Los Angeles, CA - The Biden Administration has awarded a $27 million federal grant to the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency, paving the way for a significant boost in Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service between Los Angeles and San Diego.
This funding will enable LOSSAN to add three new daily round trips, bringing the total number of daily trips between the two major cities to 13. Two of these new trains will commence service in March, with the third joining the schedule in November. This increase brings the Surfliner closer to achieving hourly service frequency between Los Angeles and San Diego.
This marks the first federal grant awarded to LOSSAN, the agency responsible for overseeing the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor. The grant will fully restore the pre-pandemic service frequency on this crucial segment of the Pacific Surfliner route.
Fullerton Mayor Fred Jung, who also serves as LOSSAN's vice chair, emphasized the positive impact this restoration will have on the region. "Increasing service levels significantly improves transportation options for residents, students, and visitors along the corridor, making train travel easier and more convenient," Jung stated.
The LOSSAN Rail Corridor traverses six counties, stretching from San Diego through Los Angeles and into San Luis Obispo. With 29 stations along its route, it stands as the second-busiest intercity rail corridor in the nation, trailing only the Northeast Corridor connecting Boston, New York City, and Washington D.C.
Despite a 16% decrease in service frequency since 2019, ridership on the Pacific Surfliner surged by 20% in 2024, exceeding 2 million passengers. This grant will not only restore pre-pandemic service levels but also cover operational costs for up to six years.
"The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train connects millions of people across our region each year," said Rep. Mike Levin (D-San Juan Capistrano). "The train is an integral part of our communities."
California has ambitious transportation goals for the future, and this increase in service frequency along the state's busiest rail line represents a crucial step towards achieving those objectives.
"The restored and enhanced train service will provide more consistent and reliable train service throughout the entire coastal corridor," Jung added. "This increase will effectively address the growing demand for intercity passenger rail travel in the region and alleviate current overcrowding issues by offering more frequent and reliable rail options."
While this expanded service focuses on the segment between Los Angeles and San Diego, plans are underway to extend improved service further north beginning in 2026, contingent on the availability of funding and necessary equipment.
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