Resolution 4271 - Laserfiche WebLink

RESOLUTION NO. 4271 A RESOLUTION recommending amendments to the Regional Transit Authority's (RTA's) Revised Draft Phase One Plan regarding proposed north corridor commuter rail service. Whereas,the north corridor commuter rail program cost has been reduced since the RTA's "Hypothetical Plan" but the City still has reservations about its implementation due to its cost effectiveness; and Whereas,this cost effectiveness is based on the projected ridership(2,400 to 3,200 daily weekday boardings in the year 2010) and total cost to be borne by the RTA ($132 million); and Whereas,this cost effectiveness translates to an ongoing subsidy per trip for the north corridor commuter rail service of between $5.86 to $8.85 (compared to $1.98 for regional bus service); and Whereas,there are multiple beneficiaries of commuter rail infrastructure improvements on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe(BNSF) rail line; and Whereas,these beneficiaries should financially contribute to the commuter rail line infrastructure improvements; and Whereas, there exists a potential of securing funding partners to help offset part of the RTA proposed investment in north corridor commuter rail service which can help improve its overall cost effectiveness; and Whereas, RTA ridership forecasts and cost estimates may be conservative as reviewed by the Washington State appointed Expert Review Panel; and Whereas, an analysis sponsored by the Sno-Tran in 1993 suggested that the ridership forecast for the north corridor commuter rail segment may be underestimated; and Whereas,correspondence dated April 10, 1996 from Mr. Robert Krebs, President and Chief Executive Officer of the BNSF Corporation to Mr. Robert Drewel, Chairman of the Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority indicated a desire to continue discussions regarding the possibility of implementing commuter rail service on BNSF tracks; and Whereas,the RTA Board adopted motion Number 14 on May 10, 1996 directing the RTA staff to engage in discussions and planning activities with Amtrak and the Washington State Department of Transportation to determine the potential for partnerships for reducing and sharing costs through the establishment of a joint maintenance facility, which could reduce the cost of north corridor commuter rail service; and Whereas, insufficient time exists between the adoption of a final phase one plan by the RTA Board and the anticipated November 1996 vote on the phase one plan to negotiate and finalize potential agreements to reduce the cost of north corridor commuter rail service; and Whereas,given the potential for cost reductions and higher than projected ridership which could make north corridor commuter rail service a more cost effective investment than presently exists;