Yes, the corridor has 20 million residents that could use a train from L.A. to San Diego. That does not mean even a small fraction will use this transportation. In the L.A area, from Santa Clarita, to Long Beach, to Diamond Bar, folks would have to drive at least 1.5 hours to get to Union Station. Then wait another hour or so to catch the train. Then with the many stops along the way, the train trip will take at least three hours from L.A. to San Diego. Then you will need to take an Uber or rent a car to get to your destination.
This is at least a five hour effort. In my car, a hybrid, I can drive from Ventura County to San Diego city hall in less than 4.5 hours. The cost for gas is under $15 one way—and I can have a passenger for no extra cost, no worry of my car at L.A. Union Station will be robbed. But note that no where in the article does it mention the cost of a one way ticket. Be clear, it will be expensive, add to that the people of Bangor, Maine and Macon, Georgia will be paying bundles to subsidize the rich using this extraordinary wasteful choo choo train, and take longer to get to the destination than by driving your own car. Hope Musk and Vivek stop this burning of money for the elitist rich.
Amtrak to Add Roundtrips from San Diego to LA Thanks to $27M Federal Grant
by City News Service, 1/10/25 https://timesofsandiego.com/life/2025/01/10/amtrak-to-add-roundtrips-from-san-diego-to-l-a-thanks-to-27m-federal-grant/
A $27 million federal grant will pay for three additional daily roundtrips between San Diego and Los Angeles, it was announced Friday.
This grant will bring Amtrak service on the LOSSAN corridor up to pre-COVID levels, with the intention of easing crowding on trains between the cities.
“Having more frequent options to go between San Diego and Los Angeles by train … is a major improvement for residents’ quality of life throughout Southern California,” said State Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas.
Support timely, comprehensive news.
Times of San Diego is devoted to producing timely, comprehensive news about San Diego County. Your donation helps keep our work free-to-read, funds reporters who cover local issues and allows us to write stories that hold public officials accountable. Join the growing list of donors investing in our community’s long-term future.
She added that the grant will help the LOSSAN Rail Corridor to improve service and build ridership.
The LOSSAN corridor is one of six rail corridors nationally awarded funds through the Federal Rail Administration’s Restoration and Enhancement Grants Program. According to Blakespear, the state is providing matching funds.
The corridor is the country’s second-busiest passenger rail line and serves six counties with nearly 20 million residents.
