Amtrak adding another train along busy Southern California corridor

Another Pacific Surfliner train will be traversing the coast of Southern California and connecting the Central Coast to the busy industry centers in the Los Angeles basin beginning next month.

Amtrak has announced a new daily Pacific Surfliner roundtrip option beginning May 4, that will increase the number of daily trains between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara to six, and L.A. to San Luis Obispo to three.

Officials say the new train will provide better options for commuters during “peak weekday rush hour periods,” and improve connectivity throughout the region.

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“Expanding Pacific Surfliner service helps strengthen regional mobility and provides travelers with more convenient options along the Central Coast,” said LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency Managing Director Jason Jewell. “This new roundtrip improves connectivity across the corridor and offers riders a comfortable alternative to driving.”

The 351-mile LOSSAN Corridor connects San Luis Obispo County in the north with San Diego County in the south. Officials say it’s the busiest state-supported Amtrak route and its 2 million annual riders make it the second-busiest intercity rail corridor behind only the Northeast Corridor that connects Boston to Washington D.C.

In total, the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner services 29 stations between San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

The additional commuter train is particularly important for residents and workers in Santa Barbara County, which has one of the highest costs of living in California, With many workers forced to battle the 101 Freeway to get to their job, local governments in recent years have attempted to kickstart a new route between L.A. and Goleta that would be serviced by Metrolink.

Read More: Why your next affordable vacation destination should be in this rural Northern California county

The plan for that Southern California passenger rail system to expand into Santa Barbara County was eventually put on hold and scrapped, with the focus then shifting to increasing Surfliner regularity with the assistance of Measure A sales tax funding.

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner versus Metrolink trains

One benefit to Amtrak versus Metrolink is a more robust line of amenities. Unlike Metrolink, Surfliner trains feature free onboard Wi-Fit which makes it easier for riders to work or study during their trips. Many Surfliner trains also feature snacks and beverages for purchase, as well as business class options.

Surfliner tickets do tend to be more expensive than Metrolink passes, although it depends on the specific route. Many Amtrak trains can be boarded with a Metrolink ticket through the two agencies’ codeshare program.

In addition to Santa Barbara County workers, Ventura County residents should also reap the benefits of the new route.

“This new roundtrip strengthens Ventura County’s connection to the broader Southern California rail network,” said Ventura County Transportation Commission Executive Director Martin Erickson. “By providing more travel options during busy weekday travel periods, we’re making it easier for residents and workers to move throughout the region.”

The process of increasing Amtrak service in Southern California is an ongoing collaboration between local, state and federal leaders. To celebrate and promote the important milestone, the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments will be hosting an employee forum at the Hilton Garden Inn in Goleta on April 22—Earth Day. The event is meant to inform local employers about commuting options in the area, whether with the Surfliner or otherwise.

In the meantime, prospective travelers can check the Surfliner website for the most up-to-date route plans, including before and after the May 4 kickoff.

To find and book Surfliner trips online, click here. Have you ridden the Surfliner before? Let us know in the comments.