HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC RES 02-051RESOLUTION NO. 02-51
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA, IN SUPPORT OF PRIORITY
TREATMENT OF METROLINK'S RIVERSIDE LINE BY UNION PACIFIC
RAILROAD COMPANY
WHEREAS, Metrolink train service has become a valuable and effective form of
transportation for thousands of Riverside County residents who commute to Los Angeles
or Orange Counties; and
WHEREAS, Metrolink trains improve overall mobility by giving commuters an
alternative to driving alone; and
WHEREAS, the Riverside County Transportation Commission and Metrolink lease
track rights from Union Pacific Railroad for the operation of commuter rail service from
Riverside to Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles; and
WHEREAS, the Riverside County Transportation Commission and Metrolink paid
more than $71 million to Union Pacific for capital improvements and operating rights to
accommodate 12 daily passenger trains; and
WHEREAS, the agreement between Metrolink and Union Pacific requires that
priority be given to the operation of passenger trains; and
WHEREAS, in apparent violation of the agreement, Union Pacific has given
priority to its own freight operations; and
WHEREAS, Riverside County passengers routinely experience delays of more
than 30 minutes during their commute; and
WHEREAS, on -time performance on the Riverside Line is the worst among the
five -county Metrolink system; and
WHEREAS, on -time performance has suffered primarily because of
Union Pacific's insistence to value its freight customers over passenger rail users; and
WHEREAS, the Riverside County Transportation Commission and Metrolink are
seeking to enhance and improve Metrolink service but are unable to do so without the
cooperation of Union Pacific; and
WHEREAS, the Metrolink Board of Directors recently issued a "Letter to Cure" to
Union Pacific, seeking an immediate improvement toward operating conditions on the
Riverside Line; and
RESOLUTION NO. 02-51
WHEREAS, the issuance of a "Letter to Cure" legally starts the clock on what
could lead to a costly and time-consuming arbitration process.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Council of the
City of Palm Desert, California, do hereby endorse and support the efforts of the
Riverside County Transportation Commission and Metrolink in continued and
strengthened efforts to ensure the enforcement of priority treatment contained in the
Riverside Operating Agreement with the Union Pacific Railroad Company; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be transmitted to the
Inland Empire's legislative delegations in Washington, D.C., and Sacramento.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Palm Desert
City Council held on this 9th day of May, 2002, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: BENSON, CRITES, FERGUSON, SPIEGEL, and KELLY
NOES: NONE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
TEST:
SHEILA R. GIaIGAN, Y CLERK
CITY OF PALM DES , CALIFORNIA
RICHARD S. KELLY, MAYOR
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