OCEANSIDE—Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, Coaster, Metrolink, and freight rail providers will experience major service interruptions during three weekends in October due to several coordinated major construction and maintenance projects.
Track closures are scheduled for October 8-9, 15-16, and 22-23 to allow construction crews to perform work on multiple projects that will improve rail travel along the corridor. This includes the City of LA’s demolition of the historic 6th Street Bridge, as well as various maintenance projects being performed by Metrolink, and North County Transit District.
The closures will affect rail travel between Los Angeles and San Diego, including Metrolink’s Orange County, Inland Empire-Orange County and 91/Perris Valley lines; Coaster commuter rail service; and Pacific Surfliner service between Los Angeles and San Diego. Metrolink’s Antelope Valley and San Bernardino lines, as well as Pacific Surfliner service north of Los Angeles, will not be impacted.
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
There will be no Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train service between Los Angeles and San Diego; however, train service north of Los Angeles will operate on a regular schedule. Fullerton-Palm Springs-Indio Amtrak Thruway bus service is also cancelled. Travelers who want to travel between Los Angeles and San Diego during the closures may want to consider making arrangements with Greyhound or other carriers.
COASTER
There will be no Coaster service between Oceanside and San Diego on these weekends. This includes no Amtrak Pacific Surfliner Rail-2-Rail trains. Alternatives for passengers who normally use the Coaster include Breeze bus route 101 or MTS connections.
Metrolink
Metrolink will supplement its very limited train service with buses to provide lifeline transportation alternatives for its passengers. However, those who take advantage of this service should expect and plan for delays.
On the Orange County Line, Metrolink will operate two round-trips. Trains 660, 661, 666, and 667 will operate between Norwalk and Irvine with buses providing service to stations between Norwalk and Los Angeles as well as Irvine to Oceanside. Northbound service departing from stations south of Irvine will be provided by buses only.
There will be no train service on the Inland Empire-Orange County Line. However, Metrolink has arranged for buses to provide one round-trip to cover service for trains 857 and 860. These buses will depart from San Bernardino and Oceanside, respectively, at their published departure times. This service will not have connecting service for passengers planning to go to Los Angeles. Riders choosing to take this service should plan for an extended trip time and severe delays.
On the 91/Perris Valley Line, trains 751, 752, 753, and 754 will operate between Norwalk and Riverside, with bus service between Los Angeles and Norwalk. Delays can be expected.
