COASTER LINK TO CONVENTION CENTER EYED

NCTD plan extends route, improves freight service

A study released by the North County Transit District outlines plans to extend Coaster commuter rail service to the San Diego Convention Center within five years, along with other improvements for passenger and freight trains south of the Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego.

Transit officials have long discussed extending rail service to the Convention Center, which would have a number of benefits for riders, the environment and the economy.

“It will take people farther into the heart of San Diego,” said NCTD Executive Director Matt Tucker on Thursday. “It would really improve commutes and provide easier access to entertainment, the Gaslamp District and Petco Park.”

The Santa Fe Depot is the last stop for the Coaster, which NCTD started in 1995 between Oceanside and San Diego. Today, the train has eight stations along its 41mile route. Ridership was 1.5 million in fiscal 2018.

The Convention Center is only eight-tenths of a mile away from the Santa Fe Depot. However, the railroad tracks from downtown San Diego south to National City are only capable of handling freight trains and the maximum speed allowed is 10 mph. The tracks need improved street crossings, better signals and other infrastructure to accommodate passenger trains. Also, the new station will get a “pocket track” for the Coaster trains to pull off the main line so other trains can pass.

South of the Convention Center, about three freight trains daily serve the U.S. Navy and nearly 800 businesses at the Port of San Diego. Long-term plans call for as many as eight freight trains daily. The freight trains, each of which pulls as many as 80 cars, typically