California State Rail Plan 2005-06 to 2015-16

Chapter IX – Commuter Rail Services
BACKGROUND
The North San Diego County Transit Development Board (Board) was created by
State law in 1975 to plan, construct, and operate itself or through a contractor, a
public transit system in its area of jurisdiction. In 1976, the Board formed the
North County Transit District (NCTD) for the purpose of providing integrated
public transit services within the North San Diego County region.
In 1987, voters approved the Proposition A “TransNet” Ordinance, which
provided funding for future transit projects and improvements to the existing
system. At the same time, planning began on the Coaster commuter rail service
between Oceanside and San Diego. In order to expand rail passenger services, in
1992 the Board purchased a significant segment of the LOSSAN Rail Corridor
from the ATSF.
In 1994, the Board created a non-profit corporation called the San Diego Northern
Railway (SDNR) to maintain, enhance, and operate the SDNR facilities and
Coaster Express Rail Service. In 2002, SB 1703 consolidated the planning,
programming, and construction functions under the San Diego Association of
Governments. Also in 2002, the Board voted to dissolve the SDNR and directly
manage rail services and facilities. Coaster rail service began on February 27,
1995 between Oceanside and San Diego.
The Board owns the portion of the LOSSAN Rail Corridor from the
Orange/San Diego County Line (at Mile Post 207.4) south to the city limits of
Del Mar/San Diego (at Mile Post 245.6). The Metropolitan Transit Development
Board (MTDB) owns the portion of the LOSSAN Rail Corridor from that point
south to the Santa Fe Depot in San Diego (at Mile Post 267.6). Per agreement, the
NCTD also provides maintenance of the LOSSAN Rail Corridor in MTDB’s area
of ownership.
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The Board of Directors of NCTD is comprised of one member of each of the city
councils of the cities of Carlsbad, Del Mar, Encinitas, Escondido, Oceanside,
Solana Beach, San Marcos, and Vista, and one member from the San Diego
County Board of Supervisors.
ROUTE AND SERVICE DESCRIPTION
The Coaster serves eight stations between San Diego and Oceanside and operates
22 trains per day Monday through Thursday, with 26 trains on Friday and frequent
service during peak periods. Eight round-trips are operated on Saturday.
No service is operated on Sunday or holidays. The running time from San Diego
to Oceanside is approximately 57 minutes. All Coaster trains are wheelchair
accessible.
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