California State Rail Plan 2005-06 to 2015-16

Chapter IX – Commuter Rail Services
Option 2 – Fixed rail vehicles would operate along the railroad ROW from
University Street in Redlands to the existing San Bernardino Metrolink Station or
alternatively, Metrolink service could be extended to a new station at E Street in
downtown San Bernardino and meet the new SANBAG service at this location.
The vehicle type would be compliant passenger vehicle – Diesel Multiple Unit
(DMU) – capable of operating with freight rail services and Metrolink type trains.
Most of the existing track would be constructed to be double-tracked to allow for
15-minute headways – all day. There may be sections that could be single-track in
order to reduce initial capital costs but still maintain service quality.
Daily ridership is projected at 7,104 for Option 1 and 11,000 for Option 2.
The estimated capital cost is $156 million for Option 1 and $144 million for
Option 2. The annual operating and maintenance cost is estimated to be about
$71 million for either option.
Santa Paula Branch Line
Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) acquired the Santa Paula
Branch Line from the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1995. The 32-mile long rail
line includes approximately 29 miles of existing track from Montalvo to Piru and
3 miles of abandoned (removed) track between Piru and Rancho Camulos. At the
western end of the line, there is a Metrolink layover facility and station at
Montalvo. At the eastern end of the line, in the City of Santa Clarita is the Saugus
Metrolink rail station, which serves the Santa Clarita Line.
The City of Santa Clarita and the Newhall Land & Farming Company have
expressed interest in reinstituting branch line service to connect to the Saugus
station and Metrolink service.
Currently, excursion services are operated between Fillmore and Santa Paula.
The UP provides limited freight rail service on this corridor. VCTC recently
initiated a study to investigate rail options on the Santa Paula Branch Line. There
are also plans for a recreational trail in the ROW.
Fullerton-Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Service Enhancement
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) decided at its October 14,
2005 meeting to pursue increased Metrolink service frequencies between Fullerton
and Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo. OCTA proposes to operate daily trains every
20 to 30 minutes between 5 a.m. and midnight. Currently Metrolink provides
mostly weekday peak-period service.
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