1 00:00:00,500 --> 00:00:24,040 We are live. Good afternoon and welcome to September 23, 2026. The top's known as technology operations planning and safety meeting calling the meeting to order roll call, please. Director Walton. Here. Vice Chair Burt. Here. Chair Medina. Here. Thank you. We have a quorum. Thank you. If you would join Director's Walton and Burt with me if you're able and in the pledge. 2 00:00:35,020 --> 00:00:35,580 And 3 00:00:38,740 --> 00:00:40,840 then if we could have the safety briefing, please. 4 00:00:43,770 --> 00:00:48,270 And always as CalTrain's core value, therefore, each meeting begins with the safety briefing. 5 00:00:49,170 --> 00:00:54,610 We are located at 166 North Rollins Road, Milbray, in the 5th floor public hearing room. 6 00:00:54,610 --> 00:00:59,690 In the event of an emergency requiring us to shelter in place, we will remain in this room. 7 00:01:00,310 --> 00:01:08,750 If an evacuation is necessary, please exit through the doors you entered, proceed through the exit door across from the elevators, and use the stairs to reach the ground floor. 8 00:01:09,970 --> 00:01:19,910 Once outside the building, head east across North Rollins Road to the designated meeting point in front of the Rollins Gateway at Milbury Station Building, located at 181, North Rollins Road. 9 00:01:20,690 --> 00:01:22,130 Please do not use the elevators. 10 00:01:22,890 --> 00:01:26,730 individuals who require assistance may wait inside the stairwell until help 11 00:01:26,730 --> 00:01:32,110 arrives. An AED is located next to this room and a fire extinguisher is available 12 00:01:32,110 --> 00:01:38,990 in the hallway. If needed, the General Counsel will call 9-1-1. The JPB Secretary will 13 00:01:38,990 --> 00:01:42,510 count everyone present so that all attendees can be accounted for in the event of 14 00:01:42,510 --> 00:01:44,670 an evacuation. Thank you. 15 00:01:47,230 --> 00:01:50,630 No, thank you. Let's move on to item 4. 16 00:01:53,250 --> 00:01:53,670 Public 17 00:01:53,670 --> 00:01:56,570 go ahead and get a call upon our speakers. 18 00:01:57,430 --> 00:01:58,170 We have two speakers. 19 00:01:58,170 --> 00:02:00,250 We'll start with Adrian Brant, followed by Rowling. 20 00:02:00,530 --> 00:02:00,770 Adrian? 21 00:02:03,210 --> 00:02:03,590 Thank you. 22 00:02:03,710 --> 00:02:05,490 Good afternoon, Chair Medina and members. 23 00:02:06,290 --> 00:02:11,290 Because this is a safety committee, I wanted to compliment staff and Burling Game Police 24 00:02:11,290 --> 00:02:16,810 Department for the recent enforcement action at the Broadway Crossing, where they actually 25 00:02:16,810 --> 00:02:21,610 were citing people for a very routine and dangerous vehicle code violation. 26 00:02:21,610 --> 00:02:25,770 I want to, again, suggest that since we have money for rail 27 00:02:25,770 --> 00:02:31,310 century and we cite people for merely not having a fair on the 28 00:02:31,310 --> 00:02:36,110 train that we pursue a demonstration project using turnkey 29 00:02:36,110 --> 00:02:41,290 camera system that will more effectively enforce grade crossing 30 00:02:41,290 --> 00:02:45,570 violations 24 or 7. There's turnkey camera systems that do 31 00:02:45,570 --> 00:02:50,850 this. One is called railroad safe and this is not like the 32 00:02:50,850 --> 00:02:55,910 controversial flock cameras. It's just like the speed cameras up in San Francisco 33 00:02:55,910 --> 00:03:01,350 or red light cameras. It only catches and sights violators. Remember that 34 00:03:01,350 --> 00:03:05,790 rail century is not preventative. It's fairly reactive. Thank you. 35 00:03:07,960 --> 00:03:08,720 Our last 36 00:03:08,720 --> 00:03:09,540 speaker is Rowland. 37 00:03:12,220 --> 00:03:15,340 Thank you and a good afternoon. I would like to take this 38 00:03:15,340 --> 00:03:20,920 opportunity to give you an update on the latest B-MU developments, specifically 39 00:03:20,920 --> 00:03:26,320 clearly that the project needs to pivot to a different battery technology and which may 40 00:03:26,320 --> 00:03:32,920 result in a two-year delay in require supplementing the existing $80 million budget by a smurch 41 00:03:32,920 --> 00:03:33,660 of $20 million. 42 00:03:34,880 --> 00:03:41,960 This is a carbon copy of what happened to the Seaboss project 10 years ago and the time has 43 00:03:41,960 --> 00:03:48,100 come to pivot to battery-electric locomotives capable of storing EMUs back and forth between 44 00:03:48,100 --> 00:03:51,060 in Tamion and Salinas without recharging. 45 00:03:51,820 --> 00:03:53,460 This change requires a simple change 46 00:03:53,460 --> 00:03:54,840 in order to standard contract, 47 00:03:55,220 --> 00:03:58,260 or a new RFI if we would like to keep both options open. 48 00:03:58,920 --> 00:04:01,180 Now, with regard to the last speaker's comment, 49 00:04:01,840 --> 00:04:06,700 before you start enforcing cameras at railroad crossings, 50 00:04:07,220 --> 00:04:10,200 a good start would be to start by putting stripes 51 00:04:10,200 --> 00:04:12,100 on the stripes so that people know 52 00:04:12,100 --> 00:04:13,200 where they're not supposed to be. 53 00:04:13,300 --> 00:04:13,620 Thank you. 54 00:04:16,300 --> 00:04:19,120 All right, that the end of public comment 55 00:04:19,120 --> 00:04:21,640 and thank you to both speakers for their comments. 56 00:04:22,260 --> 00:04:26,500 Item five, approval of meeting minutes for August 26th, 2026. 57 00:04:27,120 --> 00:04:31,500 There being no public comments, bring it to the Board for action. 58 00:04:32,860 --> 00:04:33,880 Move approval. 59 00:04:34,420 --> 00:04:37,800 There's motion and second to approve the minutes of August 26th. 60 00:04:37,800 --> 00:04:38,700 All those in favor say aye. 61 00:04:39,220 --> 00:04:39,580 Aye. 62 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:40,260 Any opposed? 63 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:41,680 The ayes have it. 64 00:04:42,260 --> 00:04:43,240 Passes 3-0. 65 00:04:43,980 --> 00:04:47,960 Item six, authorize executive director to execute amendment number two 66 00:04:47,960 --> 00:04:53,740 to the service agreement with the City of Sunnyvale for the completion design for the 67 00:04:53,740 --> 00:04:53,880 the 68 00:04:56,360 --> 00:04:58,480 are to have a new under crossing project 69 00:05:05,580 --> 00:05:13,260 Good afternoon. Okay. Good afternoon. I'm willing to go on with the Director of Infrastructure 70 00:05:13,260 --> 00:05:20,780 Delivery with ECM. So just on the item for authorizing the Executive Director to execute 71 00:05:20,780 --> 00:05:24,540 amendment 2 to the service agreement with city Sunnyvale for completion design up or not 72 00:05:24,540 --> 00:05:25,500 of avenue unaccrocing. 73 00:05:27,540 --> 00:05:31,340 And what the staff is recommending is to authorize the Executive Director 74 00:05:31,340 --> 00:05:36,700 to execute an amendment and to advance the project to 100% design and increase the capital 75 00:05:36,700 --> 00:05:44,220 budget by $7.6 million. So we'll go through a very quick project overview, a project background, 76 00:05:44,780 --> 00:05:47,680 review the project schedule, and talk about the next steps on this project. 77 00:05:48,940 --> 00:05:54,100 So the project overview, the city Sunnyvale and city mountain view are both the co-sponsors of 78 00:05:54,100 --> 00:05:57,840 the project, the proposed installation of bi-compared under-crossing app remodel avenue, 79 00:05:57,840 --> 00:06:00,200 and West Evelyn Avenue to connect the two cities. 80 00:06:00,700 --> 00:06:03,980 It will also be connected to the Evalomotai Use Cho project 81 00:06:03,980 --> 00:06:05,880 that the city of Sunnyvale is leading. 82 00:06:06,620 --> 00:06:09,020 The undercrossing is intended to facilitate access 83 00:06:09,020 --> 00:06:10,640 between the northern and southern side of the culture 84 00:06:10,640 --> 00:06:12,720 and right away as well as central expressway. 85 00:06:13,580 --> 00:06:15,660 The stakeholders are capturing the city of Sunnyvale, 86 00:06:15,820 --> 00:06:18,820 city of Mountain View, VTA, and also Santa Clara County. 87 00:06:20,360 --> 00:06:22,960 So here just I think it's a kind of an image 88 00:06:22,960 --> 00:06:25,420 of what the proposed and acrossing would look like, 89 00:06:25,560 --> 00:06:27,380 where across is the culture and right away, 90 00:06:27,380 --> 00:06:30,780 You will see that it's going to cross the culture in right away as well as central expressway 91 00:06:31,300 --> 00:06:32,680 Ultimately connecting the two sides 92 00:06:35,360 --> 00:06:40,920 So for project background on this project was initiated back in 2017 by the city of Sunnyvale and the city of Mountain View 93 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:43,500 Which at the time city of Sunnyvale had taken the lead on the project? 94 00:06:44,020 --> 00:06:44,980 In 2021 95 00:06:44,980 --> 00:06:49,860 Keltchrin had approved a quarter a rail quarter use policy our covariance 96 00:06:50,400 --> 00:06:58,040 For the under crossing in 2023 in an alternative was selected for environmental clearance and the city subsequently completed a 97 00:06:58,040 --> 00:07:00,720 35% design and environmental clearance for the project. 98 00:07:02,380 --> 00:07:07,520 So based on a current schedule, what we're intending to do is in this month, in October, 99 00:07:07,760 --> 00:07:11,880 to get both City Council and JPP's approval for the approval for the amendment to the 100 00:07:11,880 --> 00:07:17,860 service agreement, we will then begin in November with an enhanced 35% design intending 101 00:07:17,860 --> 00:07:23,580 then to complete the 60% design by March of 2027 as well as doing an update of the cost estimate 102 00:07:23,580 --> 00:07:24,760 at the 65% level. 103 00:07:25,580 --> 00:07:35,680 The final design will be completed in December 2028, along with an updated estimate, and right now the construction will be to be determined that we'll have to look for funding for the construction of the project. 104 00:07:38,110 --> 00:07:42,590 So for the next steps, we're intended to work with the city to finalize the amendment to the service agreement. 105 00:07:42,910 --> 00:07:45,490 Actually, the draft language agreement has been agreed to. 106 00:07:46,070 --> 00:07:53,450 We'll work to select a designer record to proceed forward with the design, and then to begin the design with after the selection of the designer. 107 00:07:55,720 --> 00:08:07,120 So just to summarize the recommended action is to authorize the Executive Director to execute the amendment for the service agreement with the City of Sonnyville to announce the project's 100% design and increase the budget by 7.6 million. 108 00:08:08,800 --> 00:08:09,860 Happy to take any questions. 109 00:08:10,500 --> 00:08:11,340 Thank you very much. 110 00:08:12,260 --> 00:08:14,740 We have no public speakers on this topic. 111 00:08:15,160 --> 00:08:17,580 Are there any questions or comments, Vice Chair Burke? 112 00:08:17,580 --> 00:08:27,700 Yes, so I'm familiar with this project really from some VTA meetings on it. It's an unusually long 113 00:08:29,040 --> 00:08:36,660 bike and ped under crossing because it has to go not only under cow train, but under Central Expressway 114 00:08:36,660 --> 00:08:44,820 and an island in Central Expressway. So a couple of questions. One, this additional amount 115 00:08:45,900 --> 00:08:48,300 is being funded by what source? 116 00:08:49,300 --> 00:08:52,780 I believe it's a mixture of funds, there are measure B funds, 117 00:08:52,780 --> 00:08:55,020 and then there are also some local funds from both the cities, 118 00:08:55,320 --> 00:08:58,880 as well as I think they have all-bad money involved in that as well. 119 00:08:59,480 --> 00:09:00,040 So it's a mixture. 120 00:09:01,460 --> 00:09:05,120 Yeah, even though it's a bike and pet under crossing, 121 00:09:05,540 --> 00:09:09,560 it qualifies for VTA measure B grade separation funding. 122 00:09:09,560 --> 00:09:20,000 And so I think you said that in November, we will have not only a, do we complete the 35% design or initiate it? 123 00:09:20,700 --> 00:09:24,780 No, it will be to initiate a basically 35% refresh. 124 00:09:26,260 --> 00:09:29,740 Or refresh. So they already had a 35 and this a refresh. 125 00:09:30,140 --> 00:09:35,500 That is correct. The city had produced a 35% previously, but that was led, that effort was led by the city. 126 00:09:35,500 --> 00:09:41,480 and it has been two years now since that 35% has been looked at so our intention to start with 127 00:09:41,480 --> 00:09:46,680 is to go through a refresh of the 35% to make sure that we are incorporating the updated standards 128 00:09:46,680 --> 00:09:54,880 before taking it forward to the 65% and at that time we will get an update on the cost estimate based 129 00:09:54,880 --> 00:09:57,540 on a 35% reforture, one at 35% as well. 130 00:09:57,920 --> 00:09:59,860 So that the cost estimate. 131 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:28,460 We'll be win. You know, I don't have the off the top of my head. I don't have the completion date of the 35%. I think I want to say it's an early part of 2027, but that's something I can double check on. Thank you. There be no other questions or comments. Bring it back to the board for any action. Please move to second. There's a motion in a second to prove staff's recommendation. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? 132 00:10:28,460 --> 00:10:33,600 three O passes, and now item seven, if you could read that. 133 00:10:34,140 --> 00:10:40,240 Item seven, authorize execution of amendment number six to contract number 23-J-C-040 134 00:10:40,800 --> 00:10:45,560 with flat iron hers of joint venture for construction manager slash general contractor 135 00:10:45,560 --> 00:10:52,800 CMCG, support services, and amendment number seven to contract number 23-J-P-041 with 136 00:10:52,800 --> 00:10:59,180 Mark Thomas for designer services for Broadway Berlin game. Great separation project, 100% design. 137 00:11:00,140 --> 00:11:01,120 Welcome back. 138 00:11:01,900 --> 00:11:02,600 Good to be back. 139 00:11:04,660 --> 00:11:11,300 Okay, so for this item, what a staff recommendation is for the BBGS project to authorize a 140 00:11:11,300 --> 00:11:15,500 amendment number six to the CMGC contractor for the flat area, Herzog joint venture, 141 00:11:15,960 --> 00:11:21,980 to increase the contract budget by a Nazi seed amount of $3.86 million to a total of $9.67. 142 00:11:21,980 --> 00:11:34,780 And also authorize the amendment to number seven to the design service contract for Mark Thomas to increase their contract budget by not by not exceed amount of $9.4 million to a total of 33.3. 143 00:11:35,380 --> 00:11:38,780 It is to bring both contracts to the 100% design. 144 00:11:40,120 --> 00:11:49,360 So some project updates, I think some of this which we have heard previously, so we have executed the amendment of the MOU to take the project to 100% completion. 145 00:11:49,360 --> 00:11:55,160 The project has submitted the FRA RCE grant for the construction dollars. 146 00:11:55,920 --> 00:12:01,080 We've received and already completed a review of the 65% redesign in July and also updated 147 00:12:01,080 --> 00:12:05,760 a total project cost estimate based on the 65% and the project team has already kicked 148 00:12:05,760 --> 00:12:07,360 off the 100% design efforts. 149 00:12:09,280 --> 00:12:15,080 Just to contract summary, so these two contracts, the Mark Thomas contract was originally awarded 150 00:12:15,080 --> 00:12:22,480 in November of 2020, we spend a total of $21.3 million to date, and the estimated total cost 151 00:12:22,480 --> 00:12:29,100 of getting a 200% design would be $14.4 million. And for the CMGC, that contract was awarded 152 00:12:29,100 --> 00:12:34,980 in April of 2024. We've spent about $5.7 million to date, and similarly, their remaining 153 00:12:34,980 --> 00:12:40,160 school would be to support the 100% design and pre-construction phase, and that's estimated 154 00:12:40,160 --> 00:12:42,240 to be 3.9 million to the completion of that scope. 155 00:12:44,680 --> 00:12:49,880 So this is just a recap, kind of a rehash of the 65% project cost estimate. 156 00:12:50,100 --> 00:12:55,040 Just want to highlight that the designers contract the amendment of $9.4 million as well 157 00:12:55,040 --> 00:13:02,760 as the CMGC contract amendment of $3.9 million are included in the 65% project cost estimate 158 00:13:02,760 --> 00:13:03,120 update. 159 00:13:06,240 --> 00:13:09,060 So the current project schedule, I think this is something you have seen previously. 160 00:13:09,060 --> 00:13:15,200 So we're intended to complete the final design in 2027 as well continue to move forward with 161 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:20,820 property acquisition and potentially starting pre the early work activities in 2027 as well 162 00:13:20,820 --> 00:13:26,800 with a goal of starting construction for the main construction fact in late 28 depending on 163 00:13:26,800 --> 00:13:27,720 availability of funding. 164 00:13:31,180 --> 00:13:41,220 So just in conclusion the staff recommendation is to authorize a amendment 165 00:13:41,220 --> 00:13:46,180 and number seven to design services contract with Mark Thomas for $9.4 million. 166 00:13:48,750 --> 00:13:49,770 Any questions? 167 00:13:50,350 --> 00:13:54,650 Thank you very much for the presentation and the report. We 168 00:13:56,920 --> 00:14:01,420 have one public comment if we may hear that person now. 169 00:14:02,240 --> 00:14:03,540 Our one speaker is rolling. 170 00:14:06,330 --> 00:14:15,550 Thank you. So first of all, no problem with staff recommendation. But the reason why I'm addressing you is that this business of spending half a billion dollar 171 00:14:15,550 --> 00:14:21,410 up a great separation. This is not sustainable. This is the exact reason why I made a proposal 172 00:14:21,990 --> 00:14:29,550 to have a concessionary taking over the entire alignment between a Giro enemy wheel and 173 00:14:29,550 --> 00:14:35,370 deliver all these capital projects. And the reason why I did that is that the concessionary 174 00:14:35,370 --> 00:14:41,790 has got all the in-house expertise not only to design and vimity clear, but also actually 175 00:14:41,790 --> 00:14:47,290 construct all these projects without having to go to this massive consultants as a result of which 176 00:14:47,290 --> 00:14:53,790 they can deliver all these projects much faster for a fraction of all the costs that we've been 177 00:14:53,790 --> 00:14:55,330 has to pay right now. Thank you. 178 00:14:55,910 --> 00:14:57,650 There are no further public commenters. 179 00:14:57,890 --> 00:14:59,970 Thank you very much. Bring it back to the committee. 180 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:05,520 Any comments or questions on this topic? Seeing, hearing none, any action? By the board. 181 00:15:07,740 --> 00:15:09,420 I will move the staff recommendation. 182 00:15:12,760 --> 00:15:24,680 There's motion in the second to approve staff recommendation. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? It passes 3-0. Thank you again very much. Item 8, receive annual ridership report. 183 00:15:36,810 --> 00:15:42,930 Good afternoon, Chair Medina. Members of the tops committee. Nick Atchison, senior planner with rail operations planning. 184 00:15:43,790 --> 00:15:48,770 and I'm here to give you a quick presentation on the findings from our fiscal year 2026 annual 185 00:15:48,770 --> 00:15:55,210 ridership report. So here's the agenda for today's presentation. We'll start with a bit of 186 00:15:55,210 --> 00:15:59,450 background and then we can dig into the key findings from the report and wrap up with a few next 187 00:15:59,450 --> 00:16:06,310 steps. So starting with some background, because CalTrain operates without fair gates and we don't 188 00:16:06,310 --> 00:16:12,730 currently have system-wide automatic passenger counters or APCs, we don't have comprehensive data 189 00:16:12,730 --> 00:16:15,530 on each of the individual trips taken within our system. 190 00:16:16,050 --> 00:16:19,350 We'll quickly note that the electric fleet came equipped with APCs, 191 00:16:19,430 --> 00:16:22,070 but that system is still being set up and configured. 192 00:16:23,390 --> 00:16:28,410 Historically, calculating the annual ridership reports came from the annual pasture account, 193 00:16:28,770 --> 00:16:34,970 but that program was discontinued in 2020 due to cost and shifting travel patterns due to the pandemic. 194 00:16:36,010 --> 00:16:41,070 In FY24, we started developing annual ridership reports from the monthly ridership estimates 195 00:16:41,070 --> 00:16:46,190 that we report to the board, and those estimates are generated from our fair media ridership model, 196 00:16:46,210 --> 00:16:50,270 which uses ticket sales data to estimate daily ridership by origin station. 197 00:16:52,870 --> 00:16:57,150 So moving on to the key findings, we'll start with a few of the big headline numbers. 198 00:16:57,730 --> 00:17:03,730 Total annual ridership was 12.6 million, a 38% increase from last year. 199 00:17:04,610 --> 00:17:08,290 Average weekday ridership for the whole of the fiscal year was almost 41,000, 200 00:17:08,510 --> 00:17:11,450 and average weekend ridership was over 21,000. 201 00:17:12,730 --> 00:17:16,950 So while the weekday ridership is still a bit below where we were pre-pandemic, 202 00:17:17,370 --> 00:17:23,550 the weekend ridership is actually 50% higher than 2019 levels. A big part of that is the fact 203 00:17:23,550 --> 00:17:28,630 that we doubled the amount of weekend trains when we electrified in September of 2024. 204 00:17:29,690 --> 00:17:36,470 So most of the weekend growth actually happened in FY25, but in FY26 the weekend ridership did grow 205 00:17:36,470 --> 00:17:39,270 significantly about 40% year over year. 206 00:17:42,270 --> 00:17:44,230 So one of the biggest factors contributing 207 00:17:44,230 --> 00:17:49,110 to our ridership growth this fiscal year was the continued momentum from electrification. 208 00:17:49,710 --> 00:17:53,530 But we did also have a lot of major special events along the corridor, 209 00:17:54,290 --> 00:18:00,050 like the Super Bowl, FIFA World Cup, and some big concert series like the BTS shows 210 00:18:00,050 --> 00:18:02,110 at the Stanford Stadium. 211 00:18:02,810 --> 00:18:08,390 We also saw gas prices spike in the spring, which made us even more competitive to driving 212 00:18:08,390 --> 00:18:09,630 from a cost perspective. 213 00:18:11,530 --> 00:18:16,250 So I have a few charts and tables to share, and there's a lot of information in these slides, 214 00:18:16,250 --> 00:18:19,050 so I'll run through them quickly, but I'll be happy to come back to any of them. 215 00:18:19,810 --> 00:18:24,230 So on this chart, the blue bars represent our total monthly ridership, and then the gray 216 00:18:24,230 --> 00:18:26,410 line in the middle is our average weekday ridership. 217 00:18:26,910 --> 00:18:30,670 You can see that both of those really started to pick up in the last quarter of the fiscal 218 00:18:30,670 --> 00:18:36,090 year when the high gas prices hit in March, and they remained high through the end of 219 00:18:36,090 --> 00:18:36,770 the fiscal year. 220 00:18:36,770 --> 00:18:47,240 This chart shows, again, the total monthly ridership in blue, but now that gray line is our pandemic recovery rate. 221 00:18:47,540 --> 00:18:52,920 So the monthly ridership relative to the same month pre-pandemic. 222 00:18:53,340 --> 00:19:00,860 Again, you see that our pandemic recovery spikes in March when those high gas prices hit and the special events start. 223 00:19:01,420 --> 00:19:04,460 And then it remained high through the end of the fiscal year by June. 224 00:19:04,460 --> 00:19:06,740 We were over 80% pandemic recovery. 225 00:19:09,280 --> 00:19:12,380 This chart just gives you another look at our pandemic recovery. 226 00:19:13,020 --> 00:19:15,560 The two lines at the top are FY19 and FY20. 227 00:19:16,160 --> 00:19:21,200 You can see that an FY20 ridership fell off a cliff when the pandemic hit in March. 228 00:19:22,080 --> 00:19:25,100 And then we built our ridership back slowly in the following years. 229 00:19:25,640 --> 00:19:30,740 And then that pink line in the middle is FY25 growth really started to accelerate 230 00:19:30,740 --> 00:19:33,420 with electrification in September of that year. 231 00:19:33,920 --> 00:19:36,780 And then the bold brown line in the middle is FY26. 232 00:19:36,780 --> 00:19:42,740 And you can see that we've continued that momentum, and we're creeping closer and closer to our pre-pandemic levels. 233 00:19:44,840 --> 00:19:48,520 This slide breaks down average ridership by specific day of the week. 234 00:19:49,260 --> 00:19:53,360 So prior to the pandemic, our ridership was relatively consistent on weekdays. 235 00:19:53,880 --> 00:19:58,320 Mondays and Fridays were only about one to nine percent lower than Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. 236 00:19:58,320 --> 00:19:59,460 but now 237 00:20:00,000 --> 00:20:06,220 So in our post-pandemic hybrid work environment, the midweek ridership is about 20% higher than 238 00:20:06,220 --> 00:20:13,540 Mondays and Fridays. So while our overall pandemic recovery for weekdays as a whole is 65%, 239 00:20:13,540 --> 00:20:16,880 the midweek is significantly higher at 70% recovery. 240 00:20:20,400 --> 00:20:22,780 Moving on to ridership for our top 10 241 00:20:22,780 --> 00:20:28,340 stations for FY25. There's a lot of information on this table, so I'm just going to call out some 242 00:20:28,340 --> 00:20:36,420 of the key points. First, the stations in our top 10 are consistent in FY 25 to FY 26. 243 00:20:37,240 --> 00:20:42,620 The biggest year-to-year growth in our top 10 was in San Francisco, specifically 22nd Street 244 00:20:42,620 --> 00:20:50,540 Station. Midweek ridership at 22nd Street grew 43% year-over-year. If you look at the column on 245 00:20:50,540 --> 00:20:56,540 the far right, you can see that midweek ridership at 22nd Street is almost at the levels that we had 246 00:20:56,540 --> 00:20:57,740 in the 2019 count. 247 00:21:00,170 --> 00:21:06,370 So in fact, we had five stations, South City, Hayward Park, Belmont, Lawrence, 248 00:21:06,990 --> 00:21:14,650 and Santa Clara that had higher midweek ridership in FY26 than in the 2019 count. Those five 249 00:21:14,650 --> 00:21:19,050 stations weren't in the top 10, but they were among the stations that received the highest 250 00:21:20,590 --> 00:21:27,630 increases in service with electrification. So similar to our weekend system wide ridership, 251 00:21:27,630 --> 00:21:31,630 We're seeing a strong link between the weekday service levels and the ridership recovery. 252 00:21:34,100 --> 00:21:38,460 So I mentioned that special events were a big driver of ridership this fiscal year. 253 00:21:39,040 --> 00:21:45,140 The most significant special event is our is giant schemes in terms of significance to 254 00:21:45,140 --> 00:21:45,680 our ridership. 255 00:21:46,140 --> 00:21:53,220 So you can see that in the column to the right of this table, we get a 10 to 15% bump in overall 256 00:21:53,220 --> 00:21:55,600 system-wide ridership when the giants play at home. 257 00:21:57,710 --> 00:22:01,690 And of course, we have tons of other special events that contribute to our ridership. 258 00:22:01,850 --> 00:22:05,650 Just wanted to show that table with the Giants because it's the biggest ridership bump. 259 00:22:06,470 --> 00:22:11,450 But our corridor is home to more major sports teams than any other single rail line in the 260 00:22:11,450 --> 00:22:11,810 country. 261 00:22:12,610 --> 00:22:17,650 And we're getting another team and a professional women's hockey team in San Jose this 262 00:22:17,650 --> 00:22:17,870 year. 263 00:22:18,650 --> 00:22:24,610 So in fact, a recent customer satisfaction survey found that for 20% of our riders, their 264 00:22:24,610 --> 00:22:27,410 first trip on CalTray and was for a special event. 265 00:22:30,030 --> 00:22:31,810 Then we can just wrap up with a couple 266 00:22:31,810 --> 00:22:36,830 next steps. We'll be posting the annual ridership report on the CalTray and ridership web page 267 00:22:36,830 --> 00:22:42,110 in the next few days. But beyond this annual report, we are still working on getting those 268 00:22:42,110 --> 00:22:48,010 EMU-based APCs configured and validated, so we can use that data for future annual reports. 269 00:22:49,730 --> 00:22:54,610 A pad I can answer questions. Thank you very much for the data, the information, the presentation. 270 00:22:55,170 --> 00:22:56,810 We have two members of the public. 271 00:22:56,910 --> 00:22:58,310 Why don't we hear from them now, please? 272 00:22:59,130 --> 00:23:01,330 Our first speaker is Roland, followed by Adrian Brant. 273 00:23:01,490 --> 00:23:01,690 Roland? 274 00:23:04,370 --> 00:23:06,590 So thank you for the presentation. 275 00:23:07,390 --> 00:23:09,010 And as you correctly pointed out, 276 00:23:09,010 --> 00:23:11,150 I'm doing this without APCs. 277 00:23:11,210 --> 00:23:13,010 It's pretty close to impossible. 278 00:23:14,290 --> 00:23:20,130 If you asked Gemini when I personally started advocating for APCs, 279 00:23:20,290 --> 00:23:24,930 it was back in 2016 when I returned back from Berlin. 280 00:23:24,930 --> 00:23:32,370 and I didn't see just APCs. I actually saw ABCs, automated bicycle counters, and I tested 281 00:23:32,370 --> 00:23:35,950 them. I had a bike, and I pushed it back and forth, used to make sure it was working 282 00:23:35,950 --> 00:23:41,150 and yes it was. And I came back and I reported, I gave CalTrain the name of the supplier, 283 00:23:41,530 --> 00:23:44,450 and here we are ten years later, it still doesn't work. 284 00:23:45,770 --> 00:23:50,210 One thing I really liked is that you say that increasing the number of trains on weekends 285 00:23:50,210 --> 00:23:55,070 increase the ridership. Fantastic. When are you going to start increasing trades going to 286 00:23:55,070 --> 00:24:01,450 gear oil? We got the 160,000 cows going to to a Morgan Hill every day, even though we've got 12 287 00:24:01,450 --> 00:24:09,070 lanes of traffic. And that's it for now. Thank you. Our next speaker is Adrian Brandt. 288 00:24:11,610 --> 00:24:18,290 Yes, thank you. I wanted to sort of tag on to what Roland just said. I think it was two years or 289 00:24:18,290 --> 00:24:26,610 more ago that we at the CEC were being informed happily that the APCs were very close to being 290 00:25:00,000 --> 00:25:25,460 I'm going to say that I was in the service because they're just very important and valuable data that we paid for the equipment. And it's just a real shame. We can't get it going. I know the software vendor went out of business and we have a new one now, but that needs to speed up. And then on the point of ridership. I want to thank me. You did a great presentation for us at the CAC. But I wanted to also remind you and suggest that we go to distance-based fares. We'll get a big ridership jump. 291 00:25:26,020 --> 00:25:32,200 as I'm sure Chair Medina knows if you go from San Bruno to Milbray, you have to pay for two 292 00:25:32,200 --> 00:25:37,480 entire fair zones, and the same person going from Milbray to Sunnyvale pays that same price. 293 00:25:37,800 --> 00:25:43,500 So we need to fix that. Bump our ridership, thank you. There are no further public commenters. 294 00:25:44,100 --> 00:25:48,960 Thank you very much to both the speakers. Bring it back to the committee for any comments 295 00:25:48,960 --> 00:25:58,060 by Sherbert. Thank you. So can we get a deeper update on what is holding back the APCs? 296 00:25:58,880 --> 00:26:05,380 We just heard that I'm not sure if I knew this before that the software vendor had gone out of business 297 00:26:05,960 --> 00:26:13,500 and presumably that was a major factor but can you give us a greater understanding on what's been holding it up 298 00:26:13,500 --> 00:26:16,580 and do we have an anticipated go-live date? 299 00:26:17,700 --> 00:26:21,360 Yeah, we'll be happy to talk about this and I think Sherry's up here just an anticipation 300 00:26:21,360 --> 00:26:21,920 of this. 301 00:26:22,380 --> 00:26:27,180 You know, this is something that we have been keeping an eye on for our fleet. 302 00:26:27,460 --> 00:26:31,360 There are lots of different things we need to focus on, but this is one that we do want 303 00:26:31,360 --> 00:26:36,660 to make sure that's in place because we think it'll just be a big added value to us to understand 304 00:26:36,660 --> 00:26:39,240 at a more granular level our ridership. 305 00:26:39,720 --> 00:26:43,800 And so we have not lost track of it, but there has been some challenges along the way, but 306 00:26:43,800 --> 00:26:47,900 But I think we're in a pretty good place today and Jerry can give an update on it. 307 00:26:49,120 --> 00:26:49,860 Happy to do that. 308 00:26:51,280 --> 00:26:52,880 Thanks for bringing this up. 309 00:26:53,060 --> 00:26:59,240 This is the subject that we go through every single week for the last 11 months. 310 00:27:00,640 --> 00:27:06,880 The story behind ABC that is, I want to make sure people get the story correct. 311 00:27:06,880 --> 00:27:15,600 The vendor, San Term, provides the APC, CCTV, NPS, software and firmware for the EMU. 312 00:27:16,080 --> 00:27:19,660 The company is operating from France and India. 313 00:27:20,180 --> 00:27:22,180 They have an office in Montreal. 314 00:27:23,380 --> 00:27:29,440 Starler has very difficult time to get that attention, fix the software problem over quite 315 00:27:29,440 --> 00:27:30,640 a long period of time. 316 00:27:31,420 --> 00:27:37,840 In cloud chain, we have to think about the long-term solution in the product because after 317 00:27:37,840 --> 00:27:43,960 warranty period, we will end up with the systems, be able to work with some vendor that 318 00:27:43,960 --> 00:27:48,200 is accessible and also the product is reliable as the key. 319 00:27:48,940 --> 00:27:54,980 So after management decision, we force hand to try to look into a different permanent solution 320 00:27:54,980 --> 00:27:58,700 for the software that is the change of the product vendor. 321 00:27:58,700 --> 00:28:06,040 Now, Syntai is part of the acquired, is the style of right now, it's a German engineer 322 00:28:06,040 --> 00:28:12,900 coming from the software who's reliable, and also it's not coming from the other, the 323 00:28:12,900 --> 00:28:13,520 someone built. 324 00:28:13,680 --> 00:28:19,160 It's really already proven that product is working with the other entities. 325 00:28:19,820 --> 00:28:27,280 So we just tested the software of APC and CCTV on train number seven, a couple of days ago. 326 00:28:27,280 --> 00:28:29,920 The test of software is successful. 327 00:28:30,460 --> 00:28:35,380 We are working on the data to push it toward the wayside for the report out. 328 00:28:35,620 --> 00:28:37,860 So Nick eventually is being able to use it. 329 00:28:38,380 --> 00:28:40,840 We are actually doing the next week on troubleshooting. 330 00:28:41,420 --> 00:28:46,520 The plan to roll out APC and CCTV is through the entire fleet in October. 331 00:28:47,640 --> 00:28:52,300 Now, PIS is a little bit different story because we need to access the software 332 00:28:52,300 --> 00:29:01,820 from the vendor of Santa. So Starlet through the legal route just recently received the software before we can modify. So that is the solution we've done. 333 00:29:01,960 --> 00:29:04,520 Permanent will are the March of 2020 seven. 334 00:29:06,340 --> 00:29:10,360 Here is the full story and live data of the project team. 335 00:29:13,350 --> 00:29:19,850 As we all know, when we were going through the electrification program, it really took elevating. 336 00:29:21,690 --> 00:29:30,870 The concerns not only through full court press from our staff, but engaging the board for 337 00:29:30,870 --> 00:29:32,930 political pressure on the vendors. 338 00:29:33,610 --> 00:29:42,590 This is a smaller issue, but if we can't get the attention of the vendor, I think it would 339 00:29:42,590 --> 00:29:48,250 like to understand this better because we really, I haven't understood what the problems 340 00:29:48,250 --> 00:29:54,170 were and whether there is any way that we can assist in getting the attention that we 341 00:29:54,170 --> 00:29:54,710 to serve. 342 00:29:57,100 --> 00:29:59,960 You know, if I could add one thing to that and it's fair and we'll make sure- 343 00:30:07,900 --> 00:30:08,840 Okay. 344 00:30:12,480 --> 00:30:29,940 And then my other question, as we're looking at at the ridership growth, we really keep looking at at our weekday ridership, our weekend ridership, but we've radically changed our schedule. 345 00:30:29,940 --> 00:30:35,600 And one of the things that I keep asking for and haven't been seeing is the comparison 346 00:30:35,600 --> 00:30:37,680 of peak hour ridership. 347 00:30:37,860 --> 00:30:42,520 Now, I saw that it was AM, is that, did I understand that acronym correctly? 348 00:30:42,740 --> 00:30:47,680 It was AM weekday was one of the key metrics. 349 00:30:48,180 --> 00:30:48,340 Yes. 350 00:30:48,560 --> 00:30:53,700 So, AM in this context is average midweek ridership, so AM- 351 00:30:53,700 --> 00:30:54,760 Average midweek. 352 00:30:54,900 --> 00:30:55,140 Okay. 353 00:30:55,140 --> 00:31:04,720 Yeah, so we don't have time of day information from the fair media sales model, which this report gets all of its data from so without 354 00:31:06,280 --> 00:31:17,800 segmenting the peak our ridership difference of now versus pre-COVID. We really are misunderstanding how much of the ridership growth is related to 355 00:31:17,800 --> 00:31:25,380 to our change in schedules and our expanded off-hour schedules versus what's actually recovering 356 00:31:25,380 --> 00:31:31,960 organically in the system by our commuters, our historic primary ridership. 357 00:31:32,780 --> 00:31:40,080 And I really want to emphasize that that is important for us to analyze in part because 358 00:31:40,080 --> 00:31:45,340 it gives us indications of what we're hearing anecdotally, which is express trains at peak 359 00:31:45,340 --> 00:31:51,340 hours are getting full again. So what point in time is it going to trigger the need for 360 00:31:51,340 --> 00:31:58,460 that fifth train or even a sixth train. But really even independent from that, understanding 361 00:31:58,460 --> 00:32:03,840 what's happening in our, who are our customers and how are they using our system. And if we 362 00:32:03,840 --> 00:32:11,000 aren't comparing that peak hour to peak hour versus the overall ridership gains, we're 363 00:32:11,000 --> 00:32:17,400 not understanding the data well. So I really want to emphasize that. I've been asking for it 364 00:32:17,400 --> 00:32:27,460 for a while and I'm going to pound on that and ask again because I think it's very important. 365 00:32:27,920 --> 00:32:34,920 Lastly, do you have any, I appreciate the report is FY26, but I'm just curious how the 366 00:32:34,920 --> 00:32:36,860 train continued in July and August. 367 00:32:39,230 --> 00:32:43,230 Yeah, it continued. It was almost like a 368 00:32:43,230 --> 00:32:49,510 near-image in July and August 1.3 million total monthly rides for those two 369 00:32:49,510 --> 00:32:55,930 months. I think June of FY 26 was just under 1.3 million. And I had seen 370 00:32:55,930 --> 00:33:01,270 maybe a slide that was that the slide that you had the line graph on a slide eight 371 00:33:01,270 --> 00:33:14,750 or what. I was looking at pre-COVID that actually there was a decline, let's see. So we only have, 372 00:33:15,970 --> 00:33:30,470 we only have, oh yeah, so 2019, we see that June went down from May and July and August were 373 00:33:30,470 --> 00:33:35,130 down a little bit. So when I'm just trying to compare month to month and where we are, 374 00:33:35,390 --> 00:33:41,530 it looks promising that not only by being flat in July and August, that may represent 375 00:33:41,530 --> 00:33:49,110 actually an underlying growth, and we'll see as we continue through the year, but thanks 376 00:33:49,110 --> 00:33:49,710 for that update. 377 00:33:53,820 --> 00:34:03,920 I think Dr. Berk had Kate on sharing as far as us being kept abreast of what is happening 378 00:34:03,920 --> 00:34:15,000 So that if we can assist in any way as I think I'll say we did in the other example you gave and I think that's important and so I would appreciate that as well. 379 00:34:16,180 --> 00:34:16,700 Thanks. 380 00:34:17,160 --> 00:34:17,600 Thank you. 381 00:34:17,840 --> 00:34:24,060 This was an informational item that will move us on to item number nine, receive update on past forward program, please. 382 00:34:41,160 --> 00:34:45,700 Good afternoon Chair Medina and members of the top committee. My name is Bella Conferty, 383 00:34:45,860 --> 00:34:49,880 government and community affairs specialist and today I am here to present an update on 384 00:34:49,880 --> 00:34:55,560 the past forward program. So beginning with a quick program refresher, through past forward 385 00:34:55,560 --> 00:34:59,740 we distribute unused go passes to nonprofit organizations serving 386 00:35:12,220 --> 00:35:22,940 We also rely heavily on our nonprofit partners to serve as conduits to the community, allowing them to identify eligible individuals and conduct direct outreach to the people that they serve. 387 00:35:22,940 --> 00:35:24,040 So, 388 00:35:26,200 --> 00:35:29,260 over the last year we've made a number of improvements to the program. 389 00:35:29,840 --> 00:35:34,220 Most of these improvements have focused on helping organizations identify people who 390 00:35:34,220 --> 00:35:39,240 are most likely to actively use the past, as well as giving riders tools and resources 391 00:35:39,240 --> 00:35:41,360 they need to help navigate the CalTrain system. 392 00:35:41,840 --> 00:35:47,780 We also established a usage goal for organizations of at least eight rides per month per copast 393 00:35:47,780 --> 00:35:51,140 use, which is roughly equivalent to one round trip per week. 394 00:35:51,140 --> 00:35:56,620 We saw an average of nearly 18 rides per past per month, which was well above our goal, 395 00:35:57,160 --> 00:36:01,980 and suggested that the improvements that we made are really helping us connect passes 396 00:36:01,980 --> 00:36:04,340 with riders who are actively using the system. 397 00:36:05,800 --> 00:36:09,900 So here's just a quick overview of some of our key programs statistics. 398 00:36:10,600 --> 00:36:13,660 At the top, you'll see Palo Alto TMA and Commute.org. 399 00:36:14,000 --> 00:36:17,380 Those are currently our organizations with the largest number of passes. 400 00:36:17,380 --> 00:36:23,220 I also want to highlight full picture justice and life moves which are two newest organizations. 401 00:36:25,890 --> 00:36:35,390 So going into program demographics, as I mentioned earlier, we use the California Department of Housing and Community Development State Income Limits as our guideline for determining eligibility. 402 00:36:36,030 --> 00:36:39,530 However, the majority of our participants fall well below that threshold. 403 00:36:40,190 --> 00:36:45,090 The average household income among our participants is approximately 44,000 per year. 404 00:36:45,090 --> 00:36:50,130 really highlighting the need or the level of need among the communities that we're serving. 405 00:36:52,160 --> 00:36:58,280 So looking at this data, you'll see that participants are well distributed across the three counties. 406 00:36:58,960 --> 00:37:05,220 And we're really reaching communities throughout the Caltrain corridor, rather than just being concentrated in one particular area. 407 00:37:06,820 --> 00:37:13,320 And so for our final demographic slide here is a breakdown of ethnicities of those who participate in the program. 408 00:37:13,320 --> 00:37:23,020 And finally just want to say we've received a lot of positive feedback on the program, both from users as well as our organizational partners. 409 00:37:23,600 --> 00:37:27,440 And we're looking forward to continuing to expand access to the CalTrain system. 410 00:37:33,030 --> 00:37:35,290 Thank you very much for the report and the information. 411 00:37:35,850 --> 00:37:38,190 We have one speaker and we can hear that person now please. 412 00:37:39,910 --> 00:37:42,740 Adrian Brandt. 413 00:37:42,780 --> 00:37:48,020 Yes, I want to compliment staff on improving the past utilization rate. 414 00:37:48,020 --> 00:37:52,120 I recall, again, this is probably about two years ago, I can't remember. 415 00:37:52,260 --> 00:37:58,000 I think it was Melissa Jones presented this program to the CAC and at that time there 416 00:37:58,000 --> 00:38:04,800 were meteor statistics in the slide deck that revealed that a great number of the passes 417 00:38:04,800 --> 00:38:11,720 were barely being used at all and I know I commented on that at that time and it sounds 418 00:38:11,720 --> 00:38:19,120 like from the verbal presentation that staff has made great strides in improving the cost 419 00:38:19,120 --> 00:38:25,700 effectiveness or the value of redistributing these passes because it obviously does no good 420 00:38:25,700 --> 00:38:31,400 if people just accept them because they're free and then leave them on the bureau or whatever 421 00:38:31,400 --> 00:38:38,580 and don't use them. So I just would encourage also to continue keeping those type of statistics in 422 00:38:38,580 --> 00:38:43,600 your slide deck instead of just only verbally so that everyone can see and track that and 423 00:38:43,600 --> 00:38:48,440 you can show off your progress. Thank you. There are no further public commenters. Thank you. 424 00:38:48,600 --> 00:38:53,280 Any questions or comments? Director Walton. Thank you Chairman. Just a quick question. How are 425 00:38:53,280 --> 00:38:58,400 we advertising the program and letting people know it exists? Yeah, so from a CalTrain perspective, 426 00:38:58,860 --> 00:39:04,180 we do a lot of direct outreach and advocacy to organizations. So a lot of potential partner 427 00:39:04,180 --> 00:39:09,300 organizations as well as the organizations that we are already partnered with, and one of our 428 00:39:09,300 --> 00:39:14,240 initiatives over the past year has been really to provide those organizations with the tools and 429 00:39:14,240 --> 00:39:20,320 resources to outreach to people in their communities that they think will reach them best. So we provided 430 00:39:20,320 --> 00:39:28,120 videos, how to ride guides, social media information, CalTrain, branding information, and we've had a 431 00:39:28,120 --> 00:39:32,500 lot of kind of one-on-one meetings with our partner organizations to help brainstorm with them, 432 00:39:32,500 --> 00:39:34,480 and how can you best reach your communities. 433 00:39:35,140 --> 00:39:37,260 And I think that's one benefit to us having 434 00:39:37,260 --> 00:39:38,880 this network of partner organizations 435 00:39:38,880 --> 00:39:41,760 is they do have the resources to really be boots 436 00:40:04,430 --> 00:40:31,710 Thank you. Well, first, it's a great program. So I have just a few questions. What portion of the available passes are being distributed? Yeah, so let me see if I can pull up the exact numbers. So we currently have 33,000 available passes and 17,000 passes that are allocated to our current order. 437 00:40:31,710 --> 00:40:44,630 organizations and that is one thing that we've been really focusing on as well is what some of our organizations we lower their past allocation to make sure that they were able to distribute all of the passes that we're giving them. 438 00:40:44,730 --> 00:40:51,790 So 33,000 available and 17,000 have been distributed so we have to understand that right. 439 00:40:51,790 --> 00:40:57,970 Yes, we currently have the 13 or 33,000 that we could distribute in the future and 17,000 440 00:40:57,970 --> 00:40:58,990 that are currently out. 441 00:40:58,990 --> 00:40:59,290 Okay. 442 00:40:59,610 --> 00:41:01,350 Well, that's really interesting. 443 00:41:01,980 --> 00:41:08,750 As you mentioned, our Palo Alto Transportation Management Association is one of the key 444 00:41:09,730 --> 00:41:10,350 distributors. 445 00:41:10,930 --> 00:41:16,290 But this goes into our city partnership program and I don't think we mention this in our 446 00:41:16,290 --> 00:41:22,770 city partnership program that here we have these passes that can go to different organizations 447 00:41:22,770 --> 00:41:32,730 whether it's a local TMA or otherwise. In Palo Alto, our TMA provides VTA smart passes or 448 00:41:32,730 --> 00:41:41,810 CalTrain, GO passes or bicycles, whatever we meet the needs of the lower income service 449 00:41:41,810 --> 00:41:49,950 workers in our community. And so, whereas the percentage of residents from Palo Alto is not so high, 450 00:41:51,510 --> 00:41:56,570 it would be very interesting to see what percentage of workers are there. Do you know what portion 451 00:41:56,570 --> 00:42:02,810 of the passes are being distributed by PAPMA? So they currently have 400 allocated passes. 452 00:42:03,050 --> 00:42:07,290 Okay. So cities up and down the corridor might have different 453 00:42:09,690 --> 00:42:14,330 sponsors and you have a bunch of them that you're already working with. I just 454 00:42:14,330 --> 00:42:23,210 think that we want to make sure that it's known by all the cities that these 455 00:42:23,210 --> 00:42:28,810 are available and it's a great program for low-income workers. We heard from 456 00:42:28,810 --> 00:42:38,010 are when we were looking at curtailing funding for our pat mud during COVID years, really 457 00:42:38,010 --> 00:42:40,970 because we no longer had a parking problem downtown. 458 00:42:41,550 --> 00:42:48,110 We heard from retailers and they said, no, before this program, we had such a high turnover 459 00:42:48,110 --> 00:42:49,210 in service workers. 460 00:42:49,770 --> 00:42:53,530 And once they have a pass, our employee retention went way up. 461 00:42:53,530 --> 00:43:00,370 And that is so valuable for all of our downtowns and economic development and so valuable for the workers. 462 00:43:01,330 --> 00:43:08,390 So I think that we should include that in our city partnership program. 463 00:43:10,190 --> 00:43:17,970 And then the other thing is we're receiving these passes from donor companies and entities. 464 00:43:17,970 --> 00:43:26,230 days. Do we give accolades to them in a public way? I mean, they're supporting, basically 465 00:43:26,230 --> 00:43:31,690 they're supporting low-income workers and writers. And they deserve credit for that. 466 00:43:33,250 --> 00:43:39,530 And we don't need more donations, but either way, I think it's a good thing that they would 467 00:43:39,530 --> 00:43:41,070 could take pride in, 468 00:43:43,190 --> 00:43:47,050 and I'd encourage us to do that. 469 00:43:50,600 --> 00:43:55,000 And then I think that, 470 00:43:57,910 --> 00:44:03,170 yeah, oh, just that utilization rate that Adrian Brant brought 471 00:44:03,170 --> 00:44:03,470 up. 472 00:44:04,070 --> 00:44:06,790 Do we have current data on the utilization rate? 473 00:44:08,210 --> 00:44:13,110 Yes, I don't have it in front of me at the moment, but I am happy to send it over, but 474 00:44:13,110 --> 00:44:15,670 it has significantly increased over the past two years. 475 00:44:15,990 --> 00:44:16,230 Oh, good. 476 00:44:16,730 --> 00:44:17,030 Good. 477 00:44:17,550 --> 00:44:17,830 Great. 478 00:44:18,130 --> 00:44:20,130 Well, that's all very encouraging. 479 00:44:20,130 --> 00:44:23,690 I just kind of trying to think through how we can 480 00:44:23,690 --> 00:44:26,410 make this even more successful, because it's a great program. 481 00:44:26,930 --> 00:44:27,170 Thanks. 482 00:44:28,570 --> 00:44:30,850 Thank you, again, for all the information 483 00:44:30,850 --> 00:44:32,670 and having all that data before you 484 00:44:32,670 --> 00:44:34,270 and answering our questions. 485 00:44:34,890 --> 00:44:37,870 This was an informational item, so we will move on to item 10, 486 00:44:38,830 --> 00:44:42,250 the last item, receive update on Guadalupe River Bridge 487 00:44:42,250 --> 00:44:43,990 project August 2026. 488 00:44:47,560 --> 00:44:52,720 Good afternoon. It's me again. This is our regular update for the 489 00:44:52,720 --> 00:44:55,120 the quadrupe and weather bridge budget. 490 00:44:57,050 --> 00:44:57,650 Here we go. 491 00:45:01,070 --> 00:45:30,590 So this is a typical slide. You have seen many times about the project scope. Since last time we met, we all know we started the second dry season at the June 15th. We are three weeks away, finished the construction in October was the deadline for the second dry season. So far, we finished the empty one, all the bridge erection work. 492 00:45:30,590 --> 00:45:36,270 It is actually ready for UP, UP installation that track, as we speak. 493 00:45:37,010 --> 00:45:43,690 We've pulled the last concrete foundation for the MT2 Retrofit in August, right now wrapping 494 00:45:43,690 --> 00:45:46,390 up MT2 Retrofit work, as we speak. 495 00:45:46,950 --> 00:45:52,030 River channel expansion was also a major item for the season 2 work. 496 00:45:52,030 --> 00:46:02,270 With such a congested job site, we're very proud of the great safety record, almost 88,000 497 00:46:02,270 --> 00:46:09,810 construction job hours through August, starting the reconstruction in 2025, known OSHA 498 00:46:09,810 --> 00:46:10,750 report of incidents. 499 00:46:11,330 --> 00:46:15,510 So we hope we have those great records keep through the end of the project. 500 00:46:16,410 --> 00:46:20,910 We hosted FTA and the Resource Agency site tour a few weeks ago. 501 00:46:20,910 --> 00:46:23,410 It was a very successful event. 502 00:46:24,490 --> 00:46:27,030 On-site HMP work has been started. 503 00:46:28,230 --> 00:46:32,070 And the off-site HIPS Creek restoration work, 504 00:46:32,250 --> 00:46:33,970 we have finished the final design. 505 00:46:34,190 --> 00:46:36,470 We're applying the permit right now. 506 00:46:37,390 --> 00:46:40,230 And after that, we are going for a bit. 507 00:46:40,890 --> 00:46:44,170 The work will be happening in the dry season of 2027. 508 00:46:44,790 --> 00:46:49,530 We continue hold monthly and quarterly status before with the permit agency, including FTA. 509 00:46:49,530 --> 00:46:54,810 later on slides, I will describe the detail on the commercial side of this project. 510 00:46:55,870 --> 00:47:02,190 Here is a picture that we had cycled with FTA and the Water Board and the CDF and the 511 00:47:02,190 --> 00:47:07,390 Lally Water. This is a really fun event for everyone. 512 00:47:07,650 --> 00:47:12,270 Not only people remember what happened two years ago, but most important is really 513 00:47:12,270 --> 00:47:17,290 demonstrate the great result of this project so far through the collaboration 514 00:47:17,290 --> 00:47:19,690 with all the resource agency and the FDA. 515 00:47:21,010 --> 00:47:23,990 Here's a picture of summer of 2026. 516 00:47:24,950 --> 00:47:27,830 Here is the MT1 bridge structure with the deck. 517 00:47:28,210 --> 00:47:32,230 As you can tell, it's a completely different look of the bead bridge of MT1. 518 00:47:33,490 --> 00:47:39,370 Here is the stream restoration and the etchantment rework installation is going on right now. 519 00:47:41,470 --> 00:47:42,750 Here's the project schedule. 520 00:47:43,250 --> 00:47:44,750 I believe we're confident. 521 00:47:44,750 --> 00:47:52,930 The October of 15, they will be met and the wet season planting for HMP work also will 522 00:47:52,930 --> 00:47:57,810 be on schedule of February 9th and substantial completion is still intact. 523 00:47:59,210 --> 00:48:04,590 The total project cost is still with the same amount of $171 million. 524 00:48:05,930 --> 00:48:13,030 Right now, we are doing the staffing update to ensure the project closeout phase with the 525 00:48:13,030 --> 00:48:16,150 right resource supported, as well as other HMP work. 526 00:48:16,870 --> 00:48:20,110 So in next month, during the top committee meeting, 527 00:48:20,550 --> 00:48:24,030 we will give you the latest updated total project cost. 528 00:48:24,610 --> 00:48:27,470 I believe the target within the budget 529 00:48:27,800 --> 00:48:30,030 will are very confident that we're gonna achieve that. 530 00:48:30,710 --> 00:48:35,030 In channel work incentive will be pretty much earned 531 00:48:35,030 --> 00:48:40,850 by Wash the Builder, which will be the $540,000. 532 00:48:40,850 --> 00:48:45,650 dollars if they finish everything in China work by mid-October. 533 00:48:47,030 --> 00:48:48,710 Here is the contingency draw. 534 00:48:49,910 --> 00:48:56,030 So far we still have $8.8 million within the project contingency as part of the $171 million 535 00:48:56,030 --> 00:48:57,410 total project cost. 536 00:48:57,790 --> 00:49:05,630 It is important to note it within the $8.8 million half of them is allocated to a washes contract. 537 00:49:05,630 --> 00:49:10,290 to anticipate the potential changes and all the risk that we've been through, 538 00:49:10,710 --> 00:49:18,030 not only the first dry season, the second dry season, as well as all the work associated with H&T outside work. 539 00:49:18,730 --> 00:49:27,670 As of August, $3.8 million has been drawn from the $4 million total wage style vision or regional contract value. 540 00:49:28,630 --> 00:49:57,650 We are working with WASH right now and try to get a commitment not only what is the potential allowance draw for the entire second dry season as well as looking forward to make sure all the trend of cost that needs to be commonly the change in terms of the HMPP work as well as all the other area like I'm going to go through some of the risk item that why the cost of the risk of the risk. 541 00:49:57,650 --> 00:49:59,390 allowance required to be increased. 542 00:50:00,000 --> 00:50:29,560 Increase on the fuel cost. Other stuff like hazardous waste volume of the soil contamination work going on at the job site right now. So next month, we're going to provide a full extent of the total risk pool allowance item. The washes change order will be executed with approval from the ED to increase the contract value to cover all the potential changes for the entire work. The reason for doing that. 543 00:50:29,560 --> 00:50:37,780 is really trying to proactively control the changes within the contract and without having 544 00:50:37,780 --> 00:50:45,460 especially most larger experience that when the project is getting close, especially the end 545 00:50:45,460 --> 00:50:51,780 of the construction, you're going to hit a lot of change orders and now we end up with reactive 546 00:50:51,780 --> 00:50:58,000 to deal with and also potential claims. In order to not do that is really proactively 547 00:50:58,000 --> 00:51:02,180 put everything on the table and negotiate and seal the deal ahead of time. 548 00:51:04,270 --> 00:51:07,910 Here at the risk, you are very familiar with where continue the lessons learned. 549 00:51:09,030 --> 00:51:15,790 The fight tough for our management is the requirement for the entire project until we finish 550 00:51:15,790 --> 00:51:17,370 every work outside. 551 00:51:18,250 --> 00:51:21,330 In the second dry season, we still encounter the bird nesting. 552 00:51:21,330 --> 00:51:29,490 The fuel cost increase is new item for this second dry season is because of the current 553 00:51:29,490 --> 00:51:34,030 condition right now where we are facing with the war and everything else. 554 00:51:34,650 --> 00:51:38,130 The cost of the fuel is just significant. 555 00:51:39,820 --> 00:51:44,810 The hazardous waste volume, as I mentioned before, we are constantly working with the construction 556 00:51:44,810 --> 00:51:47,050 productivity with the permit condition. 557 00:51:47,050 --> 00:51:50,930 The last item is really about HMP credit. 558 00:51:51,330 --> 00:51:53,490 We are waiting for our water boards. 559 00:51:54,110 --> 00:51:58,250 We pre-packed our water at the Higgs Creek side of restoration 560 00:51:58,250 --> 00:52:00,850 will be adequate for the entire mitigation effort. 561 00:52:02,370 --> 00:52:04,130 Here's the upcoming activity. 562 00:52:04,450 --> 00:52:06,790 We're going to finish the dry season strong 563 00:52:06,790 --> 00:52:10,730 and finish the river channel whitening effort 564 00:52:10,730 --> 00:52:15,110 and we were moving continues on HMP onsite work. 565 00:52:15,110 --> 00:52:19,430 At UP's work on the track installation is projected, 566 00:52:19,610 --> 00:52:22,410 will be complete by October 15th, 567 00:52:22,410 --> 00:52:25,230 as we committed to all the resource agency, 568 00:52:26,190 --> 00:52:28,070 and we are focusing on to implementing 569 00:52:28,070 --> 00:52:30,470 the off-site mitigation effort through permitting 570 00:52:30,470 --> 00:52:33,330 and bidding and ultimately installation 571 00:52:33,330 --> 00:52:35,590 in dry season of 2027. 572 00:52:37,230 --> 00:52:39,410 Here's the end of the presentation. 573 00:52:39,670 --> 00:52:41,670 Happy to answer any questions you may have. 574 00:52:42,090 --> 00:52:42,990 Thank you very much. 575 00:52:43,170 --> 00:52:44,270 We have one public speaker. 576 00:52:44,270 --> 00:52:47,430 We'll listen to them now and bring it next to Director Walton. 577 00:52:48,650 --> 00:52:49,110 Rowling? 578 00:52:51,960 --> 00:52:52,700 Thank you. 579 00:52:52,940 --> 00:52:57,960 And as you know, I live down there, so I'm going to basically speak from my own perspective. 580 00:52:59,600 --> 00:53:07,120 I can no longer take Highway 87 to go to City Hall because they keep on freezing a lane on Northbound Highway 87. 581 00:53:07,540 --> 00:53:10,160 I've got to take 101, believe it or not to go to City Hall. 582 00:53:10,640 --> 00:53:12,040 I mean, how much fun can that be? 583 00:53:12,040 --> 00:53:17,340 Now, you saw this beautiful bridge one on empty one, right? 584 00:53:18,840 --> 00:53:23,200 Mr. Chair, please pay attention, that bridge is not a culture in bridge. 585 00:53:24,020 --> 00:53:24,460 You know what? 586 00:53:24,740 --> 00:53:26,280 Either we'll never be electrified. 587 00:53:26,800 --> 00:53:28,560 What a beautiful bridge for union Pacific. 588 00:53:29,340 --> 00:53:32,900 Now, we're down to one track down there. 589 00:53:33,480 --> 00:53:36,820 When are we going to restore our dual tracking after electrification? 590 00:53:36,960 --> 00:53:37,620 We lost the track. 591 00:53:37,620 --> 00:53:41,480 where it's breached free day, the way we need to wait for a concession day. 592 00:53:42,220 --> 00:53:46,640 Last but not least, I had a really unpleasant experience recently. 593 00:53:47,400 --> 00:53:49,780 The train had to stop because they were debris on the track. 594 00:53:50,020 --> 00:53:52,840 I know that the contractor did this. 595 00:53:53,080 --> 00:53:58,480 I had to breathe cement or concrete dust for at least 10 minutes sitting on that train. 596 00:53:58,680 --> 00:53:59,000 Thank you. 597 00:54:02,170 --> 00:54:03,290 Thank you, Chairman Dina. 598 00:54:03,570 --> 00:54:04,210 Just one question. 599 00:54:04,370 --> 00:54:07,890 What are some examples of our fuel costs for the project? 600 00:54:07,890 --> 00:54:08,870 The 601 00:54:11,370 --> 00:54:19,570 actual costs that coming from what are we paying for for the project because when 602 00:54:19,570 --> 00:54:25,350 the risk is the increase in fuel costs which we understand but what are we paying for? 603 00:54:26,010 --> 00:54:32,250 I can find that I don't have an exactly dollar from the contractors in my head but the increases 604 00:54:32,250 --> 00:54:40,130 is comparison with the bit by stay at that time back in 2025 versus what they're paying now. 605 00:54:40,410 --> 00:54:46,070 No, understand that quite I understand. What are we using fuel for that we have to pay? 606 00:54:46,650 --> 00:54:47,690 Of the delivery, yeah. 607 00:54:50,160 --> 00:54:52,440 I mean, you want to, I don't understand the question, I'm sorry. 608 00:54:53,560 --> 00:54:58,560 So it shows up actually in like anything's like delivery material as an example, right? So anytime 609 00:54:58,560 --> 00:54:59,900 that contractors are bringing maturity. 610 00:55:07,920 --> 00:55:09,000 Thank you. 611 00:55:14,310 --> 00:55:32,230 All right. This was an informational item. So thank you very much. That will bring us to item 11. Committee member requests. Seeing none at this time. The next top committee meeting will be Wednesday, October 28th at 2026, 130 PM right here. Therefore, this meeting is adjourned.