that have taken place among the agency representatives identified in
this Staff Report, a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the funding parties is
being developed. The MOU will provide for the consolidation of the Highway 17 Express
service and the Amtrak Connector service effective April 26, 2004. The newly consolidated
service would operate 365 days a year with service from Santa Cruz Pacific Station to San Jose
Diridon Station. Under the proposed MOU the cost to expand the Highway 17 Express service to
assume the service responsibilities of the Amtrak Connector service would be paid by Caltrans
through the CCJPA. Passenger fares attributable to the expanded service increments would be
credited toward the amounts due each month from Caltrans and the CCJPA. It is anticipated that
the annual cost for the expanded service increment will be $330,000. As the consolidated service
is classified as a new experimental service, the Caltrans “break even” requirement will not be
applied until the third year of operation of the service.
Currently METRO charges a cash fare of $3.00 each way for the Highway 17 Express service.
Amtrak charges $6.00 each way for the Connector service. In order to achieve a simple fare
structure for the consolidated service, staff recommends that the Board consider establishing a
uniform cash fare of $4.00 each way. Adoption of a new Fare Ordinance for this change would
be required. Adjustments to the pass charges would also be appropriate as a part of a change in
the fares for the new service.
There are benefits to the consolidation of the two services for all of the participating agencies
and, most importantly, for the riders of the system. For Caltrans, the CCJPA, and Amtrak the
consolidation provides a more secure future for the service. For the VTA and METRO it allows