DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: Amtrak Sunset Limited Service
SUMMARY:
A briefing on a proposed City Council resolution to Amtrak for increased frequency of passenger rail service of the Sunset Limited to daily San Antonio service.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Rail Passengers Association (RPA), formerly known as National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP), is the largest advocacy organization for rail passengers in the United States. In 2018, RPA approached the Mayor’s Office seeking support to increase the frequency of rail service provided by Amtrak on the Sunset Limited route. This route provides passenger service from New Orleans to Los Angeles. Currently, the Sunset Limited stops in San Antonio three days a week. Similar train routes in other areas of the nation run daily. In fact, there is only one other long distance route operated by Amtrak that has triweekly service; the Cardinal which operates in the northeast.
RPA requested the Mayor and City Council approve a resolution calling on Amtrak for increase service to San Antonio on the Sunset Limited route. RPA provided the following items for inclusion in the proposed resolution:
• Sunset Limited is a part of Amtrak’s basic national train network connecting Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.
• These five states have seen a population growth in the counties served by the Sunset Limited route of 22% between the years 2000 and 2016.
• The increasing congestion on the I-10 corridor serving San Antonio needs increased safe, affordable, and reliable alternatives to automobile and air travel.
• A daily stop on the Sunset Limited in San Antonio will enhance connectivity with the existing daily trains such as the Amtrak Texas Eagle service from San Antonio to Chicago and transportation hubs in New Orleans, San Antonio and Los Angeles as well as to the proposed Texas Central Railway line in Dallas.
On September 4, 2018, Mayor Nirenberg provided the RPA’s proposed resolution to Transportation Committee Chair, Councilman Rey Saldana, for consideration and recommendation to City Council.
ISSUE:
Through a preliminary discussion with Amtrak Operations, Transportation & Capital Improvements staff learned the following infrastructure improvements would be needed to increase frequency of the Amtrak Sunset Limited route from triweekly to daily service.
San Antonio Train Station
Located at 350 Hoefgen Street, adjacent to Sunset Station in Council District 2, the San Antonio Train Station lacks adequate parking and interior building space to accommodate increased passengers. The current building has a seating capacity for 45 people. The station is owned by VIA Metropolitan Transit (VIA) and was leased to Zachry Corporation until last year when the leasing rights were sold to REATA Real Estate.
The existing two sets of railroad tracks at the Train Station limit operational ability to move passengers efficiently and safely with the needed multiple trains required for expanded service frequency of Sunset Limited.
Railroad Tracks and Train Station
The Sunset Limited with service from New Orleans to Los Angeles utilizes track owned by Union Pacific Railroad Company (UPRR). The Rail Passenger Service Act of 1970 and subsequent amendments, provides Amtrak with access rights on any railroad tracks in the United States. Amtrak must provide funding for additional track improvements required to accommodate Amtrak’s passenger use beyond those of the railroad track owner/operator. Prior to 2010, Amtrak obtained a preliminary estimate of $850 million from UPRR for necessary railroad track improvements to accommodate for the increased frequency from triweekly to daily service on the Sunset Limited. Additionally, the San Antonio Amtrak Train Station is in need of significant improvements to accommodate increased rider capacity.
ALTERNATIVES:
While a local resolution would be a measure showing support to increase frequency, it would be more beneficial to convene discussions with the other major cities along the Sunset Limited route such as Los Angeles, Phoenix, El Paso, Houston, and New Orleans. Presenting a unified voice to State and Federal delegations to request increased Amtrak frequency would likely initiate a feasibility review by Amtrak. Federal support will be critical for future funding since railroad track improvements will need large amounts of federal funding and grants, in combination with local contributions.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this briefing.
RECOMMENDATION:
There is no action associated with this briefing. At a later Transportation Committee meeting, the Committee could potentially consider forwarding the Resolution to the full City Council for approval.