Residents pack a May 14 meeting on passenger rail options in Santa Cruz. (Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission)

SANTA CRUZ >> Residents’ input on potential train service in Santa Cruz County is being collected during events and drop-in hours in Santa Cruz and Watsonville in June and July. The deadline for feedback is Aug. 15.

The train would run along about 20 miles of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line from Santa Cruz to Pajaro. Nine train stations are proposed with alternatives to end the line at Depot Park or Natural Bridges Drive in Santa Cruz. 

The train project is being planned separately from the rail-trail paved path.

Nine train stations are proposed, including alternatives for the end of the line on Natural Bridges Drive or Depot Park in Santa Cruz. (HDR Engineering Inc.)

By the year 2045, riders would make 3,500 to 6,000 trips on the train each weekday, according to a June 6 Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission report. The ride between Santa Cruz and Pajaro would take an estimated 40-45 minutes.

The project would cost about $4.3 billion and would likely mean a sales tax hike in Santa Cruz County, transportation commission staff said this month. It also would sap state money for road repairs and other transportation projects. 

Some proponents of passenger rail in Santa Cruz County have said that expanding Highway 1 and adding bus-on-shoulder lanes have cost millions of dollars. They framed the costs of passenger rail as an equity issue, and said investments should be made to help South County residents commute to North County jobs. 

By Aug. 15, transportation commission staff want residents to “learn more, ask questions and share input” on the draft project concept, staff wrote.

Residents can drop by in person, online or by phone. Use webinar ID 985 5956 6422, passcode 176048 or call 408-638-0968. Registration is requested online but not required.

June drop-in times

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 24: Watsonville Civic Plaza, 275 Main St., Fourth Floor.
• 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 24: Online or by phone.

July drop-in times

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 14: Regional transportation commission office, 1101 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, Second Floor.
• 4 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, July 14: Online or by phone.
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 15: Watsonville Civic Plaza, 275 Main St., Fourth Floor.
• 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 15: Online or by phone.

More events are expected to be announced on the regional transportation commission website.

A train like this one in San Bernardino County was selected for preliminary study purposes in Santa Cruz County, Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission staff wrote. (HDR Engineering Inc.)

Read more

• Report projects $4.3 billion price tag for Santa Cruz County passenger rail – June 6, 2025
• Rail trail map and updates in Santa Cruz County – updated June 2025

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