State funding will help identify opportunities to improve passenger rail reliability, coordinate services and to plan for future transportation needs.

ORANGE, Calif., Nov. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, which oversees the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service, has been awarded $1 million in state funding to update a Corridor Optimization Study. This aims to improve rail service coordination, operational efficiency and long-term infrastructure planning along one of Southern California's key passenger rail corridors.

The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) announced the award on November 5, 2026, through its Flexible State Rail Assistance (SRA) Program. The funding will support an update to the 2022 LOSSAN Corridor Optimization Study, reflecting changes in passenger and freight rail operations, service levels and infrastructure needs since the original study was completed.

"This investment is an important step toward strengthening coordination and improving the reliability of passenger rail service along the LOSSAN corridor," said Jason Jewell, Managing Director of the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency. "By working closely with rail corridor stakeholders on this effort, we will be able to identify opportunities to optimize services, improve reliability, recognize infrastructure needs and plan for future sustainable rail transportation services."

The study update directly supports a recommendation from a state-led working group established under Senate Bill 1098 (SB 1098), which examined opportunities to improve coordination, performance and reliability of passenger rail service along the LOSSAN corridor. The working group recommended regularly updating the study to account for changing operations and service needs.

The effort also advances objectives outlined in the 2024 California State Rail Plan by supporting coordination among rail infrastructure owners, passenger and freight operators, and regional transportation agencies.

Among several areas, the study will evaluate train service schedules, connectivity, operating efficiency, and infrastructure investment alignments to service benefits, with a focus on identifying practical opportunities to improve corridor operations.

Key areas of focus will include:

• Evaluating opportunities to better align passenger and freight train schedules across the corridor.
• Exploring a process for regularly reviewing and updating train timetables based on operational performance, maintenance needs and changing service conditions.
• Identifying constraints and evaluating potential capital improvements that could support reliability and future passenger rail service needs.
• Considering potential operational impacts and service needs associated with major events, such as the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The study's findings are expected to inform future planning and investment decisions. Specific service improvements and infrastructure projects would require additional evaluation, coordination and, where applicable, funding.

Because passenger and freight rail services share portions of the LOSSAN corridor, input among infrastructure owners, operators and transportation agencies will be essential to the study.

As a next step, LOSSAN staff anticipate bringing an item to the Board of Directors to initiate the study. Staff will also work with CalSTA and partner agencies to further define the study scope, establish a schedule and develop a stakeholder coordination process.

For more information about the Pacific Surfliner, visit pacificsurfliner.com.

About the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency

The Los Angeles - San Diego - San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency is a joint powers authority overseeing management of the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service. Comprised of rail owners, operators and planning agencies along the 351-mile LOSSAN rail corridor, the agency works to improve passenger rail ridership, revenue, on-time performance, operational flexibility and safety throughout its service area. The Orange County Transportation Authority provides administrative support to the LOSSAN Agency and its board. For more information, visit LOSSAN.org.

About the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

The Pacific Surfliner travels along a 351-mile coastal rail route through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, serving 29 stations. It is the busiest state-supported intercity passenger rail route in the United States. To learn more and plan a trip, visit PacificSurfliner.com.

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SOURCE Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner