California State Rail Plan 2005-06 to 2015-16

2005-06 – 2015-16 California State Rail Plan
TEN-YEAR PLANNED TRAIN SERVICE EXPANSION PLANS
INCREASED SERVICE FREQUENCIES
The Department anticipates there will be eventual demand for 13 round-trips on
the Pacific Surfliners between San Diego and Los Angeles.
It is important to note that the start-up dates for service are based on projected
service needs. Demonstrated ridership demand, approval from Amtrak and the
relevant railroad(s), availability of capital funding and equipment, completion of
necessary capital projects, and availability of additional operating funding will
affect when each of the service improvements can be implemented.
The Department’s proposed expansion of the Pacific Surfliner Route is as follows:
2009-10 Los Angeles-San Diego, twelfth round-trip.
2012-13 Los Angeles-San Diego, thirteenth round-trip.
2013-14 Los Angeles-Goleta, sixth round-trip,
Goleta-San Luis Obispo, third round-trip.
SAN FRANCISCO TO SAN LUIS OBISPO (AND LOS ANGELES)
EXTENSION
The extension of the Pacific Surfliners from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco via
the Coast Route would close a key gap in the State-supported intercity rail system
by providing direct train service from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
The Department plans one round-trip train between San Francisco and San Luis
Obispo, starting in 2007-08, with a second train in 2013-14. The first train would
be operated from San Luis Obispo to Los Angeles as an extension of the new
Pacific Surfliner train added on November 17, 2004, and would provide through
train service between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The second train would
operate as an extension of the planned third Los Angeles-San Luis Obispo roundtrip.
Direct train connections to San Diego at Los Angeles would be available on
most trips. Regional transportation planning agencies have led the planning for
this extension. The Department expects that both regional and local agencies will
continue to provide an important role in the planning and operation of this
extension. For more detailed information on this route expansion see Chapter X.
ROUTE HISTORY AND PERFORMANCE
Amtrak was created in 1971 to revitalize passenger rail service. Its San Diegan
Route operated on tracks owned by Atchison Topeka and Santa Fe Railway
(ATSF) between Los Angeles and San Diego. These trains functioned primarily
as a connection to long-haul trains, as opposed to a local transportation network
for passengers traveling within the corridor. By the end of 1971, service was three
daily round-trips, and remained at this level until State involvement began in 1976.
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