SUBJECT:
title
Approval of a resolution authorizing the President & CEO, or her designee, to finalize and execute an agreement with Railroad Partners, Inc (RPI) for usage of 27 miles of track on the west end of the Llano line for a period through December 31, 2029.
end
FISCAL IMPACT:
This action has no fiscal impact.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
Strategic Goal Alignment:
☒ 1. Customer ☒ 2. Community
☐ 3. Workforce ☐ 4. Organizational Effectiveness
Strategic Objectives:
☒ 1.1 Safe & Reliable Service ☒1.2 High Quality Customer Experience ☐ 1.3 Accessible System
☐ 2.1 Support Sustainable Regional Growth ☐ 2.2 Become a Carbon Neutral Agency
☐ 2.3 Responsive to Community and Customer Needs ☐ 2.4 Regional Leader in Transit Planning
☐ 3.1 Diversity of Staff ☐ 3.2 Employer of Choice ☐ 3.3 Expand Highly Skilled Workforce
☐ 4.1 Fiscally Responsible and Transparent ☐ 4.2 Culture of Safety ☐ 4.3 State of Good Repair
EXPLANATION OF STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT: This action will allow Capital Metro to continue to foster a culture of safety and to deliver a customer-friendly experience through our people and systems by providing RPI with the use of a portion of the Giddings-Llano Line for the placement, maintenance and operation of track railway motorcars, gang cars, hand cars, velocipedes, and pedal powered railroad equipment on, or over, the Authorized Track Area for the purpose of transporting passengers on sight-seeing pleasure tours and trips, as well as the loading and unloading of passengers, and management and administration of these services. Maintenance includes the control of all grass, brush, and trees, etc., growing on or over Capital Metro railroad right-of-way.
BUSINESS CASE: The agreement with RPI will allow the provision of excursion rail passenger services using a portion of Capital Metro’s Gidding-Llano Line
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: This item was presented and recommended for approval by the Operations, Planning and Safety Committee on March 18, 2024.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Capital Metro recognizes that the non-profit Railroad Partners, Inc. provides historical, cultural, and recreational benefits to the public. The mission of RPI is to 1) use volunteer labor and privately owned maintenance equipment to preserve historic rail corridors in partnership with communities, railroads, local governments and other entities and individuals; 2) to acquaint the public with the geography, local history and cultural landmarks of such corridors; 3) to support efforts to educate the public regarding safety within rail corridors; 4) to build community support for the preservation of out-of-service or soon to be out-of-service rail corridors, and 5) to promote safe maintenance and other activities within historic rail corridors through training and mutual cooperation with rail-related groups services. In 2009, Capital Metro approved an agreement with Railroad Partners, Inc. (RPI) which has been continually renewed as each agreement’s term was reached. This item is a continuation of a prior agreement for 27 miles of track on the west end of the Llano Branch through December 31, 2029.
DBE/SBE PARTICIPATION: Does not apply.
PROCUREMENT: Does not apply.
RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT: Rail Operations.
body
RESOLUTION
OF THE
CAPITAL METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF TRAVIS
AI-2024-1080
WHEREAS, the CapMetro Board of Directors and CapMetro management endeavor to continue to provide Railroad Partners, Inc. (RPI) access to a portion of the Giddings-Llano line for the placement, maintenance and operation of track railway motorcars, gang cars, hand cars, velocipedes, and pedal powered railroad equipment (“Speeders”).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the CapMetro Board of Directors hereby authorizes the President & CEO, or her designee, to finalize and execute an agreement with RPI for usage of 27 miles of track on the west end of the Llano line for a period through December 31, 2029.
____________________ Date: ____________________
Secretary of the Board
Becki Ross