Two Weekends of Suspended Rail Service Help NCTD Improve Rider Experience, Increase Service Reliability, and Meet Future Train Frequency Goals
Oceanside, CA – The North County Transit District (NCTD) will suspend all coastal rail line service between the Oceanside Transit Center and Santa Fe Depot during the weekends of October 3-5 and 17-19, 2020 to allow for infrastructure improvements and maintenance work.Weekend COASTER service is currently suspended due to COVID-19 service reductions; however, the October closures will affect Metrolink and Amtrak trains. Service suspension will begin each Saturday at 12 a.m. and remain in place until the following Monday at 5 a.m., enabling rail service to resume in time for the weekday morning commute.
These weekend closures, referred to as Absolute Work Windows (AWWs), occur occasionally throughout the year on a pre-determined schedule. AWWs provide construction crews the opportunity to work safely and unimpeded on and along the rail line to perform improvements and maintenance work.
While no passenger or freight trains will operate during these weekend closures, other test trains and construction vehicles and equipment will be active along the railroad right-of-way and on the tracks throughout the weekend. Residents along the corridor should remain alert and the traveling public is reminded to only cross the tracks at lawfully designated rail crossings.
During the closure weekends, neither Amtrak Pacific Surfliner nor Metrolink will service the Oceanside Transit Center. Amtrak bus services will require an Amtrak reservation and Rail 2 Rail passes will not be honored. On the Fridays preceding the closures, October 2 and October 16 respectively, southbound Amtrak Rail 2 Rail train A796 will be serviced by bus from Los Angeles to San Diego, making stops at Oceanside, Solana Beach, Old Town San Diego, and Santa Fe Depot. Amtrak customers may visit PacificSurfliner.com or call 800-872-7245 for the latest information.
Replacement bus service connecting COASTER stations will not be available. Alternatives for some COASTER passengers may include BREEZE Route 101 or MTS connections.
Passengers should note that trains may be delayed up to 15 minutes on the Mondays following each AWW, October 5 and October 19 respectively. Service reductions for weekday COASTER trains will remain in effect, and riders can find the most up-to-date COASTER schedule information on NCTD’s Schedule webpage.
