California Department of Transportation

Headquarters - External Affairs Office
Steve Saville, External Affairs
(619) 688-6678

http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news

April 21 , 2004 

CALTRANS ADDS COASTER TO POPULAR RAIL2RAIL PROGRAM

San Diego -- The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) today announced the North County Transit District (NCtd) as a new partner in the Rail2Rail program that will allow passenger rail and commuter rail passengers to use either the Pacific Surfliner or Coaster commuter service between San Diego and Oceanside.

Caltrans Amtrak operates the Pacific Surfliner through a contract with Caltrans.

"The Rail2Rail program been a tremendous success in Los Angeles, and we’re building on that achievement by adding the NCtd to the program,” said Caltrans Acting Director Tony Harris. "Using multiple rail systems will make transit easier for rail passengers in the San Diego area.”

The change becomes effective this month when commuters who buy Coaster monthly tickets can then use either Amtrak Pacific Surfliner or Coaster trains between San Diego and the Oceanside Transit Center. Coaster trains will honor Amtrak ticket holders boarding trains at the two cities and at Solana Beach. This convenient ticket program is expected to increase ridership on the route.

Starting in 2002, Caltrans, Amtrak and Metrolink implemented Rail2Rail, which allowed passengers to ride and transfer between the Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink trains from Oxnard (via Los Angeles) to Oceanside.

Caltrans, Amtrak and NCtd officials met this morning in San Diego and Oceanside to launch the new partnership.