Legislation to Revitalize Southern California Rail Passes Senate, Is Sent to Governor

SACRAMENTO – Legislation by Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, to revitalize the rail corridor that runs from San Diego through six Southern California counties to San Luis Obispo passed the Senate on Wednesday and was sent to the Governor to sign.

SB 1098, which follows on the work of the Senate Transportation Subcommittee on LOSSAN Rail Corridor Resiliency chaired by Sen. Blakespear, aims to provide stronger management and planning for the rail line to optimize passenger service.

“If we are serious about meeting our region’s mobility, air quality and climate goals‚ we must dramatically increase rail ridership,” said Sen. Blakespear. “SB 1098 sets the foundation for better management and planning of the LOSSAN rail corridor so we can boost ridership and get the most out of this line.”

There has been growing concern in recent years over the LOSSAN Rail Corridor’s vulnerability. Unstable bluffs or hillsides and coastal hazards in areas across the 351 miles have resulted in prolonged shutdowns to rail service – including five times in Orange County over the last three years, most recently from late January to late March this year.

SB 1098, for the first time, creates a framework to facilitate coordinated planning and prioritization of goals among the many stakeholders that are responsible for the corridor every day.

Hearings held by the Senate LOSSAN subcommittee in 2023 and 2024 highlighted the importance of the rail line, which is the nation’s second-busiest intercity rail corridor, and the many threats confronting it. Advocates, stakeholders and the media have encouraged the state to take bolder action to protect the track from future threats and enhance service.

SB 1098 requires a state-convened working group to identify the necessary steps that result in improved ridership, utilization and management of the rail corridor. The bill directs the state transportation agency in coordination with the state’s natural resource agencies to identify prioritized capital and resiliency projects that ensure the long-term viability of the corridor.

SB 1098 also mandates regular reporting to the Legislature on corridor performance and directs the state’s transportation secretary to convene stakeholders as necessary to ensure a high performance of rail services.

Last year, Sen. Blakespear authored SB 677, which was signed into law. It directs the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency – which oversees the corridor in coordination with rail owners, operators and planning agencies – to include an assessment of the effects of climate change in its annual business plan that outlines the agency’s major goals and objectives. The assessment must also identify projects to increase climate resiliency and funding options for those projects.

Elected in 2022, Sen. Blakespear represents Senate District 38, which covers northern San Diego County and part of southern Orange County. To learn more about the district and Sen. Blakespear, visit her Senate website.