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The Altamont Corridor Express (reporting mark HTSX; formerly the Altamont Commuter Express) also known as ACE, pronounced "ace") is a commuter rail service in California connecting Stockton and San Jose. It is named for the Altamont Pass, through which it runs. The service began October 19, 1998, with two trains each way, weekdays only. In November 2009 three trains a day each way began, and four trains a day in September 2012.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=ACE Train Schedule )〕 There are ten stops along the route; travel time is about 2 hours and 10 minutes end-to-end. The tracks are owned by Union Pacific. ACE uses Bombardier BiLevel Coaches and MPI F40PH-3C locomotives. Service is managed by the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission and operations are contracted to Herzog Transit Services, using AAR assigned reporting marks HTSX. , average weekday ridership is 3,700.〔American Public Transportation Association, (Commuter Rail Transit Ridership Report ), Third Quarter 2008.〕 ACE has explored the possibility of expanding on two lines—a Modesto-Sacramento line, and a Stockton-Pittsburg line.〔(Report ), ACE website, access date July 22, 2008〕 ==History and funding== The Altamont Commuter Express (the original name) was established for San Joaquin County residents traveling to work in Santa Clara County. ACE trains are presently limited to morning departures from Stockton and return departures from San Jose in the afternoon. The trains were popular at first, then had to survive a severe drop in ridership due to the dot-com recession of 2002. Struggles with freight traffic interference and track reconstruction prevented the addition of a fourth train until September 2012.〔 The operation is funded by local sales taxes, with support from state and federal sources. Service began under the governance of the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission Joint Powers Authority formed in 1997 by Alameda, San Joaquin, and Santa Clara counties. The present Rail Commission has of one member each from the San Joaquin and Alameda county boards of supervisors, one BART representative, and representatives of five cities. Cost sharing for capital projects, excluding stations, during the initial 36 months of service was determined by the ACE Authority on a case by case basis and approved by each of the member agencies. The initial purchase of rolling stock, construction of stations, and other start-up costs, amounting to some $48 million, were covered primarily by a San Joaquin County transportation sales tax approved several years earlier, along with state and federal funding. Cooperative services agreements with the Alameda County Congestion Agency and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority spell out funding of operations, maintenance and capital improvements. Currently, station improvements are the responsibility of the county in which the station is located. ACE pays the owner of the right of way, Union Pacific Railroad, about $1.5 million per year; it also uses about four miles (6 km) of Caltrain track in San Jose. In Fiscal Year 2006-7 the 675 thousand ACE trips generated fare-box revenues of some $4 million, about 30% of the $13.3 million operating and administrative cost. Most of the annual operating costs are underwritten by San Joaquin, Alameda, and Santa Clara counties in proportion to the boardings and alightings in each county. San Joaquin County funds its $2.32 million contribution from a half-cent transportation sales tax (30% of the tax adopted in 1990 and renewed in 2006 is allocated to bus, bicycle, rail, and pedestrian programs. The Alameda County Congestion Management Authority pays its $1.8 million share from its half-cent transportation sales tax (1.2% of its Measure B budget). Santa Clara County’s $2.6 million share is paid by the Valley Transportation Authority, operator of the county’s light rail and bus system, which also contributes about $1.5 million for shuttle services that take ACE commuters from train stops to job sites. Miscellaneous revenues, of some $2.5 million are supplied from federal and state grants, including Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds. Each county absorbs its own administrative costs, estimated at $2.4 million annually. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Altamont Corridor Express」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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