Metrolink CEO Brief – July 5, 2019
Metrolink Participates in the APTA 2019 Rail Conference
Last week, I participated in the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) 2019 Rail Conference by moderating a panel titled, “The Future is Now: A Discussion on Alternative Energy Sources for Rail.”
This panel discussed how public transportation needs to evolve as the demand for cleaner and more efficient transportation increases. We discussed several energy sources for passenger rail including hydrogen fuel cells, batteries and low emission diesel. Panelists included Jim Varney, director of sales and business development for ALSTOM, Yves Laperriere, chief engineer of Bombardier Transportation, Caltrain Chief Operating Officer of Rail Michelle Bouchard and Devin Rouse, P.E., director of the Passenger Rail Division for the Office of Railroad Safety at the Federal Railroad Administration.
The Rail Conference featured other sessions and panels that focused on technology, operations, maintenance, safety and security, planning, finance, capital projects, workforce development and the latest in industry advances for all rail modes including urban, commuter, high-speed and intercity.
Exploring Alternative Energy Solutions for a Zero-Emissions Future
Members of the executive leadership team recently traveled to a rail yard in Anaheim to meet with Rail Propulsion Systems, a vendor who is working to advance a research and development project that would upgrade any locomotive to a zero-emission, battery-operated hybrid locomotive.
The vendor is currently working on a project with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to simultaneously upgrade a Tier 2 locomotive to Tier 3+ and convert a second locomotive to battery-powered and, when operated in combination with the Tier 3+ locomotive, would provide, in effect, a low emission “hybrid” power source for trains. If this project is successful, it would reduce emissions, noise and mechanical delays.
Rail Propulsion Systems approached Metrolink to work with them to advocate for this type of program to agencies that fund projects of this nature. While there are other companies exploring this new technology including Wabtec/GE/MPI working with BNSF, staff believes advocating and partnering with this type of initiative is an important first-step to a zero-emissions future for our agency. Staff will continue to pursue initiatives that enable the agency to best serve the Southern California region.
You can find more information here and here.
Director Brian Berkson and Mayor Rusty Bailey to Become Newest Guest Train Conductors
The two newest Guest Train Conductors, Board Director and Jurupa Valley Mayor Brian Berkson and Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey, are scheduled to debut on the Riverside and 91/Perris Valley Lines over the next week.
The new Guest Train Conductors will welcome passengers and announce stations stops and safety messages.
Berkson also serves on the boards of the Riverside County Transportation Commission, the Riverside Transit Agency and the Western Riverside Council of Governments.
Bailey has served as the mayor of Riverside since 2012 after first being elected to the Riverside City Council in 2007. He previously served as a U.S. Army officer and worked for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Berkson and Bailey will join other guest conductors including Angels Hall of Famer Tim Salmon, Riverside County Supervisor and Metrolink Board Director Karen Spiegel and City of Highland Mayor Pro Tem and Metrolink Board 2nd Vice Chair Larry McCallon.
Future guest conductors include:
- Metrolink Board Director and LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger
- US Congressman Gil Cisneros
- Metrolink Board Alternate Director and Orange County Supervisor Doug Chaffee
- Palmdale Mayor Steven Hofbauer
- California State Senator Connie Leyva
- Santa Clarita Mayor Marsha McLean
- Metrolink Board Alternate Director Paul Philips
- California State Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva
- OCTA Board Chair and La Habra City Council Member Tim Shaw
Finance Leads Internal Initiative to Modernize Business Practices
I would like to acknowledge some of our staff for creating value and exceeding expectations internally by modernizing businesses practices.
Senior Finance Manager Thelma Bloes led an initiative in collaboration with Ricardo Davila, Sabrina Davis and Monica Bouldin from Marketing & Communications and Illya Robertson, Karen King and Rachel Chaires from Customer Relations in three areas to help make Metrolink more efficient.
First, Metrolink now accepts credit card payments for the Corporate Partner Program, which will help improve agency cash flow and increase security as these types of payments are more secure than cash or check. Second, we have simplified our monthly fare revenue billing service, which will lead to an annual savings of about 168 staff hours (18 days). Finally, we have modified school trip voucher distribution from FedEx to electronic. This will give us an estimated annual savings of $2,800 and save more than 114 staff hours (12 days).
Thank you all for your hard work in achieving these goals.
Doing Business with Metrolink: Procurement Update
We currently are accepting proposals for EN109-19 - On-Call Emergency Response, Environmental Compliance and Consulting Services, due July 8, PO783R-20 - Provision of Wood Ties, due July 11, PO793-20 - Locomotive Oils and Lubricants, due July 23 and C3144-20 - Central Maintenance Facility Drainage Redirection, due July 25.
We have also released the RFP for the bundled operations and maintenance contract - MSOP150-20 - Rail Operations, Maintenance and Support Services Procurement - due October 11. The objective of the bundled contract is to obtain a single firm or joint venture that will operate and maintain our system for an anticipated seven years.
Maintenance activities will include inspection and repair of tracks, bridges, structures, wayside signals, communications, rights-of-way, grade crossings and Level 1 train control systems for the entire system. Responsibilities will also include maintenance of SCRRA facilities and all equipment, locomotives, rail cars and rail car components, along with mechanisms such as brake systems, motors, seats and passenger communication equipment.
The vendor portal can be found here and an up-to-date list of open and upcoming procurements can be viewed here.