Sen. Blakespear Applauds Federal Funding to Restore Rail Service Between SD and LA
SACRAMENTO – Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, applauded the announcement today of a $27.1 million federal grant to restore rail service between San Diego and Los Angeles to pre-pandemic levels to reduce passenger overcrowding and improve the riding experience.
The grant, provided by the Federal Rail Administration through its Restoration and Enhancement Grants Program, will pay for three additional roundtrips daily between the two cities, the nation’s 2nd and 8th largest in population, on the LOSSAN Rail Corridor for six years. The LOSSAN corridor is one of six rail corridors nationally awarded funds through the program and the only one in California. The state is providing matching funds.
“Having more frequent options to go between San Diego and Los Angeles by train, instead of sitting in traffic on the I-5 freeway, is a major improvement for residents’ quality of life throughout Southern California,” Sen. Blakespear said. “With this grant, more people can travel conveniently on rail, and the LOSSAN Rail Corridor can continue to improve service, build ridership and strengthen its foundation.”
The federal grant will reduce demand on certain trains and make rail travel between San Diego and Los Angeles more frequent and reliable. By enhancing rail service, this funding will help reduce traffic congestion, lower greenhouse gas emissions and the state meet its climate goals.
As Chair of the Senate Transportation Subcommittee on LOSSAN Rail Corridor Resiliency, Sen. Blakespear has sought to revitalize LOSSAN, which is the nation’s second-busiest passenger rail line and serves six counties with nearly 20 million residents.
In 2024, Sen. Blakespear authored SB 1098 to provide stronger management and planning for the rail line to optimize passenger service. SB 1098, which was signed into law by the Governor, creates a framework to facilitate coordinated planning and prioritization of goals among the many stakeholders responsible for the corridor every day.
In 2023, Gov. Newsom signed Sen. Blakespear’s SB 677. It directed the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency – which manages the Pacific Surfliner service 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.
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 four years, most recently from late January to late March last year.
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.