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.)

Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission meeting

9 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 7. at Scotts Valley City Council chambers, 1 Civic Center Drive, Scotts Valley.
Join in person or on Zoom or by phone at 312-626-6799, meeting ID 895 9717 3447.

SANTA CRUZ >> Transportation leaders this week released a draft concept report for passenger rail service in Santa Cruz County that said fares could be $5 and trains would come every 30 minutes during the day.

The 312-page report expanded on a summary of the $4.3 billion proposal released in early June. On Thursday, Aug. 7, transportation commissioners are set to consider the report.

After a final concept report is presented this fall, commissioners could give transportation commission staff approval to continue planning for train service, put plans on hold or to wait for more information.

A $4.3 billion train from Santa Cruz to Pajaro likely would mean a new sales tax, Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission staff said in June.

The report released this week envisions:

Potential fares of $5 per ride and $2.50 for youth, seniors, people with disabilities and low-income riders. Alternatively, fares could be priced based on the length of a trip.
Service every 30 minutes from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
12 miles of the Coastal Rail Trail from Aptos to Watsonville. The proposed trail would bypass the Watsonville sloughs to run along San Andreas Road and Beach and Rodriguez streets.
Travel times of 45-70 minutes between Natural Bridges and Pajaro, including nine stops.

Costs could include:

A $4.3 billion price tag for construction, including $3 billion in estimated costs and a $1.3 billion contingency for unanticipated expenses.
Annual operating costs of $34 million to $41 million.
4,200-5,300 projected daily boardings on weekdays in 2045.

The train proposal has faced some heavy criticism amid fears that its construction would require a voter-approved sales tax hike. Sales taxes in Santa Cruz County are already higher than most in the state. The transportation commission is expected to release an analysis Monday on a tax hike that would be needed to fund the train’s construction.

The existing railroad tracks, and the underlying structure supporting them, would likely need to be entirely replaced, this week’s report stated. The transportation commission voted to complete a conceptual report for rail service in 2022.

zeprt-rail-trail-stations-report-july-2025-16-9

A proposed route on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line includes nine stations. The plan also includes part of the Coastal Rail Trail. (HDR Engineering Inc.)

zeprt-station-cross-section-july-2025-16-9

A preliminary design for stations on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail line. (HDR Engineering Inc.)

How to participate

On Monday Aug. 4, Transportation Commission staff have scheduled office hours for feedback and questions about the rail proposal. Half-hour individual meetings are available:

11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Aug. 4 at Watsonville Civic Plaza Community Room, 275 Main Street, 4th floor, Watsonville.
11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Aug. 5 at the Regional Transportation Commission Office, 1101 Pacific Ave, Suite 250, Santa Cruz.
Attend either day on Zoom, passcode 176048.
Optionally, attendees can sign up for a half-hour meeting in advance.

Or, email [email protected] by Aug. 22 to comment on the plan.

Transportation commissioners ask for tax hike info in train proposal — June 12, 2025
Map: Rail trail updates in Santa Cruz County
Report projects $4.3 billion price tag for Santa Cruz County passenger rail — June 6, 2025

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