The purpose of this Appendix is to provide a comparison of Dane County to other currently operating, recently constructed, or planned commuter rail systems. Out of the dozen or so systems reviewed, the following were judged similar or relevant to Dane County.

1994 Service Area Population & Density: 548,500; 751 persons per sq. mile

Start Year. 1992

System Description: The Virginia Railway Express (VRE), or "The Express," is the most recent example of a new-start commuter rail service. The Express operates two lines out of Washington D.C. to Northern Virginia. A 64 mile line to Fredericksburg, VA, and 33 mile line to Manassas, VA provide weekday, rush hour service. Amtrak operates the service and maintains equipment on behalf of the VRE. Passengers can make connections to the D.C. Metrorail system at several stations, including Alexandria and Union Station in downtown Washington.

Reasons for Building: In Manassas, which experienced 80% population growth in the 1980s, residents were enthusiastic about the project, hoping the system would giver their community an economic boost. Fredericksburg was at first reluctant to join the project, concerned about costs and the effect of the rail system on low-income residents near the station and the city's independent character. However, when a 1991 survey of Fredericksburg-area residents revealed that over 20,000 people work in the Washington D.C. area, they became more supportive.

Costs: $127 million capital costs; $11 million annual operating expense - 63% recovery ratio.

Riders: 7,200 average daily riders.

1991 MSA Population & Density: 4,134,600; 420 persons per sq. mile

Start Year: 1996

System Description: This 37 mile commuter rail service will use existing railroad track and individually-power,ed rail diesel cars to operate between downtown Dallas and South Irving in the initial phase, and later extend to the airport and downtown Fort Worth. Phase I is IO miles. Thirteen rail vehicles, able to carry 96 passengers each, will be used. The commuter rail system is intended to feed into the 20 mile light rail system in Dallas (scheduled to begin in June 1996).

Reasons for Building: Initially planned as a demonstration project, the commuter rail project has become a permanent joint project by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and the Forth Worth Transportation Authority (The T) to provide mobility and an alternative transportation option to commuters between Dallas, Irving and Forth Worth. The service is designed to connect with the planned light rail service to provide an integrated mass transit service.

Costs: First phase (South Irving to Dallas) capital costs $68 million; funding is through a combination of city and federal funds. Under DART's financial plan, DART will pay 80% of capital costs with a 20% federal funding requirement for system completion.

Triangle Region (NC)

1990 MSA Population & Density: 855,500; 253 persons per sq. mile

2020 MSA Population & Density: 1,445,600; 414 persons per sq. mile

Service Year: 2020

System Description: The 50 mile regional rail system utilizes existing railroad track and 15 selfpropelled rail diesel cars during peak hours of service. The system connects the region's major downtown areas, the universities, major employment areas and the airport. Extensive feeder and local bus services provide access to the train, and regional and local bus services operate in areas not served by the rail system.

Reasons for Building: In the 1990s, in response to rapid growth, the Triangle began considering transportation alternatives along with new highway construction. Regional Rail was chosen because it would provide additional capacity in congested corridors, cost-effectively use existing resources, and connect the most compact areas in the region.

Costs: First phase (Duke to Raleigh to North Raleigh) capital costs $149 million; Second phase (Durham to Chapel Hill, Airport Connector) capital costs $247 million. System recovers 45% of operating costs. System supported in part by a regional $5 vehicle registration fee.

Riders: 16,600 average daily riders.

THE WEST COAST EXPRESS (Vancouver, Canada)

1991 Service Area Population & Density: 494,487; 385 persons per sq. mile

Start Year: November 1995

System Description: "The West Coast Express" is a 40 mile commuter service running between Mission, B.C. and downtown Vancouver. It is serviced with Bombardier bi-level passenger cars running five morning and five evening peak trains. All stations will be served by bus routes and feeder bus service will be enhanced to support commuter rail. The commuter rail fares will be fully transferal>le with bus so that passengers pay a single fare to use the transit system.

Costs: $103 mill:lon capital costs. Funding for operating expenses is currently under assessment.

METRA (IL)

Metra is expanding its service on the Wisconsin Central line from Antioch to Union Station in Chicago. Metra and the communities along the line support service over these currently freight only tracks. When implemented, this will be the first new commuter rail line in the northeast Illinois region since 1926. The commuter rail line will travel from Antioch, past O'Hare Airport to Franklin Park, continuing on to Chicago Union Station. Twelve suburban stations are proposed. This new line will also provide transfer opportunities to three other Metra lines. Metra's initial service plans call for three morning inbound trains, three midday trains, and three evening outbound trains. Morning and evening reverse commute service will be considered as service progresses. Metra projects a 5,700 average daily ridership for this new service, 40 percent of which will be new to Metra service. Operation of the Wisconsin Central line is expected to begin in 1996.