We are focusing on mid-sized metropolitan regions like we have here in the Monterey Bay Area. While these regions often have traffic problems, they typically do not have public passenger rail transport which might relieve these pressures. However, for historical reasons, they frequently have underused rail routes through them. In our region, the traffic problems of Highway 1, the extreme costs ass
ociated with freeway expansion, the demonstrated tourist preference for electric trolleys, and the existence of the county-owned rail line combine provide a unique opportunity. We aim to bring low-cost, clean-energy, public rail transportation to the region, and take the inconvenience out of public transportation. We do this by integrating a number of leading-edge technologies in a low-risk manner as prime contractors and system integrators. Initially, we are building a private tourist-oriented line from Roaring Camp to the Boardwalk. Following that, we will build a private line from Hollister to Gilroy and then fill in public stops in between along the Santa Cruz branch line and Union Pacific main line. There are three divisions within Solar Rail. The first is developing an electric rail vehicle designed to run on existing tracks without need for overhead wires or third-rail power infrastructure. The second is a solar power division, which will build solar power plants along the customer’s already-owned rail right-of-way to provide more than enough power for the rail vehicles. Third, the rider’s experience is entirely through a smartphone app which provides scheduling, ticketing, billing, and route planning. More importantly, the app integrates with existing transportation systems to coordinate the rider’s entire trip for maximum convenience. Moreover, it enables planning of Green trips, shopping for Green Deals and earning Green rewards redeemable at Green business. The power division is largely funded through partnerships with international solar power manufacturers, as well as through our associations with the Global Solar Transportation Group, a consortium of sustainability & transportation companies. The solar plants will be owned by GSTG and electric power sold to Solar Rail customers. This will generate carbon credits. Solar Rail plans to participate in the Sustainable Showcase, Stearns & More Capital is proposing to build at Roaring Camp, that enables visitors to explore their sustainable future on land, sea, air & space. Public investment will provide funding for the rail right of way, track sidings and stops, and purchase of the rail vehicles. Solar Rail will operate the transportation system, with it's railroad company partners, with public subsidies. Fares are collected and, for fares sold for connecting transportation, a portion of the fare is retained. The vision for this ultra light rail project originated with Rocky Mountain Institute's Founder Amory Lovins, who we have a relationship with and is published in his book Reinventing Fire. With the support of Rod Diridon, Director Emeritus of the Mineta Transportation Institute and the namesake of Diridon Station in San Jose, the initial test bed is planned to be right here in Santa Cruz. Over half the population of the county lives within a mile of the county-owned and operated railroad line from Watsonville to Davenport. We have partnered with Roaring Camp Railroads and we have a letter of interest signed with the Roaring Camp CEO to use their facilities and track for our R&D efforts, as well as to use their land for initial solar plant installation. Our team consists of our executives, CEO Tom Padula, CFO Colin Young, Marketing VP Autumn Cardone, Board Advisor G Stearns, and our partners, the aforementioned Rod Diridon, Sharron Sarris, founder of the Monterey Bay Electric Vehicle Association, and Melani Clark CEO of Roaring Camp. We are members of the Friends of the Rail Trail, headed by Mark Mesiti Miller. We are partnered with the Global Solar Transportation Group, an international consortium of sustainable and transportation-related companies. We are also in discussions with SC&MB railroad and with Solar Roadways of Idaho, providers of solar pavement systems. Other advisors include Keith Holtaway of the Cabrillo SBDC. Solar Rail competed in the Monterey Startup Weekend in January, 2016 where we took third place and we are finalists in the Startup Monterey Bay Challenge.
