HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - May 6, 1998 (65)AGENDA TITLE: Letter of Support for San Joaquin Train Between Bakersfield and Sacramento
MEETING DATE: May 6, 1998
PREPARED BY: Public Works Director
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the attached letter of support
for an additional fifth train service between Bakersfield and Sacramento.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: At the March 12 meeting of the San Joaquin Rail Task Force, the
Caltans Rail Division staff announced that the planned start-up of a
fifth San Joaquin frequency serving the Sacramento -Bakersfield
corridor with a stop in Lodi, originally scheduled for late 1998, might
be delayed a year. The San Joaquin rail service has seen significant increases in ridership over the last
several years due in part to faster service, new equipment, and better bus connections. The Governor
has included money in the fiscal year 1998199 budget to operate this additional service. Not taking
advantage of this funding could send a message to the next Governor that this service has a low priority.
Funding: Not applicable.
Richard C. Prima, Jr.
Public Works Director
Prepared by Carlos Tobar, Transportation Manager
RCP/CFT/Im
Attachment
APPROVED:
H. Dixon lynn -- City M ger a
CLTRSUPPRT.DOC � 04/27!88
CITY COUNCIL
JACK A. SIEGLOCK, Mayor
KEITH LAND
Mayor Pro Tempore
ROBERT J. JOHNSON
STEPHEN J. MANN
PHILLIP A. PENNINO
State Rail Program
P. O. Box 942874
Sacramento, CA 94274
CITY OF LODI
CITY HALL. 221 WEST PINE STREET
P.O. BOX 3006
LODI, CALIFORNIA 95241-1910
(209)333-6706
FAX (209) 333-6710
May 6, 1998
SUBJECT: Support of Fifth San Joaquin Train
H. DIXON FLYNN
City Manager
ALICE M. REIMCHE
City Clerk
RANDALL A. HAYS
City Attorney
The City of Lodi strongly encourages the State Rail Program to continue planning for the fifth
San Joaquin train which will provide additional service between Sacramento and Bakersfield.
Lodi has been doing its part awaiting the promised train service to our city. Lodi is in the
final design and engineering stage for the restoration of the old historic Southern Pacific
station, a $4,000,000 project. The restored station will serve as the cornerstone of the
revitalized Downtown, and as the transit hub.
The motivation behind the restoration and the push for train service in Lodi has been the
faster service, new equipment, and better bus connections that have increased the
ridership on the San Joaquin rail service. Lodi will only add to those ridership numbers
once the train service is available.
We urge the State Rail Program to fulfill the promise it has made to the residents of the
San Joaquin Valley and to utilize the funds the Governor has earmarked in fiscal year
1998/99 for the additional fifth San Joaquin train.
Sincerely,
0
ack A. Sieglock
ayor
JAS/CFTIIm
cc: City Council Members
City Manager
Transportation Manager
San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission
LSTRAILPRGM.DOC