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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 6j - Resolution supporting SLOCOG and CRCC for a pilot passengar rail service during the 2028 Olympic Games Item 6j Department: Administration Cost Center: 1001 For Agenda of: 10/6/2026 Placement: Consent Estimated Time: N/A FROM: Greg Hermann, Deputy City Manager Prepared By: Natalie Harnett, Policy and Project Manager SUBJECT: SUPPORT COAST RAIL COORDINATING COUNCIL PILOT TRAIN SERVICE FOR 2028 OLYMPIC GAMES RECOMMENDATION Adopt a Draft Resolution entitled, “A Resolution of the City Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, supporting efforts by the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments and the Coast Rail Coordinating Council to develop and secure funding for a pilot passenger rail service connecting Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, and the San Francisco Bay Area during the 2028 Olympic Games.” POLICY CONTEXT The San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) requested th at member jurisdictions adopt resolutions demonstrating regional support while SLOCOG and the Coast Rail Coordinating Council (CRCC) pursue state and federal funding for a temporary passenger rail pilot during the 2028 Olympic Games. Because this is an advocacy request that is not specifically addressed in the current Legislative Action Platform, the matter is being presented to the City Council for direction. The concept supports City policies encouraging the expansion of mass transportation and public transit options. Adoption of the resolution would also strengthen regional advocacy for outside funding. The resolution is intended to support continued regional planning and funding efforts for the pilot concept and does not constitute City approval of a final service plan. Alignment with City Priorities The proposed pilot rail service aligns with the City Council’s adopted 2025-27 Major City Goals and Work Plan. Under the Infrastructure and Sustainable Transportation Major City Goal, strategies include continuing to implement the Active Transportation Plan; expanding multimodal transportation networks to improve connectivity; advocating for regional financial support; and supporting policies and programs that expand mass transportation and public transit. The proposal is also consistent with the General Plan Circulation Element Chapter 12, which directs the City to support: Page 169 of 274 Item 6j  Increased availability of rail service (Policy 12.1.1);  Regional, state, and federal programs that expand passenger rail service to San Luis Obispo (Policy 12.1.2);  Use of railroad rights-of-way for intercity transportation needs (Policy 12.1.4); and  Maintaining and increasing daily train service connecting San Luis Obispo with destinations to the north and south (Program 12.2.1). By improving regional access, offering an alternative to automobile travel, and supporting visitor activity, the proposal also complements the City’s climate -action and economic- resilience priorities. DISCUSSION Background The CRCC is a coalition of five regional transportation planning agencies that has advocated for improved passenger rail service along the Central Coast for more than 30 years. Its member agencies include:  San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG);  Santa Barbara County Association of Governments;  Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission;  Transportation Agency for Monterey County; and  Ventura County Transportation Commission. In addition to its five member agencies, the CRCC regularly works with other transportation agencies and stakeholders, including the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency and the California Department of Transportation. The CRCC, in collaboration with SLOCOG, is developing a temporary passenger rail pilot for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Existing Pacific Surfliner service connects Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo. The proposed pilot would extend service north from San Luis Obispo toward San Jose and the San Francisco Bay Area, closing the gap between the Pacific Surfliner and Capitol Corridor systems. Additional information regarding the proposed pilot service, including its purpose and preliminary service concept, is provided in the 2028 Olympics Pilot Rail Service Fact Sheet (Attachment B). This concept would provide a coordinated passenger rail connection between Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, and the Bay Area during the Games. The proposed temporary service could improve access to Olympic and Paralympic events, provide additional travel options for residents and visitors, reduce reliance on automobile travel, and demonstrate demand for future regular Central Coast passenger rail service. Current rail infrastructure may accommodate additional service if funding is available for equipment and crews. SLOCOG, regional transportation partners, and the State are developing an operating plan to support funding discussions and negotiations with rail Page 170 of 274 Item 6j operators. The concept remains preliminary, and final operating dates, endpoints, stops, frequency, equipment, fares, and transfer or through-service arrangements have not been established. Regional objectives for the pilot program include improving rail routes, frequency, and schedules for residents, visitors, and commuters while supporting economic activity in coastal communities. The Transportation Agency for Monterey County adopted a supporting resolution on June 24, 2026, and King City approved a resolution on July 14, 2026. Grover Beach adopted a resolution on August 24, 2026, and Paso Robles is scheduled to consider a resol ution in October. SLOCOG has also received resolutions from the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) and several cities within that region. Funding Strategy The CRCC is seeking approximately $2 million to $15 million in state or federal funding for planning, equipment, capital, and operating costs associated with the pilot service. The funding strategy may include state budget requests, federal earmarks, and other programs connected to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The CRCC is also advocating for continued funding of the Capitol Corridor and Los Angeles–San Diego–San Luis Obispo rail corridors. Pacific Surfliner’s recently added third round-trip, operating as a pilot service, is currently funded only through June 2027, and additional funding will be needed for it to continue through the 2028 Games. A resolution from the City would strengthen the CRCC’s request for state and federal support. The resolution would express nonspecific support for the pilot and would not commit City funding or require the City to participate financially in implementation. Previous Council or Advisory Body Action The City Council has not previously taken action specifically endorsing the proposed 2028 pilot service, but the City is a member of SLOCOG, the joint powers agency designated as the Metropolitan Planning Organization and Regional Transportation Planning Agency for San Luis Obispo County. SLOCOG coordinates regional transportation planning, programs state and federal transportation funds, and advocates for transportation matters extending beyond individual jurisdictions. On January 13, 2026 the City Council approved its liaison assignments and designated Mayor Erica A. Stewart as the City’s representative to the SLOCOG Board. Public Engagement Members of the public will have an opportunity to provide comments on this item at the City Council meeting. Written comments may also be submitted in accordance with the City’s standard public-comment procedures. Page 171 of 274 Item 6j CONCURRENCE Public Works/Transportation staff support the service concept. SLOCOG requested the resolution and is leading regional development of the concept. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) does not apply to the recommended action in this report because the action does not constitute a “Project” under CEQA guidelines Section 15378. FISCAL IMPACT Budgeted: Yes Budget Year: 2026-27 Funding Identified: Yes Fiscal Analysis: Funding Sources Total Budget Available Current Funding Request Remaining Balance Annual Ongoing Cost General Fund N/A N/A N/A N/A State Federal Fees Other: Total N/A N/A N/A N/A Adoption of the resolution has no direct fiscal impact. Future planning, capital, and operating costs would depend on state, federal, and regional funding actions. Adoption would not commit City funds or obligate the City to participate financially. ALTERNATIVES 1. Do not adopt the resolution. The Council may choose not to support the funding and service-planning effort for improved Central Coast passenger rail connectivity. 2. Modify the resolution. Council could revise the scope or terms of its support and provide that direction to staff. ATTACHMENTS A. Draft Resolution Supporting CRCC Pilot Train Service During the 2028 Olympic Games B. 2028 Olympics Pilot Rail Service Fact Sheet Page 172 of 274 R ______ RESOLUTION NO. _____ (2026 SERIES) A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO DEVELOP AND SECURE FUNDING FOR A PILOT PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE CONNECTING LOS ANGELES, SAN LUIS OBISPO, AND THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA DURING THE 2028 OLYMPIC GAMES WHEREAS, the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be hosted in the Los Angeles region, with events also planned in other California metropolitan areas; and WHEREAS, the 2028 Olympics Games attract millions of domestic and international tourists that will choose to take rail or air service between southern and northern California; and WHEREAS, the Coast Rail Coordinating Council (CRCC) is a coalition of the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG), Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission, Transportation Agency for Monterey County, and Ventura County Transportation Commission that supports and advances expanded passenger and freight rail service along the Central Coast; and WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo is a member of SLOCOG, which serves as the Metropolitan Planning Organization and Regional Transportation Planning Agency for San Luis Obispo County and coordinates regional transportation planning, funding, and advocacy; and WHEREAS, a gap in state-supported passenger rail service currently exists between San Luis Obispo and San Jose, separating the Pacific Surfl iner and Capitol Corridor systems; and WHEREAS, the CRCC and SLOCOG are developing a preliminary service concept and identifying the planning, equipment, capital, and operating funding that would be needed for a temporary pilot passenger rail service during the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games; and WHEREAS, continued funding of the Capitol Corridor and Los Angeles – San Diego–San Luis Obispo corridor business plans beyond June 2027 is necessary to maintain state supported passenger rail service and support the proposed pilot; and WHEREAS, the proposed pilot could provide additional transportation options for residents and visitors, improve regional connectivity, and demonstrate the potential for future regular passenger rail service along the Central Coast; and WHEREAS, support for expanded passenger rail service is consistent with the City Council’s adopted Infrastructure and Sustainable Transportation priorities and the Page 173 of 274 Resolution No. _____ (2026 Series) Page 2 R ______ General Plan Circulation Element’s policies supporting increased passenger rail service to destinations north and south of San Luis Obispo; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo as follows: SECTION 1. The City of San Luis Obispo supports efforts by the Coast Rail Coordinating Council to provide a “pilot” passenger train service between Los Angeles - San Luis Obispo-San Francisco Bay Area during the 2028 Olympics Games. AYES: NOES: ABSENT: The foregoing resolution was adopted this _____ day of _______________ 20 26. ___________________________ Mayor Erica A. Stewart ATTEST: ______________________ Teresa Purrington City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: ______________________ J. Christine Dietrick City Attorney IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and aff ixed the official seal of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, on ______________________. ___________________________ Teresa Purrington City Clerk Page 174 of 274 The Summer Olympics are coming to Los Angeles in July 2028 and are expected to host athletes and visitors from around the world. Without direct intercity passenger rail service between Los Angeles and the Bay Area, California would be ill-positioned to capitalize on the sudden infiux of economic opportunities generated by tourism during this major event. The Coast Rail Coordinating Council (CRCC) is proposing a temporary state-supported, limited-stop rail connection between Oakland and San Luis Obispo which could run between June and August of 2028. There are minimal infrastructure needs and the Paciflc Surfiiner train would provide a convenient mid-day transfer point in San Luis Obispo for travelers seeking transportation down to the 2028 Olympic Games in Southern California. Altogether, the California rail and transit network stands to beneflt in the short- and long-term by implementation of a pilot service which previews future regular Central Coast passenger rail service. This temporary service offers an alternative to statewide travel for those seeking to experience the unrivaled scenery and culture of Coastal California while also lessening traffic congestion on highways and around Southern California's airports. www.slocog.org/crcc Proposed Service Timetable OKJ (Oakland Jack London); SJC (San Jose Diridon); SNS (Salinas); PRB (Paso Robles); SLO (San Luis Obispo); GTA (Goleta); SBA (Santa Barbara); CPN (Carpinteria); VEC (Ventura): OXN (Oxnard); CML (Camarillo); MPK (Moorpark); LAX (LA Union Station) 2.3 million people live along the Central Coast 2.1 million riders annually on the Paciflc Surfiiner 4.4 million French tourists during the 2024 Paris Olympics 87 % of spectators at the 2024 Paris Olympics used public transport, bikes, scooters, or walked Page 175 of 274 www.slocog.org/crcc Steps for Implementation A 3-month temporary pilot service between Oakland and San Luis Obispo is expected to cost approximately $2-15 million. A state or federal earmark is the flrst step to move forward with implementation. State or Federal Earmark A service operation plan will be drafted and will further reflne operational, governance, capital, coordination, and other needs. It will also involve operational modeling work. Service Operation Plan An operator will need to be identifled, likely within the service operation plan. Operator Support A funding agreement is necessary between the identifled operator and the sponsor agency. Funding Agreement The pilot service will require a short-term operating agreement between the managing agency for this pilot service and Amtrak. A separate agreement will be drafted with Union Paciflc Railroad for temporary track access. Short-Term Operating Agreement One trainset will be leased or purchased to support one daily roundtrip of service between Oakland (OKJ) and San Luis Obispo (SLO). If purchased, equipment can be added to the statewide rail fieet reserve after the pilot service ends. Equipment Lease or Purchase Due to daily long-distance passenger rail services and intermittent freight traffic, testing is likely needed prior to service launch in June 2028. Service Testing To support and advance transformative passenger and freight rail growth on the Central Coast by collaborating on expanded services and increased frequencies. CRCC Mission Statement https://la28.org/en.html Current Need The CRCC will seek to secure approximately $2-15 million for capital needs and operations of a 3-month pilot service beginning June 2028 and ending August 2028 Page 176 of 274