COASTER

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San Diego Coaster
Reporting marks	SDNR
Locale	Oceanside to San Diego
Dates of operation	1995 – present
Track gauge	4 ft 8½ in (1435 mm) (standard gauge)
Headquarters	Oceanside, California

The San Diego Coast Express Rail, or COASTER, is a commuter rail service administered by the San Diego Northern Railway (SDNR), a subsidiary of the North County Transit District (NCTD) and operated by Amtrak. Beginning in July 2006, TransitAmerica, a subsidiary of Missouri-based Herzog Transit Services, is slated to begin a five-year, $45 million contract. The Coaster services the central and northern coastal region of San Diego County, California, with eight regular station 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 exists. Special evening service is provided when the San Diego Padres play Monday-Thursday evening home games.

[edit] History

Coaster F40PH-2C #2103 at Encinitas station.

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 contracts with Amtrak to provide personnel for Coaster trains. The present contract expires on June 30, 2006. Starting on July 1, 2006, TransitAmerica is slated to take over the day-to-day operation of the commuter train.

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]

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, with another 50% detraining in Centre City San Diego.

NCTD owns 62 miles of mainline track, as well as the 22-mile Escondido Branch that will be served by the Sprinter beginning in 2007. The Coaster commuter train runs on 48 miles 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

Coaster System Map  It should be possible to replace this fair use image with a freely licensed one. If you can, please do so as soon as is practical.

• Zone 1
  • Oceanside - Shared with Amtrak and Metrolink
  • Carlsbad Village
• Zone 2
  • Carlsbad Poinsettia
  • Encinitas
  • Solana Beach - Shared with Amtrak
• Zone 3
  • Sorrento Valley
• Zone 4
  • Old Town - Shared with San Diego Trolley (and on weekends, Amtrak)
  • Centre City San Diego (Santa Fe Depot) - Shared with Amtrak and Trolley

[edit] Ticketing

The cost of Coaster tickets is based upon the number of zones traveled (see map). Tickets must be purchased and validated before boarding, and they 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 Rail2Rail 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 September 2005, regular one-way fares are as follows:

• Within one zone: $3.75
• Within two zones: $4.25
• Within three zones: $4.75
• Within four zones: $5.25

While tickets are not checked on all trips, penalties for riding the Coaster without a valid ticket include a fine of up to $250. Riders cannot purchase tickets onboard the train.

[edit] Rolling stock

• F40PH-2C - Separate HEP; manufactured by Boise (later MPI); purchased in 1994.
• EMD F59PHI - Manufactured by GM EMD; purchased after the F40PH-2C.
• Bombardier - Bi-level coaches [2]; both coach and cab-car configurations. In June 006, NCTD approved an across-the-board fare increase. Coaster ticket prices are now as follows:

-Within 1 zone $4.00 -Within 2 zones $4.50 -Within 3 zones $5.00 -Within 4 zones $5.50 There is still the $2.00 discount when you transfer from the Breeze. You still need a Breeze pass to get the discount, though.

[edit] Connecting rail and bus transit services

Coaster Cab Car #2306 at Santa Fe Depot. (Trainweb.com)

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.

Riders can use free Coaster Connection 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, UCSD, 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

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] Sprinter Line

The NCTD has purchased and is rehabilitating the 22-mile former Santa Fe Railway branch from Oceanside to Escondido. Construction has begun on what will be known as the Sprinter Line and is progressing from east to west. Work is scheduled for completion in December 2007. The line will be operated by diesel multiple units.

[edit] See Also

• San Diego Public Transportation

[edit] External links

• Coaster Information
• Official NCTD Site