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LA RAIL

Kevin LawsonRail TransportationProgram Manager

2-10-09

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• Goals and Benefits• Concept of Operations• Route• Fares• Next Steps

OVERVIEW

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• Immediate: FY 2010 - 2012• Establish intercity passenger rail service with

four intermediate stops and a trip time of approximately 2 hours

• Long-Term: FY 2013 and Beyond• Establish permanent intercity passenger rail

service with additional intermediate stops and a trip time of approximately 1.5 hours

GOALS

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BENEFITS• Provides an affordable

transportation for workers and families.

• Mitigates highway congestion.• Provides a transportation option –

independent of the highway system – during emergency evacuations.

• Links urban and rural transportation systems to facilitate seamless regional transportation systems.

• Stimulates economic development by expanding the business employment pool.

• Provide opportunity for transit-oriented development.

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CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

• Three Train Sets – 1 Locomotive, 3 coaches• Capacity: 225 passengers per train• Fourteen Trains on Weekdays (Seven round

trips)• Eight Trains on Weekends (Four round

trips)• Travel Time: Approximately two hours

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AMTRAK INITIATIVES• Amtrak has proposed “Turn-Key” Service

• National service provider with legislative authority to operate on freight rail lines

• Will provide 100% indemnification for the state• Operated test train on April 4, 2006• Initiated preliminary discussions with KCS and

reviewed proposed capital improvements

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LA RAIL ROUTE

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• Passenger platform: 400’ X 15’• Canopy over portion of platform• Security lighting• ADA compliant• Adequate parking

INTERMEDIATE STATIONS/STOPSSOUTH BATON ROUGE, GONZALES, LAPLACE, KENNER

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FARE STRUCTURE

FromNew Orleans

Single Ride

10-Ride Pass

Monthly Pass

FromBaton Rouge

Kenner $8.00 $7.00 $6.00 S. Baton Rouge

LaPlace $9.00 $8.00 $7.00 GonzalesGonzales $10.00 $9.00 $8.00 LaPlaceS. Baton Rouge $11.00 $10.00 $9.00 KennerBaton Rouge $12.00 $11.00 $10.00 New Orleans

Fares for a One-Way Trip

Automobile Fuel Cost80 miles at 20 mpg = 4.0 gallons

for a one-way trip$2.00/gal. X 4.0 gallons = $8.00(does not include vehicle maintenance, parking, or other expenses)

The fares for the Airport Shuttle bus from downtown hotels to the New Orleans Airport is $15 per person each way.

Airport Shuttle Bus

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FARE STRUCTURE COMPARISON

From: To: Miles Cost Cost/MileRaleigh Charlotte 173 $25.00 $0.1445Baton Rouge New Orleans 80 $12.00 $0.1500Portland, ME Boston 116 $24.00 $0.2068Los Angeles San Diego 129 $29.00 $0.2248Chicago Milwaukee 86 $22.00 $0.2558Washington* Philadelphia 135 $63.00 $0.4666Note: All routes listed are short intercity routes

* Regional Service (not Acela high-speed service)

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• “Immediately Fund Priority Regional Projects”• “Intercity passenger rail service for

commuters between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, to aid in the economic recovery of metro New Orleans and provide for evacuation”

LOUISIANA SPEAKS REGIONAL PLAN

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NEXT STEPS

• Feasibility Study: (Sept. 08 – March 09)• Validate the Concept of Operations• Update Ridership Estimates• Conduct Economic Benefits/Cost Analysis• Prepare Business Plan• Identify Legal Constraints

• Environmental Assessment (Apr. 09 – Dec 09)• Implementation Planning: (Jan. 10 – July 10)

• Develop Agreements With Host Railroads and Service Provider• Negotiate Agreements• Inaugural Service: July, 2010

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THANK YOU!