Rail Operations Support

Program Overview

The Operations Support Branch is responsible for coordinating intercity rail activities with the Joint Powers Authorities (JPAs) that manage Amtrak operations contracts for intercity passenger rail and bus operations, marketing and public outreach on the three existing state supported corridors.

Operations Support is also responsible for monitoring the JPAs to assure compliance with the Interagency Transfer Agreements (ITAs) that govern the JPAs responsibilities.

Coordinate with the JPAs on their administration of the Amtrak train operation agreements includes:

  • Developing contract language that insures consistency with PRIIA Section 209 requirements
  • Coordinating with the JPAs to insure intercity rail passenger and feeder bus agreement meets the State’s statewide coordination and integration needs, the State Rail Plan, and requirements under the ITAs
  • Overseeing JPA contract management and compliance
  • Developing Budget Change Proposals and Finance Letters to support Statewide intercity rail passenger and feeder bus funding
  • Serving as liaison between Caltrans, JPAs and Amtrak for all issues related to statewide intercity train and bus operations
  • Evaluating Statewide intercity rail passenger and feeder bus operations and provide performance assessment through monthly, quarterly, and annual report
  • Working collaboratively through the Statewide Working Group to reverse any negative operations trends
  • Reporting to CalSTA on the corridor Uniform Performance Standards required under the ITAs
  • Reconciling JPA invoicing to ensure compliance with the protocols established in Title 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)-200

Background

On July 1, 2015, Caltrans transferred administration and marketing duties for intercity passenger rail service to the following three JPAs and their respective intercity passenger rail corridors:

These services offer travel to more than 130 destinations in California and parts of Nevada, carrying more than five million passengers annually and helping to improve the state’s air quality and reduce highway congestion and fuel consumption.