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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-01-06 - AGENDA REPORTS - TRANS CAPITAL INVESTMENT (2)CITY OF SANTA CLARITA INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and.Members of the FROM: Ron Kilcoynet,Transportation Manager DATE: January 6, 1993 SUBJECT: BUS/RAIL-TRANSIT CAPITAL INVESTMENT The Santa Clarita Valley grew up around the automobile. Developments were designed assuming the only mode of transport would be the auto. The notable exception is the residential areas of Valencia where the paseo system encourages and accommodates walking. However, even here it is assumed that one will drive anywhere the paseo won't take them. The Valley has had marginal transit for about twelve years. However, even during the past year and one-half of City stewardship with doubled service levels, modem equipment and greater visibility; transit plays a very minor role in Valley travel. The Fust question is, will transit always be relegated to this minor role? Some will argue only a small fraction of the population will ever use transit, therefore investing more resources in transit would be wasted. A very recent survey in the San Fernando Valley debunked this theory by illustrating that about 60% of the population have a propensity or could be persuaded to use transit - they simply don't because of the perceived or real lack of service coupled with lack of knowledge of whatever service that. does exist. This survey mirrors marketing studies done nationally; however, the proximity of time and location for this survey gives it particular relevance to our situation here in Santa Chuita. If expanding the role of Santa Clarita Transit is "doable," the next question is, should we bother to increase transit's role? Maybe it's best to approach this question by considering what will happen if we don't. Unless the Valley stops growing - no new homes, employers of retail outlets; traffic volumes will increase. This growth in vehicle trips and vehicle miles travelled, will outstrip any technological advances to conserve air quality in the Valley. We will be faced with a "zero sum" choice of either paving over thousands of precious valley acreage to simply accommodate the auto with extra -wide boulevards and large parking lots or choose to live with considerably more congestion. This is not an auto versus transit debate. The auto provides the highest level of individual mobility and always will: However, there are costs; poor air quality, congestion and more acres paved over to accommodate a given level of human activity to name three:. The real issue is balance. An unbalanced transportation system, which we currently have, results in a lack of choices for the individual (if we must use an auto for virtually any activity; it is not much of a choice) and a lack of choices for the community (bad air, massive pavement, etc). Agenda Item —1 .. City Manager and City Council Bus/Rail Transit Capital Investment January 6, 1993 Page 2 Developing a balanced transportation system is a long term, complex act that includes several alternatives to the auto (walking, bicycling, as well as transit) and several facets (development design and density, reducing auto subsidies and transit investment). Tonight's discussion will focus on only one facet - transit investment. For all practical purposes, transit is in its infancy stage here in Santa Clarita. Looking at some peer transit operations (transit systems operating in environments similar to Santa Clarita Transit) on average, they provide twice as much service per capita, and carry three times as many passengers per capita as Santa Clarita. Does Santa Clarita want to match or exceed this level of service for the local fixed route network? Links to auras outside of the Santa Clarita Valley are also part -of the discussion. The Santa Clarita Valley should support at least three commuter rail stations located about four miles apart. What priority should be given building these new stations? What new bus links to points outside of Santa Clarita should be established? Simply running buses (or trains) isn't sufficient to develop a customer. base.. If people can't walk to and wait for a bus in a safe and pleasant environment, they won't use the system. In Santa Clarita, many areas have poor to non-existent pedestrian access to transit. There are also needs for shelters, benches and more transit information at stops. Should we make these investments? Without a properly designed and equipped transit administration/maintenance facility,'the local transit network cannot function at full potential, the current facility is inadequate for current conditions and cannot accommodate any growth. The attachment is a menu of transit -related projects that should be implemented. Transit staff intends to be aggressive in seeking funding; however, resources will be constrained requiring prioritization. Occasionally, a unique funding opportunity that can only be applied to a lower priority project will present itself. Transit staff will take advantage of these opportunities, indeed will be on the lookout for them, but the transit program needs focus,. direction and priorities. Tonight's discussion will guide staff in preparing next year's budget, in preparing the City's Short Range Transit Plan for the MTA and responding to LACTC/MTA four year "call for projects" to compete for all discretionary funds controlled by LACTC/MTA. City Manager and City Council Bus/Rail Transit Capital Investment January 6, 1993 Page 3 It is recommended that the City Council review the draft list of transit investment projects and provide feedback to staff on priority projects for the 1993-94 budget process and inclusion in the four year LACTC/MTA call for projects. ATTACBMENT Draft list of Bus/Rail Capital Investments RK:gmm tranprog.trn DRAFT LIST BUS/RAIL CAPITAL AND OPERATING INVESTMENTS 1. TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION/MAINTENANCE FACILITY Current facilities are inadequate for current operations and can not accommodate any expansion. 2. NEW RAIL STATIONS a. Newhall site: A station in the Newhall area will eliminate the 3-4 mile backtracking residents of Valencia and Newhall must make to access Metrolink. Also Caltrans prefers a Newhall location for future Amtrak stop b. Canyon Country East site, adjacent to Highway 14. 3. PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO LOCAL BUS NETWORK Throughout the City, pedestrian access to the local bus network is impossible, unsafe or unpleasant. This should be an ongoing program, where a number of improvements to pedestrian access to local transit are.made annually. 4. LOCAL SERVICE EXPANSION A comparison of peer transit operators indicated that on average, they operate twice as much service per capita and carry three times as many passengers per capita. Based on current Santa Clarita Valley population, the City should seek funding to purchase 18 additional buses and operate 54,000 additional revenue vehicle hours per year to maintain a level of service comparable to similar communities. To keep pace with population growth, the City would need to add one bus and 2,800 revenue vehicle hours per year for every 5,000 increase in population. 5. NEW SERVICE TO SAN FERNANDO VALLEY The transit division receives more requests for all -day service connecting the Santa Clarity Valley with the San Fernando Valley than any other issue. Resources needed include five additional buses and annual operating expenses to sustain the service. If operating funds were secured, a contract with a charter bus operator could be an interim measure until new buses were obtained. Transit Project List Page 2 6. VENTURA RAIL ROW PRESERVATION In order to eventually establish rail passenger service between Santa Clarita and Ventura, right of way within the City limits must be determined and preserved during 1993. This may involve land acquisition or swaps. Failure to do so could result in considerable cost, if not making it impossible, to establish a service in the future. 7. CENTURY CITY COMMUTER ROUTE As an interim measure LADOT route 573 is being extended to Santa Clarita. The City should consider purchasing up 'to five buses and operating this as a separate express mute as ridership builds. Antelope Valley Transit Authority plans to stop in Santa Clarita enroute to Warner Center in 6-12 months when they have sufficient vehicles to accommodate extra capacity. As demand builds a separate mute may be necessary. The City should seek funding to purchase 3 buses and annual operating expenditures. 9. ANTELOPE VALLEY CONNECTION Antelope Valley Transit Authority plans to provide a link to Santa Clarita in 6-12 months. They have not asked for any financial compensation from the City, however, a joint application to operate this service may be necessary. 10. BUS STOP DISPLAY UNITS The installation of units to contain schedules and maps at bus stops. Also need to budget for maintenance of units. 11. BUS SHEII TERS 12. BUS BENCHES 13.' GRAFFITI REMOVAL FROM BUSES/TRANSIT FACILITIES 14.. INCREASED SECURITY AT TRANSIT FACILITIES Transit Project List Page 3 15. TRANSIT SUPERVISORY VEHICLES This includes replacement of existing vehicles at time of vehicle retirement and additional vehicles to support expansion of service. 16. TRANSIT MASTER PLAN There is a need to develop a master plan to guide transit development within the City. It would provide specifics to guide local service expansion (#4 above), pedestrian improvements (#3 above), new transit center/park and ride facilities (#19 below) and street layouts to accommodate the ultimate transit network at City buildout. This should be a community developed plan, utilizing high school and college classes to conduct specific tasks where possible. Some consultant assistance may be necessary. 17 TDM/TRO ORDINANCE Besides developing mandated TDM provisions, this ordinance could incorporate development design standards to increase pedestrian//bicycle/transit mode split. 18. DENSITY TRANSFER ORDINANCE Development of a density transfer ordinance may require outside assistance and will need to involve County to be effective. The goal is to encourage more compact transit oriented development in areas easily served by transit as opposed to sprawling hillside development. 19. NEW TRANSIT CENTER/PARK AND RIDE FACILITIES An additional transit center may be needed in Valencia Town Center area to better accommodate intracity transfers (which could be funded by VTC as a condition to phase II expansion). Additional park and ride facilities to support an expanded commuter bus network (#5,7,8,and 9 above) are also needed. TRANPROJ,bus January 6, 1993.Study Session Notes 6:30 p.m. -Council Chambers The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m. Carl Boyer was. excused. Jill Klajic arrived at 6:37 p.m. 1. Introduction of new employees - George Caravalho.introduced the new employees. 2. Pre -Budget - George Caravalho gave the report and explained the items of priority, which Council may wish to include in 93/94 and (see pre -budget survey attached). George explained each pre -budget budget item, Department Head pre -budget items, and the .Council prioritized these items. 3. Ventura County Rail Corridor - Jeff Kolin gave the report. He discussed ISTEA Funding, explained how in five years we would have to implement the study. The theme is corridor concept, freight traffic by trails, etc. He discussed the three road alignments that were being proposed. And the alignment problems being the number one expense and the proximity to the river. Traffic impacts and noise, options available in terms of technology of heavy rail/large diesel multiple units/trolley or light rail. .Primary purpose for the current and future employment areas. Council discussion was not to go near the river, and bring down Newhall Ranch Road. Channelizing the river on the southern rout, multi use capability of the route on the southern route. Arterial flow to grade, and traffic engineers analysis. 4. Bus/Rail Transit Capital investment - Ron Kilcoyne gave the report. The aim is to develop a balanced transportation system in Santa Clarita. He explained the list of bus rails/capital and operating investments. Council discussion was advertising, advertising only -in commercial areas, more bus shelters and benches, and directed Ron to come -up with a fix -up for the buses on Soledad. Public comment - (no name) San Dieagan rail - State picks up a portion of the dollars. Allan Cameron talked about the Metrolink and marketing it. Vera Johnson talked about the roads. Bob Lathrop talked about a cuplet for the downtown Newhall/San Fernando area. Mr. Roberts talked about a two-way cuplet on San Fernando Road. Ed Dunn talked about the water supply. Meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.