Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District

General Manager’s Report – August 2016

5401 Old Redwood Highway, Suite 200

Petaluma, CA 94954 Tel: (707) 794-3330 Fax: (707) 794-3037

www.SonomaMarinTrain.org

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Back to School With SMART:

With school about to start again this fall, SMART is ramping up its safety outreach, connecting with students of all ages. With system wide testing underway, and as SMART prepares for its high-speed testing program, safety remains our top priority. In addition to running a series of safety ads in both English and Spanish, SMART’s outreach team connected with students at the annual National Night Out in Rohnert Park, and continues to conduct safety presentations for students through its youth safety outreach program. Safety information for students is accessible through SMART’s safety website: www.BeTrackSmart.org In the coming weeks SMART’s outreach team will also participate in student welcome days at Santa Rosa Junior College’s campuses in Santa Rosa and Petaluma campuses, as well as Sonoma State University’s Big Night student welcome event. SMART continues to focus on key rail safety tips:

Always expect a train — stay alert be prepared to stop at all railroad crossings

Drivers should never stop on the tracks.

Walking on railroad tracks is dangerous and illegal.

Bicyclists should cross the tracks only at designated crossings and at a 90-degree angle to

prevent bicycle wheels from getting caught in the tracks.

SMART’s outreach team connects with kids at National Night Out in Rohnert Park this Month. Back-to-School season means SMARTs outreach team is ramping up its student Safety efforts, connecting with students of all ages in Sonoma and Marin counties.

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CONSTRUCTION

STATIONS: The last station shelters were delivered on 8/8/16 to the two Santa Rosa stations. All station platforms have light fixtures installed, crews are now working to turn on power.

The San Rafael, Novato San Marin, Petaluma Downtown, Santa Rosa Downtown, Santa Rosa North, and Sonoma County Airport stations all have dusk to dawn lighting now. The remaining stations will be powered by the end the month.

Installation of bike racks at all stations began this month.

Marin Civic Center

The first four pylon information signs were installed at the San Rafael station. The cabinet will contain a SMART alignment map.

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San Rafael at Night

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Petaluma

Station area fencing being installed at the Petaluma station.

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Petaluma

Shelter glass installation began.

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Rohnert Park

The park n’ride is taking shape. Curb and gutters have been constructed, and final preparations for paving are underway. Santa Rosa Downtown

The station access pathway from 3rd Street was paved in the end of July.

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Santa Rosa Downtown

Bike rack installation along the new station area flatwork. Santa Rosa North

View from the ramp of the completed pedestrain path of travel flatwork with lighting.

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PATHWAY

The Golf Course Drive to East Cotati Ave pathway is mostly complete. The signalized pedestrian crossing work will follow in the next couple months.

SMART will begin construction of a segment of pathway from College Ave to Guerneville Rd later this month while construction of other segments in San Rafael, Novato, and Santa Rosa are planned for this fall.

Golf Course Drive to East Cotati Ave Pathway Segment

Crews are completing finishing touches such as placing gravel shoulders along the pathway and

miscellaneous cleanup.

Installing 4 foot high fall protection fencing along retaining walls.

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SYSTEM AND VEHICLES

Running Trains to Condition Rail for Signals, Haystack Bridge in Petaluma

Civic Center Station Pedestrian Crossing, San Rafael, Receiving Finishing Touches

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4th Street Crossing and San Rafael Station, San Rafael, as Construction Continues toward

Completion

Contractor/ SMART Maintenance Joint Switch Inspection prior to Turnover, Rohnert Park

Station

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Three-car Test Train at San Rafael Station

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OPERATIONS

Vehicle Maintenance:

Motion floor machine to assist with the cleaning of the floors Set up eye wash stations Purchased a Fuel nozzle (this is a backup) Placed fire extinguishers for the fire suppressant system on the DMU’s

Transportation:

Interviewed 4 Engineer/ Conductor = 3 in backgrounds Bridge Tender’s = 2 in backgrounds Training TDX Training for Controller Supervisors Train Movements Event Trains Train Movements Shunt train – 7 days a week- Mainline zone’s (A,B,C,D) 4 Trains a day Mon-Fri 1 Train a day Sat-Sun Event Trains Facebook First Public Train Ride San Marin Novato to Haystack Drawbridge July-3 Penngrove Parade Static Display July-3

Maintenance of Way:

Conducted RWP(Roadway Workers Protection) Class for SWH Conducted 5 interviews for Signal Technician with 2 being moved into background, resulting

in 1 viable candidate. MOW participated in vendor provided training on operations and maintenance of the

Communication Systems. FRA (Federal Railroad Administration) Signal Inspector conducted an inspection only noting a

few minor defects. Spent 5 days on a final punch list walk with MRS covering each signal facility location on the

alignment Maintenance of Way received CPR/First Aid training via 2 separate class sessions 1 Signal Supervisor resigned due to cost of adequate housing being higher than anticipated.

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Safety and Compliance: SMART Safety and Compliance Officer and Operations working with local and regional Federal

Railroad Administrators has completed most of the Passenger Rail Division – New Start

Worksheet. This worksheet is comprised of 165 line items that require Passenger Rail to comply

with various Federal Regulations. A partial review was performed in the following areas:

Track Safety Standards (49 CFR 213)

Railroad Workplace Safety (49 CFR 214)

Railroad Operating Rules (49 CFR 217)

Railroad Operating Practices (49 CFR 218)

Grade Crossing Safety, including signal systems, state action plans, and emergency

notification systems (49 CFR 234)

Overall the FRA was satisfied with the review, although there were concerns with regards to 49

CFR 234. SMART has been experiencing selected problems with “Activation Failure, Partial

Activation and False Activation” within the 63 Public Grade Crossings along the SMART Right of

Way. Once SMART receives notification from a “Credible Caller” SMART responds per the

regulation by the following means:

Promptly initiate efforts to warn highway users and railroad employees at the crossing(s) by the

following actions:

Prior to the trains arrival the train crew is notified

Notification to law enforcement personnel

Provides alternative means of protection such as - appropriately equipped flagman at the

crossing location(s)

All of the above listed actions ensure Safety to the Public and Employees

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HUMAN RESOURCES

Current Open Recruitments: Administrative Analyst Ambassador Conductor Controller Supervisor Engineer-Conductor Signal Technician Vehicle Maintenance Technician

Interviews: Engineer-Conductor Signal Technician Vehicle Maintenance Technician

Hiring

SMART welcomed 1 new employee in the last month. A new position, Senior Administrative Analyst was created, which was filled via internal

promotion.

Miscellaneous

HR has been working with Operations to implement the changes to the random drug testing policy. All affected staff have been notified.

HR had a successful meeting with the Teamsters union to discuss facilities access and other meeting requests.

HR is working with Legal to finalize SMART’s first Equal Employment Opportunity Plan that will be submitted to the Federal Transit Administration.

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REAL ESTATE

Private Crossings Phelan/Brand– Staff is working to finalize the revised Conservation Easement document. Private

Crossing Agreement will be ready to execute when conservation easement finalized.

Marin County Flood Control – Staff has issued a Right of Entry Permit for the Novato Dredge

Project which will happen in the next several months to make sure construction does not impact

rail testing.

For All Private Crossings, continuing work on:

Spreadsheet sent to Pacific Gas & Electric Company with pertinent information about the

private crossings and access issues. Staff is continuing to work with PG&E to refine access

issues.

Refinement of maintenance and insurance issues;

Research of title issues regarding property rights;

Consulting with Engineering on equipment costs;

Consulting with Permitting Agencies on mitigation issues.

Property Acquisitions (in process) Larkspur Extension Project – A Request for Proposal (RFP) for Real Estate Services was sent out

on August 2, 2016. Pre-Proposal Meeting was held on August 11, 2016 and proposals are due

August 23, 2016.

Staff has identified agreements with utilities along the new alignment to determine property

rights. Staff is continuing to work with surveyors to determine SMART’s property boundaries and

develop a Record of Survey to record. Staff will continue to research the title of the property

along the new alignment.

Pathway - Coordinating with the local municipalities regarding securing any necessary land rights

to accommodate the construction of the pathways and interim access and laydown area needs.

Staff has finalized the License Agreement with the City of Novato for portions of the pathway

that lie within City owned property near Hamilton Parkway.

Staff is close to completing the encroachment permit with the County of Marin staff on portions

of the pathway on County property in San Rafael.

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College to Guerneville Road Pathway – An offer was made to the Sonoma County Water Agency

for an easement for the pathway between Jennings and Guerneville Road. Construction has

started on the pathway under a License Agreement. Staff will continue to work to complete the

acquisition and is working to bring the property purchase to the Board for approval this fall.

The Board approved an offer from a private property owner on the July 20, 2016 meeting for a

small (152 square feet) corner of his property for the pathway at the northeast intersection of

track and College Avenue in Santa Rosa. Staff is working to complete the paperwork and record

the purchase.

Property Management: Fencing – met with adjacent property owner in San Rafael to determine the best location for new

fencing and work out a solution for access and maintenance of private property and SMART’s

property. Working to issue a long term, license.

Staff is working on issuing Special Event Permits for:

Kaiser Wellness 5K Run – October 8 – Marin County

Petaluma Arts Gala – October 15 - Petaluma

Special Event Permits were issued and were well received for the following recent events:

Vine Man Race – July 31 – Santa Rosa

Water to Wine Half Marathon – August 7 - Santa Rosa

Staff is working on issuing Right of Entry Permits/License with:

County of Sonoma – Pathway Agreement Extension of time – Joe Rodota/West County

Regional Trail and the Prince Memorial Greenway in Santa Rosa

County of Sonoma – Queue Cutter Project – Signal work at intersections

Healdsburg- Round-About Project

PG&E – overhead line replacements

PG&E – Vegetation trimming/removal

North Marin Water District – Recycled Water Line

Lagunitas – Solar Panel Project

On-Going Property Management Activities:

Continue to handle property management issues from adjacent landowners;

Continue to support construction by doing property research for discovered property

issues;

Research on title issues to clarify property ownerships;

Continue working with property owners to remove encroachments;

Continue to define property ownership issues.

Title reports ordered and being reviewed;

Meetings held with private property owners

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SAFETY AND SECURITY

Chief Welch had several ongoing discussions with Marin and Sonoma County District Attorney’s Offices regarding the development of SMART’s Ordinances for enforcement. The District Attorney’s Offices had valuable input to the ordinance procedures, bail amounts and citation process. The Petaluma Police Department SWAT team conducted a half day training at the Rail Operations Center. SMART Operations and Safety staff provided a familiarization of the train, safety features and a tour of the Rail Operations Center. The SWAT team practiced entry, exit and drills on the train.

Chief Welch has been in the process of developing customer services for SMART riders. This ranges from call taking inquiring about service schedules, complaints and lost/found property. Options in Marin and Sonoma Counties are being explored to meet this need. Citation management software has been purchased to manage citations issued by SMART employees. This system can manage citations for penal code, vehicle code, adopted ordinances and parking violations. Both Marin and Sonoma County courts have provided input to this system to meet the requirements for each county court system.

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A trainer from the train car builder Nippon Sharyo provided a training on the safety features of the train for the purposes of creating a training video. During the training, topics covered were exterior and interior safety features, capacity of fuel tanks and an emergency window pull demonstration. Rincon Valley Fire Department assisted in this by conducing the window pull. The Federal Railroad Administration was also in attendance for the demonstration and training.

Public Safety Dispatchers from REDCOM, Santa Rosa PD, Rohnert Park DPS, Sonoma County Sheriff's Office and Healdsburg PD attended orientation training the week of August 1st at the Rail Operations Center and interfaced with SMART Controller/Supervisors at the SMART dispatch center. Topics included emergency response procedures and how the rail dispatch system operates and how emergencies are processed. There will be a follow-up training later in August for SMART dispatch staff to visit the REDCOM/Sonoma County Sheriff's Office dispatch centers to understand how emergency incidents are dispatched.

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GRANTS AND FEDERAL/STATE AND REGIONAL ACTIVITIES

Affordable Housing Sustainable Communities Grants FY15-16 (AHSC) The Town of Windsor and SMART submitted the Windsor Transit Center Corridor and Intersection Improvement Project which includes $1.8 million worth of grade crossing improvements at Windsor River Road/River Road near the future SMART Windsor Station. Awards will be announced in September 2016. Federal Railroad Administration Positive Train Control Implementation Funds (FRA-PTC) SMART submitted an application for $3 million to fund a portion of the remaining PTC expenses associated with the SMART Phase 2 extension work. We were just notified that our application has been approved for $3M funding. One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) Program Marin Transit, Golden Gate Transit and SMART partnered on a submittal to the Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM) for $1.5 million for Design and Environmental Clearance for San Rafael Transit Center Permanent Relocation. Discussion of the request took place at the July 28 TAM Commission with a decision anticipated at the September 22 Commission meeting. SCTA anticipates issuing a Call for Projects for OBAG funds in September. Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District 2016 Matching Grant Program (MGP) SMART submitted a grant request for 2016 MGP funds to construct the SMART Pathway between Payran Street to South Point Boulevard in Petaluma. This critical and complicated project will travel over the Petaluma River and under Highway 101 connecting east and west Petaluma. The project is in the design phase with engineering work scheduled in Fiscal Year 2017. The project has been the subject of multiple grant requests with only the 2014 MGP programming resources to date. This 2016 MGP request was for $400,000, which would bring total MGP funds in the $3.2 million project to $800,000. An Advisory Committee meeting on August 25, 2016, will discuss staff recommendations for this 2016 MGP request with a final recommendation to the full Board anticipated in September/October 2016. Clipper® Update SMART continues to work with the Regional Clipper® program and local transit partner agencies on full implementation of Clipper® in Marin and Sonoma Counties. Golden Gate Transit, Marin Transit, Sonoma County Transit and Santa Rosa CityBus have each adopted their portion of the consensus transfer credit arrangement, first taken to the SMART Board in March 2015, and transmitted their business rule modifications to Clipper. Petaluma Transit anticipates completing their request in July.

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In addition, during summer 2016, all parties are examining the Clipper® retail network in the North Bay, particularly Sonoma County. Suggestions are being made as to where Clipper® retail network expansion resources will be best utilized. Clipper® staff will be approaching suggested retail locations and, as needed, transit operators are collectively or individually approaching potential retail locations to request there participation as a Clipper® retailer. As part of that effort, SMART, Golden Gate, Marin Transit, Sonoma County Transit, Petaluma Transit and Santa Rosa CityBus signed letters to each of the Whole Foods stores in Sonoma County requesting their participation as a Clipper retail location. Whole Foods sells Clipper at all locations in the Bay Area except Sonoma County locations.

SMART continues to work with Clipper vendors of Cubic and VenTek to schedule equipment installation at stations. SMART also continues to work with Clipper on website content, outreach and marketing scheduling, training of staff, establishment of operations/maintenance agreements and protocols and a host of other details.

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PLANNING

State Route 37 Project, MOU between TAM, SCTA, NCTPA, and STA - The Transportation Authority of Marin (TAM), Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA), Napa County Transportation Planning Agency (NCTPA) and Solano Transportation Authority (STA) have entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to continue to jointly study needed improvements to State Route (SR) 37. Currently, STA will be lead for analyzing rail options for SR 37 Corridor as part of the overall alternative modes analysis, including having WETA look at providing ferry service from Vallejo to Larkspur. The steering committee meets every other month. The last SR 37 Steering Committee meeting was held on July 7, 2016 in Vallejo. The committee received a presentation from Project Finance Advisory Ltd. (PFAL) on the scope, schedule and objectives of the financial analysis for the corridor, as well as a staff presentation regarding an unsolicited proposal from United Bridge Partners for a toll road. Additionally, a policy committee will meet on the first Thursday of every odd month, and is made up of the following members:

Marin Elected Officials Steve Kinsey, MTC Commissioner Judy Arnold, Marin County Board of Supervisor Stephanie Moulton-Peters, Councilmember, City of Mill Valley

Napa Elected Officials Mark Luce, MTC Commissioner Keith Caldwell, Napa County Board of Supervisor Leon Garcia, Mayor City of American Canyon

Solano Elected Officials Chair Person Osby Davis, Mayor City of Vallejo Jim Spering, MTC Commissioner Erin Hannigan, Solano County Board of Supervisors

Sonoma Elected Officials Vice- Chair David Rabbitt, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Jake Mackenzie, MTC Commissioner Susan Gorin, Sonoma County Board of Supervisors

Regional Transit/Planning Coordination Activities SMART staff continues to participate in additional monthly transit coordination meetings above and beyond coordination directly related to the start of SMART services. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission hosts a monthly Transit Finance Working Group (August 3rd) and the Sonoma County Transportation Authority (SCTA) hosted its monthly SCTA Transit Technical Advisory Committee on August 10th. Metropolitan Transportation Commission Regional Transit Information Working Groups – Staff participates in three MTC-led transit coordinating committees around transit rider information access: MTC Transit Wayfinding (Regional Hub Signage Program), 511.org Transit Information, and MTC’s Real-Time Transit information working groups. Most recently, MTC held a meeting on July 28th regarding the new 511.org website and the Transit Data Manager interface.

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The new 511.org website is now live. More information on the Transit Coordination Implementation Plan can be found at http://www.mtc.ca.gov/planning/tcip/. Metropolitan Transportation Commission Plan Bay Area 2040 – The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) is in the process of updating the nine county regional Sustainable Communities Strategy and financially constrained long range transportation plan, Plan Bay Area. The process has included community outreach Open House meetings in Marin (June 4) and Sonoma (June 13) Counties. More information Local Coordination City of San Rafael Transit Center Relocation Study – Staff is participating on the technical team for the study evaluating the relocation of the San Rafael Transit Center. Kimley-Horn is the consultant lead for the project. Staff has participated in meetings both with the consultant team and with local agency staff over the past few months to evaluate both short-term and long-term solutions for the San Rafael Transit Center (SRTC) in anticipation of implementing the vision for successful bus and rail operations in Downtown San Rafael. Kimley-Horn has completed the interim analysis and cost estimate, and is continuing to refine and finalize the long term relocation alternatives.

o Meetings since August 1, 2015: August 5th – SRTC Coordination Staff prep meeting August 13th – SRTC Coordination Meeting – including the General

Managers and City Manager August 26th – Technical Advisory Committee meeting September 23rd – Technical Advisory Committee meeting September 30th – SRTC Coordination Meeting – including the General

Managers and City Manager October 28th – Technical Advisory Committee meeting November 19th – Technical Advisory Committee meeting January 12th - SRTC Coordination Meeting – including the General

Managers and City Manager January 19th – Meeting with the General Managers and the members of

respective Boards of Directors January 27th – Technical Advisory Committee meeting February – Technical Advisory Committee meeting was cancelled March 23rd – Technical Advisory Committee meeting April 27th – General Managers Meeting April 27th - Technical Advisory Committee meeting was cancelled May 25th – Technical Advisory Committee meeting was cancelled June 22nd – Technical Advisory Committee meeting July 27th – Technical Advisory Committee meeting

The next monthly Technical Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for August 24th.

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City of Santa Rosa Parking Study - The City of Santa Rosa is conducting a parking study in order to better understand transportation, parking, and shopping choices in and around Railroad Square and the downtown district. Electronic surveys were sent to stakeholders to help the City get a better understanding of how people access the area, which will ultimately help to inform local policy decisions. Most recently the city will be held a community meeting on Thursday, July 28. To learn more about the parking study that or to sign up for email alerts you can visit: www.srcity.org/parkingplan City of San Rafael Parking Study – The City of San Rafael, building off the work from the 2012 Downtown Station Area Plan vision for the ½ mile radius around the Downtown SMART Station, is completing the Downtown Parking & Wayfinding study in order to develop policy goals to support a vibrant, gateway area through parking and wayfinding in anticipation of the City’s future needs related to SMART. The study will also provide an implementation strategy for maximizing parking supply and availability, and options for wayfinding and related aspects of travel to and around Downtown. Key Elements of the Study include:

o Reviewing and mapping existing public and private parking conditions o Conducting surveys o Reviewing current bicycle parking and pedestrian networks o Developing wayfinding concepts o Analyzing existing zoning and development standards o Project future parking demand generators

Next Steps for the project include: o Stakeholder meetings planned throughout Summer 2016 o Advisory Committee on Economic Development and Affordable Housing in

Summer 2016 o Design Review Board in Fall 2016 o Planning Commission in Fall 2016 o Adoption by City Council TBD

More information can be found here: http://www.cityofsanrafael.org/parking-downtownstudy Reimagining CityBus Technical Advisory Committee – Staff is participating on the Technical Advisory Committee for CityBus’s upcoming project, “Reimagining CityBus,” which is a comprehensive re-evaluation of the Santa Rosa CityBus route network and service plan. Maximizing connections between City and SMART services is one of the priorities of the Reimagining CityBus effort. There are 6 routes serving SMART stations in the Phase One recommendations: 3 (College/9th), 6 (West Third), 9N (Sebastopol - Northpoint), 9W (Sebastopol – Wright), 11 (Chanate/Guerneville), 12 (Roseland), 15 (Stony Point). At the June 7th City Council meeting, the City Council adopted the majority of the draft plan, with some exceptions. CityBus staff will return to the City Council on August 16th to provide final recommendations. More information can be found at http://ci.santa-rosa.ca.us/departments/transit/citybus/Pages/Reimagining.aspx

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Local Coordination Tracking - The Planning department tracks all notices sent by local jurisdictions for projects occurring adjacent to or nearby the railroad. In July and August, SMART received 14 notices and the department is reviewing 2 projects for the need to comment. The two projects are 1) the Sonoma County Transportation Agency’s Comprehensive Transportation plan and 2) a proposed solar project at Lagunitas brewing company. Stations, Connections and Station Area Plans SMART Bike Parking Investment Plan - In June 2015, SMART hired Nelson Nygaard and Toole Design Group to identify a range of bicycle parking investments at SMART rail stations across the two counties and ten cities. The SMART Stations Bicycle Parking Investment Plan will analyze what bicycle parking types are available, what markets need to be served along the corridor and what investments would be appropriate. The plan resulting from this process will help guide efforts to implement those investments over time. Outreach was conducted through various channels, with the final stakeholder advisory committee meeting taking place on May 23rd. The final recommendations are currently being finalized and will be taken to the SMART board for information in August 2016.

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH Community Outreach| SMART Presentations SMART’s Communications and Marketing team is hard at work engaging the public through community presentations, outreach booths, multiple social media platforms and daily responses to public inquiries. As SMART makes progress towards the opening of revenue service, the Communications and Marketing team helps the public learn more about project and rail safety, and to better understand testing activities, fares, and the benefits and opportunities the SMART train offers future passengers. SMART connects with the community throughout the year by sponsoring events, staffing outreach booths, offering tours of the train, and answering questions. Collecting feedback at all of SMART’s events is also an important part of our outreach work, as we move closer to revenue service later this year. SMART’s recent outreach events include: August 6| SMART sponsored its second successful public test ride. All of the riders were asked to provide their favorite rail safety tip, underscoring SMART’s safety message. The test rides are an excellent marketing tool, and the positive energy and enthusiasm from the public is growing and excitement surrounding our passenger train service is running high. The public rides provide an excellent opportunity for people to experience the train prior to revenue service, ask questions and interact with our staff, and provide to feedback to assist SMART in preparing for a successful service launch. Using Facebook, Twitter and email alerts, we reached our capacity of 100 within two hours.

SMART passenger Heather Graves enjoys the scenery during SMART’s test ride. She lives near

the Cotati Station and plans to take the train to work in Downtown Petaluma.

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SMART test ride passengers gave the SMART train and the staff high marks during an August

test ride. They left the train at the Cotati Station ready to ride once service starts.

August 2| SMART participated in the National Night Out event in Rohnert Park. National Night Out is an annual community-building event that supports police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, better places to live.

SMART’s outreach staff provided rail safety tips and general information at this year’s National

Night Out in Rohnert Park.

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July 27| SMART participated in the Sonoma County Fair as a sponsor, and staffed an outreach booth near the main gate of the Sonoma County Fair.

SMART provided important safety information at this year’s Sonoma County Fair in Santa Rosa.

July 20| SMART participated in Rohnert Park’s Second Town Hall Meeting of 2016 to provide

information and to collect feedback from residents of Rohnert Park. The well-attended event

provided an excellent venue to provide information about rail safety, fares and project details

regarding the start of service.

Community Outreach | Rail Safety Education Presentations SMART has partnered with Operation Lifesaver, a national non-profit railroad safety education

organization, to create grade-level specific presentations for Sonoma & Marin County schools.

Presentations are available in age appropriate format for K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12 respectively and

include SMART project overview, a Rail Safety Video, Rail Safety overview, Q&A. Schools also

receive bilingual, age-appropriate rail safety posters, rail safety coloring sheets for students in

grades K-2 and SMART Safety Activity Books for students in grades 3-5.

SMART’s recent rail safety presentations include: July 19|Riebli Extended Child Care (Santa Rosa) August 9| Petaluma KinderCare

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MARKETING

Marketing | Advertisements and Media Partnerships As SMART progresses towards the completion of systems and vehicle testing, the

Communications and Marketing team ran a flight of digital, print and radio safety ads ran in both

English and Spanish in key North Bay media outlets. In addition to this ad campaign, the North

Bay’s major newspapers ran editorials and news articles on safety, amplifying SMART’s safety

message.

Prior to our official launch later this year, SMART will initiate a pre-launch marketing campaign to introduce SMART to a broader North Bay audience, increase awareness of the benefits of passenger rail service, and to establish the SMART brand, building on the already growing affinity for SMART.

Digital Programs | Social Media

SMART’s social media program continues to expand, through the creation of a more robust social

media marketing program. Leading up to SMART’s pre-launch marketing campaign, building a

large social media following through digital contests, SMART videos and more will set the

groundwork for an effective launch and build an online community of followers and customers.

STATS OVERVIEW

SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECT LINK 8/8/16 GROWTH

Constant Contact 7,463 +133

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sonomamarintrain/ 7,344 +1536

Twitter https://twitter.com/smarttrain 1,750 +27

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sonomamarintrain/ 749 +77

Total 17,606

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August most popular post: Video taken from the train showing the SMART train zipping by traffic

on Highway 101 at the Novato Narrows was a hit, reaching about 17,000 people via SMART’s

Facebook page. SMART’s social media presence has grown substantially during the last five

months, and continues to gain momentum.

16,992 people reached

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Media | News Coverage

August 8, 2016 – SMART train horns spur request for ‘quiet zones’ along tracks (Santa Rosa

Press Democrat)

August 6, 2016 – SMART trains offer public test rides to gear up for rail line’s debut (Santa

Rosa Press Democrat)

August 6, 2016 – Marin IJ Editorial: Federal funds should be invested in greatest good (Marin

Independent Journal)

August/September, 2016 – Getting SMART: Region’s newest rail system nearly ready to roll (Bay

Area Monitor – League of Women Voters)

July 30, 2016 – Dick Spotswood: Time will soon tell whether SMART will be a success (Marin

Independent Journal)

July 30, 2016 – Not all new North Bay train workers can afford to live there (San Francisco

Chronicle)

July 29, 2016 – SMART train noise here to stay (The Community Voice)

July 28, 2016 – CA: Marin Commuters Benefit from $18M Funding Deal after Political Dustup

(Mass Transit)

July 27, 2016 – Marin commuters benefit from $18M funding deal after political dustup (Marin

Independent Journal)

July 26, 2016 – Bay Area's high housing costs leave local commuter trains without engineers

(Housing Wire)

July 24, 2016 – Bay Area housing costs have SMART commuter rail scrambling for engineers (The

Mercury News)

July 23, 2016 – North Bay housing costs have SMART scrambling for engineers (Marin Independent

Journal)

July 21, 2016 – CA: SMART Calls on Drivers to Think Safety as Trains Roll Through Marin (Mass

Transit)

July 20, 2016 – SMART calls on drivers to think safety as trains roll through Marin (Marin

Independent Journal)

July 18, 2016 – SMART train and Sonoma employers look for partnership possibilities

(Petaluma Argus Courier)

July 17, 2016 – SMART train and Sonoma employers look for partnership possibilities (Santa

Rosa Press Democrat)