Page 4 - scag_connectsocal_2019

INTRODUCTION their state of implementation readiness.

VISION AND PURPOSE LINK TO MAIN BOOK AND OTHER REPORTS
The Connect SoCal vision for passenger rail in the SCAG region consists In addition to this report, passenger rail is discussed in Chapters 2, 3, 5, and 6
of four main elements: in Connect SoCal’s main document. Freight rail and intermodal operations are
discussed in detail in the Goods Movement technical report.
Grow Ridership. While over the past two decades ridership on commuter and
intercity rail services has steadily grown, there is still tremendous potential to
grow ridership significantly in the region.
REGIONAL SIGNIFICANCE
Provide More Frequent and New Services. Providing more frequent rail
service will attract new riders to passenger rail. Currently, commuter rail IMPORTANCE TO THE REGIONAL
service in Southern California is much less frequent than commuter rail
services elsewhere in the nation, like Chicago and New York City. Also, there are TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
several unserved passenger rail markets that would greatly benefit from the The SCAG Region is served by an extensive rail network, including intercity,
establishment of new rail service. commuter and freight services, that is progressively expanding and improving
in terms of capacity, efficiency and safety for its passenger rail and freight
Improve Connectivity. While progress has been made in connecting operations. Southern California and the nation are undeniably experiencing
passenger rail services to existing transit services in our region, more needs a rail renaissance and many capital, operational and safety improvements
to be done to coordinate schedules and connections. Also, more progress are underway and planned along this existing network and for corridors
needs to be made in first/last mile connections to rail stations, and station area currently not served by rail.
planning and transit-oriented development (TOD).
The two passenger rail systems in the SCAG region, the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
Secure Funding. New funding opportunities have been created since the and the Metrolink Commuter Rail services, form an extensive network. The
2016 RTP/SCS which have resulted in recent capital funding awards, including Pacific Surfliner serves a 351-mile-long corridor connecting San Luis Obispo,
a dedicated operational funding source at the state level for the first time. Los Angeles and San Diego paralleling the U.S. 101 and I-5 freeways in the SCAG
However, passenger rail funding in the region is still incremental in nature, and region. Metrolink operates 171 daily trains on seven different lines on 538 route
to grow ridership by virtue of increased service levels, more state and federal miles also paralleling many of the region’s freeways. Many of the stations of
long-term financing needs to be programmed. these two systems serve major urban centers and historical downtowns. The
region’s many transit services connect to these rail stations, and many first/last
mile planning efforts are underway to increase station accessibility.
ORGANIZATION OF THE REPORT
This report is organized in to several sections, beginning with sections on There is great potential for passenger rail to significantly decrease vehicle miles
passenger rail’s regional significance and its regulatory framework, followed by travelled (VMT) by taking single-occupant vehicles (SOVs) off the road since
the report’s analytical approach and existing conditions, then concludes with these services mostly run along the region’s freeways. With increases in service
strategies and recommendations, and future rail projects and initiatives and levels, passenger rail will provide a greater incentive for the region’s travelers

Connect SoCal 2 Passenger Rail