(a)
The department shall establish an advisory committee to assist the department in developing specifications for standard state-of-the-art California commuter and intercity rail cars and locomotives. The committee shall consist of representatives from all affected local transportation agencies as well as the department’s Division of Mass Transportation and one consumer representative.
(b)
The purpose of the standard equipment is to facilitate joint procurement in
economic quantities, to further interchangeability of equipment among corridors, and to reduce maintenance costs by minimizing the need for spare parts inventories.
(c)
To the extent possible, the committee shall rely on the department’s existing work in procuring new equipment for CalTrain.
(d)
The committee shall investigate the feasibility of a uniform design of a rail car shell which could be deployed in both intercity and commuter rail applications, with car interiors to be appropriately outfitted for either intercity or commuter service.
(e)
The committee shall consider two types of coach service, dining or cafe car service, or both, and economical sleeping car service for intercity applications.
(f)
The committee shall consider inclusion of
sanitary holding tanks and reasonable passenger amenities including, but not limited to, accommodations for a reasonable number of bicycles carried on board by passengers, for both intercity and commuter applications.
(g)
Intercity equipment specifications shall not be adopted unless approved by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.