GEORGIA RAIL PASSENGER PROGRAM (GRPP)
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT TEAM
MINUTES
March 06, 2003
Notice having been duly given, the regular meeting of the Georgia Rail Passenger Program (GRPP), Program Management Team was held.
Sharon Gay, Chair
Steven Bruning
Brad Hubbert
Jimmy Lester
Carl Rhodenizer
Mather Stapleton
*A quorum was present
A motion was made by Mr. Lester and seconded by Mr. Rhodenizer to approve the minutes of the February 6, 2003 meeting. The meeting minutes were approved unanimously.
A motion was made by Mr. Lester and seconded by Mr. Bruning to approve the agenda of the March 6, 2003 meeting. The meeting agenda was approved unanimously.
Mr. Mullins presented the month’s activities:
The FTA grant application for the Macon corridor implementation activities is being flexed through GDOT. FHWA and FTA are expected to review the grant application material and approve the funding over the next couple of months. The Memorandum of Agreement to manage funds and activities between GDOT and GRTA is being reviewed by the GRTA legal staff.
Public hearings for the Athens EA are tentatively planned for April 2003 and the actual dates will be finalized upon FTA approval of the Draft Environmental document. The update of the GRPP riders, revenues, costs, and benefits for both commuter and intercity lines has been finalized. based on input from rail managers. Documentation of the update work to be finalized by early April 2003. Staff has finalized the 2003 GDOT legislative fact sheets for Athens corridor, Macon corridor, and MMPT and will distribute upon request..
There were meetings held with Spalding-Griffin Transportation Committee, City of East Point City Council working group, and Lamar County (March 5th) to review the draft recommendations for grade crossing safety improvements. Meetings with Clayton County, and Henry County are being scheduled to finalize the review of draft recommendations and include them in the Final report. The Final report for Grade Crossing Safety Implementation Plan is expected in Spring 2003.
Planning studies continues on the SEHSR planning study between Charlotte and Atlanta. Coordination and progress meetings were held with other states and FRA on February 20th. This study to look at various improvements was reviewed at 79 mph, 90 mph, and 110 mph alternatives with the Steering Committee. A follow-up meeting with FRA staff to receive comments related to the materials distributed at the January progress meeting was conducted. An update to the Atlanta-Jacksonville Intercity and High-Speed Rail Draft Final Report submitted to GRPA for review and comments was conducted.
Nick Brand, presented an update to the GRPP Riders, Revenues, Costs and Benefits.
Mr. Brand discussed the revenues, operating cost and the benefit if the GRPP service
based on the 1999 and current numbers. 1999 GRPP revenues were based on fares 50% higher than current national average, the 2003 updated figures uses a range of assumptions.
Outlined were the number of riders and the revenue dollars associated with them based on the corridor served. Operating costs are re-estimated based on current cost levels and practices. Mr. Brand presented the implementation schedule and the impact of the transportation environment.
Mr. Brand also discussed how the GRPP service would increase profile of communities and provide focus for livable community initiatives and town center redevelopment. The GRPP service would create various employment opportunities which would result in positive economic activity.
There was discussion as to how other states were able to implement and fund their commuter rail programs and the commitment of the State of Georgia to fund the GRPP service.
Mr. Mullins presented documentation accounting for the past four fiscal years, by project, detailing requested amounts, funding received, the amount in the current STIP, the current budget situation, relative availability of funding for rail consultants, and passenger program management funds.
There was a discussion about available funds and that in the past, some flex flunds which lacked match had been moved to other projects. Mr. Mullins stated there are some federal funds for the Multi-Modal Passenger Terminal (HPP funds), and provided an accounting for bond funds remaining for ’04. Rail program management funds were requested by GDOT for FY04 and staff continues to ask for funds to match earmarks but the Governor did not recommend either of those requests.
Ms. Gay indicated that the information provided did not include how the funds available compare with the projected budget.
Mr. Stapleton asked whether a request to the Appropriations Committee or another funding source had been made to continue the project?
There was discussion on the available dollar amounts and funding sources relative to the specific projects including the Macon Atlanta Grade Crossing and the Multi-modal Passenger Terminal. There also was discussion about the impact of projects once the funds were expended.
Conference Updates
There was discussion about two upcoming conferences: Rail Volution and the APTA Commuter Rail Conference. The Rail conference is scheduled from April 13-16 at the Sheraton Hotel in Chicago and the Rail Volution conference is scheduled for September 10-14, 2003 in Atlanta. Additional information on the conference to be provided at a later date.
Adjournment:
There being no further business to come before the Project Management Team, the meeting adjourned at 2:55 pm.