The plan includes separate sections for passenger and freight rail, including a short-term four year program of projects, a 10-year interim program, and a long-term “vision” with a 2040 horizon year. The passenger component of the plan is based on a proposed “Integrated Network” to provide “Core Services” with coordinated schedules and efficient transfers providing access to and supporting convenient intercity rail travel.
This ambitious plan is intended to establish a long term framework to guide service planning and investment decisions that supports, or does not preclude, development of the integrated network. The passenger rail planning effort includes a market assessment, a rail infrastructure review (a.k.a. capacity analysis), and a refinement of network service scenarios. Outside the scope of the plan but a necessary next step is an analysis of organizational structures required to support the plan’s implementation.
The plan reflects the goal of auto-competitive alternatives for statewide travel and a connection to the statewide High-Speed Rail network at Gilroy. The plan includes intercity bus options as well as rail, and much of the service proposed for the Central Coast region is envisioned to be bus in the near term, while planning for increased rail service in the longer term.
The 2022 scenario includes the Salinas Rail Extension project, with two round trips to San Jose, including new stations at Pajaro/Watsonville and Castroville and early investments in Coast Route stations in Soledad and King City.
The 2027 scenario calls for bi-hourly service connecting Salinas to Gilroy, and bi-hourly integrated rail/bus service between Salinas and San Luis Obispo.
The 2040 vision anticipates a regional rail network on the Central Coast with connections between Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Salinas to Gilroy, with hourly service, and hubs at Pajaro/Watsonville to Santa Cruz and at Castroville to Monterey.
The full plan is online as web attachment 1. Caltrans also prepared an Executive Summary (web attachment 2) and flyer (web attachment 3).
An online interactive mapping tool (web attachment 4) provides an interface with the existing rail network and the 2040 Vision, allowing users to explore what California's rail network looks like today and the vision for what it will look like in the future.
Staff presented the plan at the November 6 Rail Policy Committee meeting and gathered input for a comment letter from the Agency (attached), due December 11.