Coaster (rail service)

Coaster (stylized as COASTER) (reporting marks NCTC, SDNX) is a commuter rail service in the central and northern coastal regions of San Diego County, California, United States, operated by the North County Transit District (NCTD). The 41-mile (66 km) commuter rail line features eight stops, with a travel time of about an hour and five minutes end-to-end. The service operates primarily during weekday peak periods, with limited midday, weekend and holiday service. The Coaster first entered service on February 27, 1995, and has since grown in ridership and capacity. In 2022, the line had a ridership of 735,100, or about 2,700 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2023.

"Coaster train" redirects here. For the roller coaster vehicle, see Roller coaster train.

COASTER
A Coaster train near Encinitas, March 2021.
Overview
Service typeCommuter rail
LocaleSan Diego County, California, United States
First serviceFebruary 27, 1995 (1995-02-27)
Current operator(s)North County Transit District
Former operator(s)
Ridership2,700 (weekdays, Q2 2023)[1]
Annual ridership735,100 (2022)[2]
Websitegonctd.com/coaster
Route
TerminiOceanside Transit Center
San Diego
Stops8[3]
Distance travelled41 mi (66 km)[4]
Average journey time1 hour, 5 minutes[3]
Train number(s)630-699
Line(s) usedSurf Line
Technical
Rolling stock7 locomotives, 28 coaches[4]
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Operating speed90 mph (140 km/h) (top)[5]
37.8 mph (61 km/h) (average)
Track owner(s)San Diego Association of Governments and North County Transit District
Route map
Amtrak
to Los Angeles
&
Metrolink
to San Bernardino
Maintenance facility
 Oceanside Transit Center
Metrolink (California) Amtrak
Sprinter
to Escondido Transit Center
 Carlsbad Village
 Carlsbad Poinsettia
 Encinitas
 Solana Beach
Amtrak
 Del Mar Fairgrounds
(planned, 2028[6])
Zone 1
Zone 2
 Sorrento Valley
Zone 2
Zone 3
Blue Line
to Westfield UTC
Green Line
to Santee Town Center
 Old Town San Diego
Amtrak
San Diego
Amtrak
 Convention Center
(planned, 2025[7])
Storage yard
Green Line
to 12th & Imperial Transit Center
Blue Line
to San Ysidro
Handicapped/disabled access All stations are accessible

History

The North San Diego County Transit Development Board was created in 1975 to consolidate and improve transit in northern San Diego County. Planning began for a San Diego–Oceanside commuter rail line, then called Coast Express Rail, in 1982.[8] Funding for right-of-way acquisition and construction costs came from TransNet, a 1987 measure that imposed a 0.5% sales tax on San Diego County residents for transportation projects.[8] The Board established the San Diego Northern Railway Corporation (SDNR) – a nonprofit operating subsidiary – in 1994.[8] SDNR purchased the 41 miles (66 km) of the Surf Line within San Diego County plus the 22-mile (35 km) Escondido Branch (later used for the SPRINTER) from the Santa Fe Railway that year.[9]

Coaster service began on February 27, 1995.[8] NCTD originally contracted Amtrak to provide personnel for Coaster trains.[10] In July 2006, TransitAmerica Services took over the day-to-day operation of the commuter train, based on a five-year, $45 million contract with NCTD.[10][11] In 2016, Bombardier Transportation replaced TransitAmerica as Coaster's operator.[12] In December 2018, NCTD achieved full implementation of positive train control along the entire Coaster route, making it one of only four railroads in the United States to achieve full implementation of this technology without needing an extension beyond 2018.[13]

Future
A Coaster train passes over a new concrete bridge (as part of a bridge replacement project) near the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.

San Diego County voters extended the TransNet sales tax through 2038, which includes funding for rail track upgrades. By the early 2010s, numerous improvements such as added double track and bridge replacements were in various stages of construction and design.[14] As part of the broader North Coast Corridor project, approximately $1 billion is planned to be spent on new segments of double track between San Diego and Orange County.[15]

Limited-use stations at the San Diego Convention Center and the Del Mar Racetrack for use during major events have been planned, and is expected to complete construction of the stations in late 2025.[16] A northward extension to Camp Pendleton was also proposed in 2011.[8][17]


Service

More than 20 Coaster trains run on weekdays,[18] with additional service on the weekends.[19] As of April 3, 2017, Coaster also added Friday Night service with trains running until a quarter after midnight. More weekend services operate during summer months and when there are special events, such as home games for the San Diego Padres. In March 2020, all weekend trains and some weekday trains were suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic; however, weekend service was reinstated on May 29, 2021.

Stations
Coaster route map (with other commuter lines included). This does not show routes of the San Diego Trolley.
Zone Location Station[20] Connections
1 Oceanside Oceanside Transit Center Amtrak Amtrak: Pacific Surfliner
North County Transit District: Sprinter
Metrolink (California) Metrolink: Orange County Line, Inland Empire–Orange County Line
Bus transport NCTD Breeze: 101, 302, 303, 313, 318, 392, 395
Bus transport Riverside Transit Agency: 202 (temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic)
Bus transport Greyhound Lines
Carlsbad Carlsbad Village Bus transport NCTD Breeze: 101, 315, 325
Carlsbad Poinsettia Bus transport NCTD Breeze: 444, 445
Encinitas Encinitas Bus transport NCTD Breeze: 101, 304, 309
Solana Beach Solana Beach Amtrak Amtrak: Pacific Surfliner
Bus transport NCTD Breeze: 101, 308
2 San Diego Sorrento Valley Bus transport MTS: 972, 973, 978, 979
3 Old Town Transit Center Amtrak Amtrak: Pacific Surfliner
San Diego Trolley: Green Line, Blue Line
Bus transport MTS: 8, 9, 10, 28, 30, 35, 44, 84X, 88, 105, 150
Santa Fe Depot Amtrak Amtrak: Pacific Surfliner
San Diego Trolley: Green Line, Blue Line
Bus transport MTS: 83, 215, 225, 235, 280, 290, 923, 992

Fares and ticketing

The cost of Coaster tickets is based upon the number of zones traveled (see map). Fare collection is based on a proof-of-payment system: tickets must be purchased before boarding and are checked by roving fare inspectors. Monthly passes are available. All tickets and passes include transfer agreements with NCTD BREEZE buses and monthly passes include transfer with the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) buses and Trolleys. On January 20, 2011, the NCTD implemented a fare reduction, which to increased ridership on the Coaster and so was made permanent in September 2011. As of September 2019, regular one-way fares are as follows:[21]

  • Within one zone: $5
  • Within two zones: $5.75
  • Within three zones: $6.50

With proof of eligibility, senior citizens (ages 60 and over), people with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders receive a 50% discount on the above fares.

Riding the Coaster without a valid ticket may result in a penalty fare of up to $250. Riders cannot purchase tickets on board the train.

Pronto Fare System / Former Compass System
Main article: Pronto Card

The Coaster, along with all other NCTD and MTS services, utilizes the new Pronto contactless fare system introduced in September 2021 by INIT Systems and SANDAG; the Pronto system succeeded the first-generation Compass Card system."[22] As a replacement for the original "Compass Card," the Pronto fare system allows for a tap-on, tap-off approach, so riders on the Coaster can tap-on when entering the station platform (using one of the station's validators), and tap-off when arriving at the destination stop, in order to deduct the correct fare.[23] However, unlike other NCTD and MTS services, Pronto users for Coaster are required to purchase Day or Monthly Passes prior to riding due to different electronic ticket requirements.[24] These passes along with general Pronto cards can be physically purchased at Pronto ticket vending machines at NCTD facilities, or in customer service centers; electronic versions can be purchased through the website or through the mobile applications.[25]

Main article: Compass Card

The Coaster previously utilized the aforementioned contactless "Compass Card", made possible by Cubic Transportation Systems, Inc. The "Compass Card" allowed passengers from MTS and NCTD to store regional transit passes and cash value on a rewritable RFID card. Customers would have purchased passes and added cash value on the Internet or at any ticket vending machine. Prior to boarding a train, customers tapped their Compass Cards on the ticket validator located on the train platform. The LED display on the validator would then light up with lights resembling that of a stoplight, and the LCD display showed text regarding the passenger's fare account.[26] The new Pronto system now used expanded upon many of the design concepts previously employed with the Compass Card system.[27]

Ridership

The Coaster carried about 514,450 passengers during its first year of operation,[28] and ridership rose steadily in the years that followed. In 2019, Coaster ridership was approximately 1.4 million people, with an average number of 4,200 weekday boardings.[29]

Approximately 40% of weekday commuters detrain at Sorrento Valley.

Rolling stock
Builder Type Purchased Quantity Numbers Notes Image
Locomotives
EMD F40PHM-2C 1994 5 2101–2105
F59PHI 2001 2 3001–3002
  • Both locomotives were placed into storage on February 8, 2021.
  • They re-entered service with the increased schedule starting October 25, 2021.
  • Set to be retired in 2023.
Siemens SC-44 Charger 2018–2020 9 5001–5009
  • 5001–5005 entered service on February 8, 2021, replacing the F40PHM-2C.
  • 5006 and 5007 entered service in 2023, replacing the F59PHI locomotives.
  • 5008 and 5009 to be sold off.
Passenger Cars
Bombardier BiLevel coach 1994 8 2201–2208
1997 6 2401–2406 All cars have been overhauled.
2003 4 2501–2504 Undergoing overhaul.
2020 8 2505-2512 Expected to be delivered in 2023.
BiLevel cab car 1994 8 2301–2308 To be overhauled by 2026.
2003 2 2309–2310 Both cars have been overhauled.
2020 3 2311-2313 Expected to be delivered in 2023.
Coaster 2101, an F40PHM-2C, at Sorrento Valley Station shortly before it was retired.
The top deck of an original Coaster Bombardier Bi-Level coach. The seat materials will be refurbished, with electrical outlets also to be added.

In June 2018, the North County Transit District (NCTD) Board approved the purchase of five Siemens SC-44 Charger locomotives to replace their existing five F40PHM-2C locomotives that were remanufactured by Morrison-Knudsen, with $10.5 million of the estimated $53.9 million cost earmarked from statewide gas tax and vehicle registration fees.[32] In June 2019, the NCTD Board approved the purchase of two additional SC-44 locomotives to replace two EMD F59PHI locomotives; they are due for delivery in late 2022.[33] In September 2020, the NCTD Board approved the purchase of two more SC-44 Chargers, for a total of nine; planned for delivery in April 2023, they will be used to expand service.[34][35] Deliveries of the first five Siemens SC-44 Charger locomotives took place from August–October 2020; they began revenue service on February 8, 2021,[36][37] the same day Coaster retired their five F40PHM-2C locomotives. Two locomotives were donated; 2103 to the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, and 2105 to the Southern California Railway Museum.[30]

In January 2020, Bombardier began to overhaul the legacy BiLevel equipment at a minimum rate of four cars per year; all 28 cars are planned to be overhauled and repainted into the new COASTER livery by 2026.[38] The coach overhaul improvements include upgraded door systems, installation of LED light fixtures, seat cushion replacements, installation of electrical charging outlets, and suspension maintenance improvements.[39]

In July 2020, the NCTD Board approved the purchase of eleven new Bombardier BiLevel passenger cars (consisting of eight coaches and three crash-energy management cab-cars) that will be used to add two trainsets to regular service and support SANDAG expansion upon delivery in late 2022.[40] The base order also includes options for 27 additional cars, but such options have not currently been exercised.[41][42]

In August 2018, NCTD announced that they were seeking public opinions and input on a re-brand of the agency, and ran online polls for the public to vote on a new livery for Coaster equipment. The new livery, chosen by Siemens in late 2019, is being applied to the overhauled coaches and to new equipment.[41][43]

In June 2023, the NCTD board voted to sell five older bilevel cars to the Utah Transit Authority, and to sell two Charger locomotives (possibly to Caltrans or Metrolink). The funds will be used for operations or capital projects, including planned conversion to zero-emissions equipment.[44]

Yards

NCTD maintains and utilizes two rail yards for the Coaster. The main maintenance and storage yard, located at Stuart Mesa on Camp Pendleton, just north of the Oceanside Transit Center. This is where trains are serviced, maintained and stored for the night. NCTD also utilizes Tracks 25, 26 and 27 of a yard shared by the San Diego Trolley and the San Diego and Imperial Valley Railroad at 12th and Imperial in Downtown San Diego to store trains during midday hours.

See also

References
  1. "Transit Ridership Report Second Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  2. "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2022" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
  3. "Coaster Schedule" (PDF). North County Transit District. May 29, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  4. "COASTER Fact Sheet" (PDF). North County Transit District (Press release). March 22, 2021.
  5. "Rail Safety Tips". North County Transit District. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved May 4, 2015.
  6. "Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program Sixth Round Selected Projects – Project Detail Summary" (PDF). California State Transportation Agency. April 24, 2023. p. 11. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  7. Diehl, Phil (June 27, 2021). "Transit district to increase Coaster commuter train service this fall". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  8. "NCTD: Past, Present and Future" (PDF). North County Transit District. January 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 25, 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  9. Bradley, Tom Jr. (July 5, 1994). "Study: Rail susceptible to temblors". North County Times. Oceanside, CA – via Newspapers.com. open access
  10. "Coaster". Trains Magazine. June 30, 2006. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
  11. "Company picked to operate COASTER". San Diego Union-Tribune. December 2, 2005. Archived from the original on February 24, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
  12. "Coaster to tackle service delays, interruptions". San Diego Union-Tribune. May 26, 2017. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
  13. "PTC Fact Sheet" (PDF). NCTD. July 2, 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 2, 2020.
  14. Prey, Bill; Rekola, Brett (June 2011). Capacity Expansions of LOSSAN Corridor in San Diego (PDF). APTA Rail Conference. San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) & North County Transit District. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 9, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
  15. "California launches $US 6bn North Coast Corridor project". International railway Journal. December 1, 2016. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  16. Diehl, Phil (June 27, 2021). "Transit district to increase Coaster commuter train service this fall". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
  17. Hawkins, Robert J. (November 11, 2011). "Marines, NCTD eye Camp Pendleton Coaster stop". San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  18. "COASTER – NCTD". North County Transit District. 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  19. "COASTER Schedule Effective April 1 – October 7, 2013" (PDF). North County Transit District. 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 1, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  20. "COASTER Stations". North County Transit District. 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  21. "Coaster Fares and Passes". North County Transit District. 2019. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  22. "Public Meeting For Proposed Fare Changes" (PDF). San Diego Metropolitan Transit System Information. San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  23. "Goodbye Compass – Hello PRONTO!". San Diego Metropolitan Transit System Information. San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. March 3, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  24. "PRONTO Fares". North County Transit District – NCTD. North County Transit District. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  25. "Frequently Asked Questions – PRONTO". Ride PRONTO. PRONTO. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  26. "Introducing Compass Cash via YouTube". San Diego Metropolitan Transit system. June 27, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  27. "Frequently Asked Questions". Ride PRONTO. PRONTO. Retrieved September 5, 2021.
  28. "Coaster 15th Anniversary Quick Facts" (PDF). North County Transit District. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 13, 2013. Retrieved December 7, 2013.
  29. Dickens, Matthew (February 27, 2020). "Public Transportation Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2019" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association.
  30. "Coaster F40 Bound for Southern California Railway Museum". July 20, 2022.
  31. "Board of Trustees on 2022-10-26 9:00 AM". rideuta.granicus.com. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
  32. "State Gas Tax Increase Gives $10.5 Million For New COASTER Trains". KPBS. January 30, 2018. Retrieved February 24, 2018.
  33. "NCTD COASTER Improvements Fact Sheet" (PDF). North County Transit District Document Access Center. North County Transit District. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  34. "NCTD Board Agenda Packet 9/17/2020" (PDF). North County Transit District. September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  35. "North County Transportation District buys more Chargers, helping Siemens reach milestone". Trains Magazine. October 26, 2020. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  36. "NCTD Board Agenda Packet 11/19/2020" (PDF). North County Transit District. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  37. "NCTD Celebrates Service Roll Out for New COASTER Locomotive and Overhauled Passenger Cars" (Press release). North County Transit District. February 8, 2021.
  38. "NCTD Key Priority Projects" (PDF). GONCTD. North County Transit District. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  39. "NCTD COASTER Improvements Fact Sheet" (PDF). North County Transit District Document Access Center. North County Transit District. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  40. Sklar, Debbie (July 16, 2020). "Bombardier Signs Contract with NCTD for the Supply of BiLevel Commuter Rail Cars". Times of San Diego. Times of San Diego LLC. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  41. "NCTD to replace aging Coaster train fleet". San Diego Union-Tribune. July 22, 2020. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  42. Diehl, Phil (June 18, 2023). "Coaster train fleet downsizing after transportation funding fizzles". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  43. "NCTD Board Agenda Packet 04/16/2020" (PDF). North County Transit District Document Access Center. North County Transit District. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  44. Luczak, Marybeth (June 26, 2023). "NCTD Cutting Back Coaster Fleet". Railway Age. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
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