A 2022 rendering shows a version of Segment 11 of the rail trail on Cliff Drive in Capitola. (Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission)

SANTA CRUZ >> For years, Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commissioners have considered multiple kinds of passenger rail on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line. Thursday morning, they will consider whether to commit to intercity rail over light rail, and discuss the potential price of prepping bridges for rail service.

Transportation commission staff have described three kinds of potential passenger rail service from Santa Cruz to Watsonville: 

• Intercity rail, which would have faster trains and fewer stops. 
• Commuter rail, which would have more stops and more frequent service.
• Light rail, which would have slower vehicles, more stops and overhead power lines.

Most state funding is earmarked for intercity rail, in line with California’s state rail plan, according to a transportation commission staff report. The state plan’s vision for the next 25 years calls for rail connections from Watsonville to Gilroy and the San Francisco Bay Area to the north — and Salinas and Southern California to the south.

Even if Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commissioners commit to intercity service with fewer stops, the train could have more frequent service with more stops aimed at commuters could run on the line separately with more stops at a different time of day, according to the staff report. 

Separately on Thursday, commissioners are set to discuss an estimated $1 billion price tag for repairing or replacing dozens of bridges to accommodate rail service. That total does not include potential bridges to accommodate the Coastal Rail Trail for bikes and pedestrians. 

Commission staff have said that federal funding could bear up to 80% of the cost of passenger rail construction. That could leave more than $200 million for state and local agencies to pay. 

A draft concept report with possible designs for the railway and projected costs for the entire project was pushed back to summer from its original due date of this month, according to the staff report. Transportation commission staff said in February that the report had been pushed to fall.

Potential federal funding for the rail has grown more uncertain in recent weeks. Transportation commission staff had been seeking a state grant for rail planning, but the program is now paused as state leaders wait to see if federal funding for California’s rail plans could be rescinded.

The RTC has considered different vehicle types. (Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission)

Read more

• Map: Rail trail updates in Santa Cruz County
• Santa Cruz council approves $900,000 for overdue rail trail segment – March 10, 2025
• Explainer: Upcoming decisions on the rail trail in Capitola – Feb. 28, 2025
• Watsonville council members discuss rail trail options – Feb. 14, 2025

Questions or comments? Email [email protected]. Santa Cruz Local is funded by members, major donors, sponsors and grants for the general support of our newsroom. Our news judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor support. Learn more about Santa Cruz Local and how it is funded.