COASTER
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| COASTER | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Type | Regional rail | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Locale | San Diego County, California, United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Terminals | Oceanside San Diego |
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| No. of stations | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Daily ridership | 6,000 (2006) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Opened | February 27, 1995 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner | North County Transit District | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operator(s) | TransitAmerica | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Line length | 41 mi (66 km) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The San Diego Coast Express Rail, or COASTER, is a regional rail service that operates in the Central and Northern coastal regions of San Diego County, California, United States. The service is operated by TransitAmerica on contract with North County Transit District (NCTD). The service has eight stops, in San Diego, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad, and Oceanside. Service operates primarily during weekday peak periods, but limited weekday midday, Friday evening, and Saturday service also exist. Special evening service is provided when the San Diego Padres play Monday-Thursday evening home games.
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[edit] History
San Diego Northern Railway (SDNR) purchased the tracks used by Coaster from the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway in 1994. NCTD created the subsidiary San Diego Northern Railway Corporation in 1994 and dissolved it in 2002.[1] Revenue Coaster service began February 27, 1995. Money for right-of-way acquisition and construction costs came from TransNet, a 1987 measure that imposed a 0.5% sales tax on San Diego County residents for transportation projects. NCTD originally contracted Amtrak to provide personnel for Coaster trains. On July 1, 2006, TransitAmerica took over the day-to-day operation of the commuter train, based on a five-year, USD 45 million contract with SDNR. TransitAmerica is a subsidiary of Missouri-based Herzog Transit Services.
The Coaster carried 700,000 passengers during its first year of operation. By 2004, it was carrying 1.4 million passengers annually. Approximately 40% of weekday commuters detrain at Sorrento Valley. NCTD owns 62 mi (100 km) of mainline track, as well as the 22 mi (35 km) Escondido Branch that will be served by the Sprinter that began serivce in March 2008. The Coaster commuter train runs on 41.1 mi (66.1 km) of the mainline.
NCTD maintains two rail yards. One is shared with the San Diego Trolley at 12th & Imperial in Centre City San Diego. It is used to store trainsets during the midday. The other, located north of Oceanside at Stuart Mesa on Camp Pendleton, is shared with Metrolink. This is where the main maintenance facility is located.
[edit] Station stops
| Station | Rail Services | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | |||
| Oceanside | COASTER | ||
| Carlsbad Village | COASTER | ||
| Zone 2 | |||
| Carlsbad Poinsettia | COASTER | ||
| Encinitas | COASTER | ||
| Solana Beach | COASTER
Pacific Surfliner |
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| Zone 3 | |||
| Sorrento Valley | COASTER | ||
| Zone 4 | |||
| Old Town San Diego | COASTER
Pacific Surfliner |
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| Downtown San Diego (Santa Fe Depot) |
COASTER
Pacific Surfliner San Diego Trolley |
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[edit] Ticketing
The cost of Coaster tickets is based upon the number of zones traveled (see map). Tickets must be purchased before boarding, and will occasionally be checked by roving fare inspectors (often between the Solana Beach and Sorrento Valley stations). Discounted ten-ride tickets and monthly passes are available. Seniors, the disabled, and youth discounts are also available. All tickets and passes include transfer agreements with regular NCTD buses (the "Breeze") and Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) buses and Trolleys. Coaster and Amtrak also have a Rail 2 Rail program that permits Coaster monthly pass holders and Amtrak ticket holders to use either service within the area covered by their pass or ticket. As of April 2008, regular one-way fares are as follows:
- Within one zone: $4.00
- Within two zones: $4.50
- Within three zones: $5.00
- Within four zones: $5.50
While tickets are not checked on all trips, penalties for riding the Coaster without a valid ticket include a penalty fare of up to $250. Riders cannot purchase tickets onboard the train. Monthly passes are available for between $115.00 to $154.00.
[edit] Fleet
| Builder | Type | Purchased | Numbers |
|---|---|---|---|
| GM-EMD | F40PH-2C | 1994 | 2101-2105 |
| GM-EMD | F59PHI | 2001 | 3001+3002 |
| Bombardier | Bi-Level Coach | N/A | 28 |
Most trains run with 5 coaches.
[edit] Bike rider information
'24xx' series coaches have space for 6 bikes (4 on north end, 2 on south end).
'25xx' series coaches have space for 6 bikes (all in the south end of the coach).
[edit] Connecting rail and bus transit services
The Coaster connects with Amtrak at Oceanside, Solana Beach, and San Diego. It also connects with Metrolink at Oceanside. The Coaster connects to the Trolley at Old Town and Centre City San Diego. Beginning in 2008, there is now a commuter rail that goes from Oceanside to Escondido, called SPRINTER.
Riders can use free [2] shuttles at Sorrento Valley to access employment centers in Sorrento Valley, Sorrento Mesa, Torrey Pines, and University City. Coaster Connection shuttles also provide residents with access to the Coaster in Encinitas and Carlsbad. The VA Hospital, University of California, San Diego, and area employers also provide shuttle service to the Sorrento Valley station.
In Centre City and Old Town, commuters can connect with MTS Trolleys and buses, including The Flyer from Centre City to Lindbergh Field. NCTD provides "Breeze" bus service connecting with the Coaster at all North County station stops.
[edit] Future prospects
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This article or section contains information about a planned or expected public transportation infrastructure. It may contain information of a speculative nature and the content may change dramatically as the construction and/or completion of the infrastructure approaches, and more information becomes available. |
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The Coaster remains stable for the foreseeable future. San Diego County voters extended the TransNet sales tax through 2038, which includes some funds for track upgrades. A new station is planned for the University City area, at Nobel Drive in the Golden Triangle. NCTD and other public agencies have expressed interest in tunnelling through Golden Triangle to avoid the circuitous route through Miramar. Plans to double track more of the NCTD-owned mainline are also being considered.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] References
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