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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-1999-036 FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR RAIL PASSENGER SERVICE FOR EASTERN WASHINGTON.RESOLUTION NO. R-99- 36 A RESOLUTION supporting feasibility study for rail passenger service for Eastern Washington. WHEREAS, a study conducted by, or through, the State Department of Transportation concerning the possibility of State-sponsored, Amtrak -operated modern rail passenger trains running at convenient times between Seattle and Spokane on the BNSF mainline via Yakima and the BNSF mainline via Wenatchee, with connecting bus service to cities not on the mainline, and with convenient rail services to Yakima, would be beneficial to the people of Yakima; and, WHEREAS, the Washington State Legislature is considering funding in the Washington Department of Transportation Rail Office budget a study of the feasibility of east -west passenger rail service to Eastern; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF YAKIMA: The City Council of the City of Yakima urges that the State of Washington fund such feasibility study and that the Department of Transportation conduct such a feasibility study as soon as practicable, and as part of such study bring to Eastern Washington Talgo trains for the purposes of testing and demonstration. ADOPTED BY THE cnY COUNCIL this • day of April ,1999. ATTEST: City Clerk (file share)City Council/resolution template ohn Puccinelli, Mayor City of Yakima 129 North Second Street Yakima, WA 98901 JAMES OTIS NEAL Attomey at Law P. O. Box 1061 Ephrata, WA 98823 (509) 754-3114 February 4, 1999 Attn: Mr. Vaughn McBride and Mr. Zais Ladies and Gentlemen: Ak 1 I,: r 6 is99 1, OFFICE OF CITY MANA,G711' On February 1, 1999, I talked by telephone with Mr. McBride about the possibility of a feasibility study for modem rail passenger service for Eastem Washington. Also, on that date I faxed to Mr. McBride a letter with some enclosures similar to this. As you know, we are seeking a feasibility study by the State Department of Transportation about such a rail service. To date, Resolutions of support have been adopted by the City Councils of: Cle Elum, Ellensburg, Toppenish, Prosser, Kennewick, Pasco, Ritzville, Harrington, Ephrata, Quincy, East Wenatchee, Wenatchee, and Leavenworth; and by the Chambers of Commerce of: Leavenworth, Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Ephrata, and Cheney. I expect more Resolutions and letters of support. I enclose a copy of a letter from Mr. Ken Uznanski, Jr., Manager of the Rail Office of the State of Washington Department of Transportation. This is good news. I read Mr. Uznanski's letter to say: (1) the Department of Transportation has the legal authority to make the study; and (2) their proposed budget for the next biennium contains money for the study; and (3) assuming the necessary funding is approved, they will make the study; and (4) they will welcome our suggestions about the study. We, of course, would want the legislature to approve the necessary item of funding in the DOT budget for the proposed study. I also enclose a revised Resolution for the Council of the City of Yakima. It would be helpful for Eastern Washington, and much appreciated, if this could be promptly submitted to the Yakima City Council. Sincerely, J. O. Neal enclosures WiaWashington State Department of Transportation Sid Morrison Secretary of Transportation James Otis Neal PO Box 1061 Ephrata, WA 98823-1061 Dear Mr. Neal: Transportation Building P 0 Box 47300 Olympia, WA 98504-7300 January 8, 1999 Thank you for your considerable efforts in working with communities to develop interest for the intensive study of east -west rail passenger issues in Washington. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Rail Office is responsible for the planning and implementation of statewide rail programs. As we discussed when you visited our office on December 28, the Rail Office agrees with you that it is time to take a fresh look at east -west rail issues. The last comprehensive analytical work concerning east -west rail passenger and freight movements was performed approximately 4 years ago. The reopening of Stampede Pass, changes in freight movements, increased highway congestion, the introduction of new technology such as Talgo trains, and a growing interest in intercity rail passenger service clearly indicate that it is time for additional analysis of east -west rail issues. The Washington Transportation Plan (WTP), our Department's policy blueprint, clearly indicates that the Department will "assist local jurisdictions and Amtrak to determine the viability of additional rail passenger service between Seattle and Spokane and between Portland and Spokane." Consistent with the WTP, the efforts of you and your constituents, and in order to address the changing transportation environment, the Rail Office is prepared to perform an intensive review of east -west rail issues as part of our work plan for the upcoming 1999-2001 biennium. We will perform this work as part of our normal planning activities from our internal budget. The Rail Office would welcome your suggestions as we develop the scope of work for these efforts this summer. We would also appreciate your periodic feedback on work elements as appropriate. Again, thank you for your work to develop support for the study of these important issues. Sincerely, )11 NNETH M. UZN • SSKI, JR. Manager, Rail Office JAMES OTIS NEAL Attorney at Law P. 0. Box 1061 Ephrata, WA 98823 (509) 754-3114 MODERN RAIL PASSENGER SERVICE FOR EASTERN WASHINGTON The rail passenger service in Western Washington has been greatly improved due to a number of factors including the vision and good judgement of the State Department of Transportation, the financial outlays by the Washington legislature, and the modern Talgo passenger trains. Our Eastern Washington Amtrak rail passenger service is inconvenient and slow and, in my view, not an alternative to the automobile. The best average speed with conventional passenger equipment between Seattle and Spokane over the former NP mainline and over the former GN mainline is about 45.50 mph. At this average speed, the best running time between Seattle and Spokane via Wenatchee is 7.20 hours and via Yakima 8.70 hours. The best freeway driving time under ideal conditions and complying with the speed limit between Pasco and Seattle is about 3.20 hours and between Spokane and Seattle is about 4.10 hours. Nevertheless, for many automobile travellers, even under good conditions, the total trip time is probably about 4.20 hours between Pasco and Seattle and between Spokane and Seattle is about 5.10 hours. The Talgo company says that the Talgo trains can reduce running times possibly to as much as 80 percent of the conventional time. If the Talgo equipment could reduce the running time to 83 percent, the running time for a Talgo train would be about 6.00 hours between Spokane Wenatchee and Seattle and about 5.00 hours between Pasco Yakima and Seattle. For better answers we need a feasibility study that would include bringing Talgo equipment to Eastern Washington for testing and demonstration. There are 500,000 people in Greater Spokane, 430,000 in the Yakima River valley, including Pasco and 200,000 in North Central Washington of which Wenatchee is the central city. There are about 20,000 people traveling each day by automobile between Eastern and Western Washington and the highways are congested from Ellensburg and Leavenworth west. If fast passenger trains would mitigate highway congestion, the public interest would be served. Last summer my wife and I conferred with the mayors, city managers, and city clerks of 17 cities in Eastern Washington that could have direct rail passenger service and three more cities that would have indirect rail service. We also conferred with many officers of chambers of commerce within these cities. We found that everyone we talked with was cordial and quite interested. To date, 13 city councils and 5 chambers of commerce have adopted resolutions or statements of support; and more are expected. The manager of the rail office of the State DOT has said (1) that the DOT has the authority by law to make the study, (2) that the Department's proposed budget for the next biennium includes money for this study and, (3) that if the DOT rail budget is approved by the legislature, the Department will make the study and, (4) the rail office would welcome input from Eastern Washington people about the possibility of rail passenger service in Eastern Washington. Thus, there is hope for good passenger trains for Eastern Washington. James Otis Neal 2-15-99 1 The prescribed salary and insurance benefit increase or decrease 2 dollar amount that shall be allocated from the governor's compensation 3 appropriations is in addition to the appropriation contained in this 4 section and may be used to increase or decrease compensation costs, 5 effective July 1, 1999, and thereafter, as established in the 1999-2001 6 general fund operating budget. 7 NEW SECTION. Sec. 227. FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION -- 8 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND RAIL --PROGRAM Y 9 Essential Rail Assistance Account -- 7n State Appropriation $ 85,000 11 High Capacity Transportation Account -- 12 State Appropriation $ 16,789,000 13 Air Pollution Control Account --State Appropriation $ 5,711,000 14 Transportation Account --State Appropriation $ 117,494,000 15 Transportation Account --Federal Appropriation . . $ 2,445,000 16 Transportation Account--Private/Local Appropriation $ 105,000 17 TOTAL APPROPRIATION $ 142,629,000 18 The appropriations in this section are subject to the following 19 conditions and limitations and specified amounts are provided solely 20 for that activity: 21 (1) Up to $3,500,000 of the transportation account --state 22 appropriation is provided for the rural mobility program administered 23 by the department of transportation. Priority for grants provided from 24 this account shall be given to projects and programs that can be 25 accomplished in the 1999-2001 biennium. 26 (2) Up to $1,000,000 of the transportation account --state 27 appropriation is provided for grants that fund activities relating to 28 coordinating special needs transportation among state and local 29 providers. When selecting grant recipients, the agency council on 30 coordinated transportation shall give priority to projects and programs 31 that can be accomplished in the 1999-2001 biennium. 32 NEW SECTION. Sec. 228. FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION -- 33 LOCAL PROGRAMS --PROGRAM Z 34 Motor Vehicle Account --State Appropriation $ 39,001,000 35 Motor Vehicle Account --Federal Appropriation . $ 3,219,000 36 TOTAL APPROPRIATION . . . . . $ 42,220,000 7/Qq --- gfpiion NEW LOCOMOTIVES ARRIVE SOON t wring the past several months new General Motors F59 locomotives were placed into service to power trains throughout California. This fall five new locomotives, painted to match the Amtrak Cascades' green and white scheme, will debut in the Pacific Northwest. The improved, state -o1 -the -art locomotives feature computer -controlled fuel injection systems and specially designed cabs to protect operating crew members from noise and vibration. They also produce lower emissions than current locomotives used on the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor. They are capable of speeds up to 110 mph and are more fuel efficient than the F40's they replace. /7J7/4tomzection GM's F59 locomotives will arrive in Washington later this month. AMTRAK CASCADES: A NEW ERA BEGINS CONT. Leased Talgo trains currently reduce travel times between Seattle and Portland by over 25 minutes. Amtrak Cascades service will maintain this travel time reduction and set the stage for additional schedule improvements Washington, Oregon, Amtrak, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, and the Union Pacific Railroad are conducting an ongoing effort to improve tracks, crossings, and safety systems. As these projects are completed in the next 20_vcars_ trdt RAIL COSTS LESS THAN AIR OR AUTO TRAVEL recently relcaud 14'SI)0 I study computed financial and societal cost~ of operating intercity an. auto and rail travel The study concluded that intcrut\ passenger rail service currently costs Washinvion residents approximately 10 to 14 cents less per passenger mile than auto or air travel In addition, this report confirmed that last, frectucnl Intel:en\ rut New trains rolled out - tested - taken for inaugural runs New custom-built trains that will serve passengers in Amtrak's Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor were unveiled, tested and saluted with inaugural runs last month. The roll-out and ribbon -cutting were celebrated by a large crowd of citizens, Washington workers who com- pleted the trainsets and state and railroad officials at Seattle's King Street Station on November 9. Master of ceremonies for the event was Secretary of State Ralph Munro who was instrumental in getting state government's support for the purchase of three European -style trainsets. Washington state invested in two of the custom-built trains and Amtrak purchased one to operate on the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor, from Vancouver, BC to Eugene, OR. Each trainset costs approximately $10 million. One of the first trips the trainsets took was to a testing facility in Colorado for thorough checking. Then came two inaugural preview runs on November 30 - with communities along the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor welcoming the Euro -style trains with ceremonies, music and applause. The Seattle -Eugene, OR inaugural run made interme- diate stops in Tacoma, Olympia/Lacey, Centralia, Kelso/ Longview, Vancouver, Portland, Salem and Albany. The Vancouver, BC -Seattle inaugural run made stops in Bellingham, Mt. Vernon, Everett and Edmonds. Local residents, including train riders, Amtrak staff, artists and community groups helped design and develop many of the new amenities. Some of the customer -friendly features of the new trains are: outlets for laptop computers, an in -seat audio system and overhead video monitors. Dining will be another drawing card - with the new Amtrak Cascade service featuring popular Northwest foods. "Amtrak Cascades service provides a new way to turn an ordinary trip into an adventure," said Gil Mallery, President of Amtrak West. "In addition to the spectacular scenery, travelers will enjoy fresh Iocal foods and beverages, watch movies and even bring along bicycles and skis." The new Amtrak Cascades service is scheduled to begin later this month. • Photo by Grace Eubanks State Senator Mary Margaret Haugen (center) does the ribbon -cutting honors as th e new Amtralc Cascades train is unveiled in Seattle. Assisting the Senator is the Chief Executive Officer of the Spanish Railroad Administration, Miguel Corsini (right) - and the person who is about to call out "All aboard!", Amtrak Conductor Kim Chadwick. OCTOBER 1998 AMTRAK CASCADES: ANEW ERA BEGINS CONI RAIL COSTS LESS THAN AIR OR AUTO TRAVEL Leased Talgo trains currently reduce travel times between Seattle and Portland by over 25 minutes. Amtrak Cascades service will maintain this travel time reduction and set the stage for additional schedule improvements. Washington, Oregon, Amtrak, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, and the Union Pacific Railroad are conducting an ongoing effort to improve tracks, crossings, and safety systems. As these projects are completed in the next 20 years, Amtrak Cascades trains will eventually carry Northwest travelers safely at speeds exceeding 110 miles per hour in rural areas. For example, this will reduce travel times between Seattle and Portland to 2 hours and 30 minutes and will allow up to 13 round -trips daily between Seattle and Portland. Frequent service through to Eugene and to Vancouver, BC, and reduced travel times will improve Amtrak service on the entire rail corridor. Finishing touches being pat on the Amtrak Cascades at the Seattle Taiga plant. A total of four nearly identical Amtrak Cascades trains will be delivered by Talgo in December 1998. Two will be the first passenger trains owned by the state of Washington. These new trains, and the redesigned customer services that accompany them, open the door to a new era of higher -speed rail travel in the Northwest. Amtrak Cascades: Frequently Asked QUeSIionS What Is Custom Class? For an additional $10 each way passengers can choose to travel in Custom Class, which offers roomier On -Board the Amtrak Cascades Choice of Coach Class or roomier Custom Class seating .. Dramatically improved accessibility for passengers with mobility impairments ` Panoramic windows Audio and .video programming - Recycling Outlets for laptop computers cellular phones, and electronic games , Self service bicycle racks Family or business group seating at coach tables. Ample carry -on luggage storage Space for skis and snow boards Checked -baggage service ' Express package service ` Redesigned adjustable seats and foot rests Fresh Local foods in the redesigned bistro (cafe) car New passenger information system Onboard,phone service,: aby changing tab PAGE 2 seating in a coach with fewer passengers, advance boarding, and free snacks and beverages. What's There to Do While on the Amtrak Cascades? Sit back, relax, and enjoy the company of family or friends. Take advantage of available video and audio entertainment, plug -ins for computers or electronic games, food service, family or business group seating at coach tables and, for those inclined to nap, completely redesigned adjustable seats and foot rests. What Kind of Food Service Wil[ be Offered? A redesigned Bistro car will allow Amtrak staff to reduce lines and take better advantage of the local foods and beverages for which the Pacific Northwest is famous. Look for local microbrews and fine wines, Caffe Appassionato coffees, Larry's Markets salmon and sandwiches, Tillamook Cheese, Ivars Clam Chowder and Tim's Cascade Chips to name a few. - -Are the Amtrak Cascades Accessible? - -- All Amtrak Cascades trains are accessible for passengers with mobility impairments. Local volunteers helped design accessibility improvements, including a choice of seating for customers who use wheelchairs and their companions, hand -holds for passengers who need a bit of help while boarding or walking through the train, and captions on video monitors announcing upcoming station -stops. When the Amtrak Cascades debut December 1st, they will be arguably the most accessible trains in America. Why Buy New Trains Instead ofKeeping the Leased Talgo Trains Already in Use? The European Talgo trains currently in use in the Pacific Northwest were brought to America on a trial basis and were approved only for temporary use. Upgrading these trains to meet the permanent needs of Northwest travelers and to meet government requirements for accessibility, safety, competitive bidding, and American manufacture would exceed the cost of new trains. Why Talgo Trains? Washington State conducted a competitive process to select a train manufacturer. Talgo, Inc. offered a proven product at an acceptable price. Talgo trains meet local needs for technology that is reliable, proven, and helps reduce travel times on curvy Northwest tracks. Arecently released WSDOT study compared financial and societal costs of operating intercity air, auto and rail travel. The study concluded that intercity passenger rail service currently costs Washington residents approximately 10 to 14 cents less per passenger mile than auto or air travel. In addition, this report confirmed that fast, frequent intercity rail passenger service on the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor is expected to generate operating profits as early as 2017 Operating intercity passenger rail service currently costs Washington residents approximately 10 to 14 cents less per , passenger mile than auto or air travel. The recently released economic analysis provides detailed information to answer questions about costs, benefits, and financial feasibility of Washington State's intercity rail passenger program. The analysis concluded that passenger rail costs less to operate and, at the same time, provides greater environmental and personal benefits. The Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor stretched from Eugene, OR, to Vancouver, BC. The report estimates that it will cost approximately $2.1 billion to upgrade this corridor to meet growing demand for rail freight, Amtrak, and commuter rail service - all of which share the same tracks. Included in this amount is both operating and capital investments needed for intercity rail passenger service and the capital investments needed for freight and commuter rail within this corridor. Washington taxpayers would not be required to take total responsibility to pay these costs. In particular, the capital costs will be shared among WSDOT's many partners. As a result, it is estimated that Washington State's share of capital costs will be $760 million, and operating costs will be approximately $115 million. For a copy of this financial report visit our website at www wsdot.wa.gov/pubtran/rail or call the Rail Office at (360) 705-7900. Ihtitortnertion WSDOT Rail Office P.O. Box 47387 Olympia, Washington 98504-7387 Telephone: (360) 705-7901 Fax: (360) 705-6821 E-mail rail@wsdotwa.gov http://www.wsdotwa.gov/pubtran/rail Our mission: a transportation 1 meeting the mobility needs of the Al W.Yi%M. Ste. DepwIrrant d.i..Potatke Prep: HDR Eng and The Re BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT ITEM NO. 10 FOR MEETING OF: April 6. 1999 ITEM TITLE: Resolution to support the preparation of a feasibility study by the Washington State Department of Transportation during the 1999-2001 biennium for east -west passenger rail service to Eastern Washington. SUBMITTED BY: William R. Cook, Director of Community & Economic Development CONTACT PERSON / TELEPHONE: Vaughn McBride/Community Development Specialist 575-6113 SUMMARY EXPLANATION: Attorney James O. Neal (retired, Ephrata, WA) has requested City of Yakima support of an effort to encourage the Legislature to approve the necessary funding in the Washington Department of Transportation Rail Office budget to conduct a study of the feasibility of east -west passenger rail service to Eastern Washington. Similar resolutions have been adopted by the City Councils of Cle Elum, Ellensburg, Toppenish, Prosser, Kennewick, Pasco, Ritzville, Harrington, Ephrata, Quincy, East Wenatchee and Leavenworth. ResolutionJ_Ordinance Contract_Other (Specify) Funding Source APPROVAL FOR SUBMITTAL: CiOilanager STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Adopt resolution in support of preparation of feasibility study by WSDOT. BOARD RECOMMENDATION: COUNCIL ACTION: March 22, 1999 7 - JAMES OTIS NEAL Attomey at Law P. O. Box 1061 Ephrata, WA 98823 (609)754-3114 City of Yakima 129 North Second Street Yakima, WA 98901 Attention: Mr. Glenn K. Rice and Mr. Gentlemen: /► - ` IVED A 1999 ';)MMUNITY DEVELOPMENT elly v.4,;(,,%4 414N 4 /869 Orpick. oiry 41,4 en Vaughn McBride Thanks for meeting with me at your office Wednesday, the 17th of March, 1999. I enclose a copy of the October 1998 issue of RAIL CONNECTION published by the State Department of Transportation. Also enclosed in my report showing declarations of support by the various entities in Eastern Washington. Support by the City of Yakima would be helpful and appreciated. Thanks and Best Regards: REPORT OF DECLARATIONS OF SUPPORT FOR STUDY OF FEASIBILITY OF EASTERN WASHINGTON MODERN RAIL SERVICE CLE ELUM city Council. RESOLUTION ADOPTED 1-12-99 ELLENSBURG City Council. RESOLUTION ADOPTED 1-19-99. TOPPENISH City Council. RESOLUTION ADOPTED 1-11-99. PROSSER City Council.RESOLUTION ADOPTED 10-13-98. KENNEWICK City Council. RESOLUTION ADOPTED 1-5-99. PASCO City Council. RESOLUTION ADOPTED 2-1-99. CONNELL Chamber of Commerce. I have been verbally assured that the Connell chamber has approved the resolution but have not yet received a copy. RITZVILLE City Council.RESOLUTION ADOPTED 12-15-98 CHENEY Chamber of Commerce. RESOLUTION ADOPTED 1-6-99 SPOKANE REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION COUNCIL. I have been verbally assured that a Letter of Support was mailed to the DOT about 3-1- 99 but have not received a copy. HARRINGTON City Council. RESOLUTION ADOPTED 1-13-99. EPHRATA City Council. RESOLUTION ADOPTED 12-2-98. EPHRATA Chamber of Commerce. RESOLUTION ADOPTED 12-15-98. QUINCY City Council. RESOLUTION ADOPTED 11-17-98. EAST WENATCHEE City Council. RESOLUTION ADOPTED 12-7-98. EAST WENATCHEE Chamber of Commerce. RESOLUTION ADOPTED 10-13-98. WENATCHEE City Council. RESOLUTION ADOPTED 12-8-98. WENATCHEE Chamber of Commerce. Letter of Support 1-29-99. LEAVENWORTH City Council. RESOLUTION ADOPTED 12-8-98. LEAVENWORTH Chamber of Commerce. RESOLUTION ADOPTED 12-3-98. Notes: I have copies of the documents except as otherwise stated. Resolutions are pending with the Councils of Yakima and Cheney. 3_