OCEANSIDE–In order to facilitate infrastructure improvements along the coastal rail corridor, there will be no Coaster or Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service in San Diego County on the weekends of March 3 to 4 and 10 to 11.
On Sunday, March 11, from approximately 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., North County Transit District and Amtrak will conduct an emergency exercise at the Carlsbad Poinsettia Coaster Station. This exercise and the station will be closed to the public. Those in the area should not be alarmed to see emergency vehicles present.
On the Friday preceding each closure, March 2 and 10, southbound Amtrak Rail 2 Rail trains A792 and A796, which are scheduled to depart Oceanside at 10:05 p.m. and 12:01 a.m., will complete their trips to Santa Fe Depot, but Amtrak train A590 will be cancelled.
During the closure weekends, neither Amtrak or Metrolink will service the Oceanside Transit Center due to project work north of the station. Connecting bus service will require Amtrak reservations.
No replacement bus service connecting Coaster stations will be available. Alternatives for some Coaster passengers may include Breeze Route 101 or MTS connections.
After each closure, coastal rail service will re-open for regularly scheduled service in time for the Monday morning commute. Passengers should note that trains may be delayed up to fifteen minutes on each Monday.
While no passenger rail service will be available during these closures, other vehicles and equipment will operate along the railroad right-of-way and on the rail at non-specified times. Residents along the corridor should remain alert at legal crossings, and not trespass on the railroad right-of-way.
Customers are urged to plan ahead and make alternative travel arrangements. For trip planning assistance, customers can contact NCTD Customer Service at 760-966-6500, or visit GoNCTD.com.
