Oceanside, CA—Starting October 9, 2017, Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains will no longer service the Carlsbad Poinsettia or Encinitas COASTER stations. Currently, six of the eight Pacific Surfliner Rail-2-Rail trains stop at these stations each day as part of an agreement that benefits local Amtrak passengers and COASTER ticket holders. The upcoming changes are intended to better align station stops with ridership demand. Stations just to the north and south of the affected stations will continue to offer Rail-2-Rail service for these six trains.
The Rail-2-Rail agreement between Amtrak and North County Transit District (NCTD) allows for passengers to utilize eight specific Amtrak trains each day listed in the COASTER schedule with a COASTER ticket. These Amtrak trains will stop at certain COASTER stations along the way.
Effective October 9, 2017:
- Southbound Amtrak Rail-2-Rail 784, 790/1790, 796, and northbound 567/1567, 573, 595 trains will service the following stations: Oceanside, Carlsbad Village, Solana Beach, Sorrento Valley, Old Town San Diego, and Santa Fe Depot.*
- Southbound Amtrak Rail-2-Rail 592, and northbound 761/1761 trains are not affected by this change and will continue to service the following stations: Oceanside, Solana Beach, Old Town San Diego, and Santa Fe Depot.*
*Train numbers are subject to change. Passengers should check train schedule prior to purchasing tickets.
The Amtrak Rail-2-Rail agreement is suspended for COASTER passengers on certain dates throughout the year when Pacific Surfliner trains are projected to be operating at high capacity. These dates are listed on NCTD’s website well in advance of each suspension.
Amtrak and NCTD are part of the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency and work together to find solutions that are mutually beneficial to passengers of both agencies in San Diego County.
