CCMIN121509 - Laserfiche WebLink

Referring to slide 7, Councilmember Sullivan asked if the ridership estimates are based on a connection to ACE and high speed rail. Mr. Quint said they assume only a limited service connection to ACE. Councilmember Sullivan inquired about ridership at the Dublin /Pleasanton station. Mr. Quint stated there are nearly 15,000 entries and exits per day at that site. Councilmember Sullivan calculated that the extension would double what Pleasanton currently experiences, and Mr. Quint clarified that projections are based on assumptions for the year 2035; ridership there could increase or decrease depending upon the alternative. Councilmember Sullivan referred to the earlier statement that roughly 30% of projected ridership would come from over the Altamont, 70% from Livermore, and requested clarification. Mr. Quint said that 70% would be traffic from local areas as well as potentially Vasco. Councilmember Sullivan confirmed with Mr. Quint that roughly 20,000 Livermore residents are currently using BART. Councilmember Sullivan estimated that Livermore has 75,000 to 80,000 residents. Mr. Quint reminded him that ridership numbers are based on year 2035 assumptions and noted that the Dublin /Pleasanton station is expected to increase to 20,000 or 30,000 in 2035. Councilmember Sullivan requested details on the assumptions of this projection. Mr. Quint directed him to the technical report on transportation which is not in the DEIR but is available. Vice Mayor Cook Kallio asked if it is suggested that 30% of projected ridership would come off of ACE or some other form of rapid transit. Mr. Quint said that 30% is expected from San Joaquin County. Vice Mayor Cook Kallio confirmed that the remaining 70% could come from elsewhere in Contra Costa County, not just Livermore, and said this is still a considerable number. Councilmember Sullivan assumed that many of those riders currently use the Dublin /Pleasanton station and not all would represent a direct increase. Mr. Quint confirmed but said the overall decline in ridership is not as steep as one might expect due to latent demand; as space opens up at that station, new riders will come. Councilmember Sullivan requested a description of the project's economic benefits. Mr. Quint said they are associated primarily with the potential for TOD and land use around the new stations. Councilmember Sullivan assumed that a downtown Livermore station would provide greater opportunity for that than the 1 -580 only alternatives. Mr. Quint confirmed, stating that Alternatives 1 and 2 were identified as front runners in that respect. Councilmember Sullivan confirmed with Mr. Quint that a route that includes Las Positas College has not been considered. Councilmember Sullivan said all community colleges have significant traffic and parking issues; Las Positas has already expressed an interest in a transit oriented hub at the existing Dublin /Pleasanton station and suggested it would be worth looking into. He said he shares some of the concerns already raised with regards to Staples Ranch and noted that the turn from 1 -580 to El Charro Road could potentially absorb a large portion of the City Council Minutes Page 8 of 13 December 15, 2009