California State Rail Plan 2005-06 to 2015-16

Chapter X – Potential New Services
CHAPTER X
POTENTIAL NEW SERVICES
This Chapter contains a discussion on six potential intercity passenger rail routes,
four of them proposed by the Department for service in the ten-year period.
Figure 10A displays the six potential intercity passenger rail routes. Also, highspeed
rail and magnetic levitation projects in California are discussed. Chapter IX
discusses proposed extensions of existing commuter rail services as well as
proposed new commuter rail services.
PROPOSED INTERCITY RAIL ROUTES
This section includes a description of the four new routes that the Department
proposes for service in this ten-year plan. The routes are discussed in order of
potential implementation by year: San Francisco to San Luis Obispo (and
Los Angeles); Sacramento to Reno; Sacramento to Redding; and Los Angeles to
Indio. Included for each route is a summary of current service to the area, recent
studies of the route, and the Department’s current service proposal.
The implementation of all new service is subject to demonstrated ridership
demand, approval from Amtrak and the relevant railroad(s), availability of
operating and capital funding and equipment, and completion of necessary capital
projects.
SAN FRANCISCO TO SAN LUIS OBISPO (AND LOS ANGELES) VIA
COAST ROUTE
The extension of the Pacific Surfliners from San Luis Obispo to San Francisco
would close a key gap in the State-supported intercity rail system by providing
direct train service from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Regional transportation
planning agencies have led the planning for this extension and will continue to
provide an important role in the planning and operation of this extension.
Background
Currently only one daily round-trip Coast Starlight train connects Oakland and
San Jose with Los Angeles via the Coast with intermediate stops including
Salinas, Paso Robles, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara on its route from
Seattle. Also a round-trip Amtrak Thruway bus from San Luis Obispo to
San Francisco started on November 17, 2004 with the inauguration of the second
Los Angeles-San Luis Obispo Pacific Surfliner. Ridership on this entire bus route
was over 18,000 in 2004-05. Additionally, one round-trip Amtrak Thruway bus
from San Jose to Santa Barbara connects the Capitol Corridor to Santa Barbara.
Ridership on this bus route was 12,000 in 2004-05.
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