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TRANSPORTATION THINK TANK NOTES FROM MEETING #28: APRIL 5, 2000
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<> NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY APRIL 19, 2000 <>
<> Starting at 5 pm sharp at 501 MISSION STREET <>
<> in SANTA CRUZ --- EVERYONE IS INVITED <>
<> <>
<> AGENDA: [a] forum questions and responses <>
<> [b] should we sponsor a metrobase <>
<> site tour? <>
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NOTES FROM APRIL 5:

Our meeting began just after 5 pm, with Jenni Bragar, Bill Comfort,
Emily Reilly, Wolfgang Rosenberg, Peter Scott, Janet Singer and
Michael Singer attending.

We spent the entire 1.5+ hours working out a detailed format for the
MetroBase forum planned for April 6.

At the end, we decided to hold our next meeting again at 501 Mission
Street, most likely to continue with discussions relating to MetroBase
issues. (see above agenda)

-- Peter Scott, note-taker.

p.s. [i am appending a bit of good news from assemblyman Keeley's
office, forwarded today by Ron Goodman.]

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|| TO BE REMOVED FROM THIS EMAIL LIST, WRITE TO PETER ||
|| drip@cats.ucsc.edu WHO WILL TAKE YOU OFF ||
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Received from Fred Keeley's office...

April 17, 2000

Thank you for contacting my office regarding Senate Bill (SB) 804 by State
Senator Don Perata. Senator McPherson and I have met with several affected
persons and the companies providing service. As we learned from your calls,
letters, and meetings, SB 804 has had a profound impact on the ability of
Santa Cruz County residents, particularly disabled residents, to
conveniently and affordably commute between Santa Cruz and San Jose. To
remedy the situation, Senator McPherson and I are authoring SB 2178.

SB 2178 would carve out a narrow exception to the provisions passed in SB
804. First, the carve out would be limited to the Santa Cruz -- San Jose
route and not affect other areas in the state. This approach was selected
because it appears that the Santa Cruz -- San Jose route was the most
adversely affected route. Second, SB 2178 would, for the Highway 17 route,
provide that SB 804's connecting rail ticket provision shall not apply to
Amtrak buses leaving Santa Cruz more than one hour before or after a
Greyhound bus. This provision maintains the spirit of SB 804, that the
state should not provide a supplement for the cost of service when there is
a competing private service over the same route, while returning several
options available prior to January. Therefore, riders would not be subject
to the rail ticket requirement and additional cost on Amtrak buses that run
at non-competition times. The carved out exception to SB 804 would sunset
on January 1, 2002.

SB 2178 also establishes a Task Force to work toward a long-term solution
for the Highway 17 bus route. The Task Force, comprised of transportation
entities, Caltrans, and disabled passengers, shall address current available
passenger service provided by Amtrak, Greyhound, and Santa Cruz Metro
Transit, passenger needs, and capital needs to meet current and anticipated
public demand.

As we all know too well, the Highway 17 route is congested a good portion of
the day. Congestion will only increase unless there is quality public
transportation alternative for commuters. For those persons traveling
beyond San Jose, by either bus, Caltrain, Amtrak, or by way of the airport,
the bus route over Highway 17 is equally important. Senator McPherson and I
plan to move forward with SB 2178 to keep rider options available.

Again, thank you for bringing the SB 804 issue to my attention and please do
not hesitate to contact my office if I can be of assistance in the future.

Sincerely,


FRED KEELEY
Speaker pro Tem of the Assembly