New Daily Pacific Surfliner Train Enhances Travel Between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo

New Daily Pacific Surfliner Train Enhances Connectivity

On May 4, 2026, a new daily round-trip route will launch on the Pacific Surfliner, connecting Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo. This initiative, spearheaded by the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency in partnership with the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) and the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), aims to improve regional mobility and offer more travel options along California's central coast.

The forthcoming addition of the daily service will increase the Pacific Surfliner's offerings to six daily trips to Goleta and three daily trips to San Luis Obispo. As a result, commuters and leisure travelers will benefit from enhanced flexibility throughout the week and a better connection between key locations in Los Angeles, Ventura County, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo.

The new trip aims to provide better scheduling options for riders, especially during peak weekday hours, positioning it as a convenient alternative to driving. “The expansion of the Pacific Surfliner helps strengthen regional mobility and offers travelers more convenient choices along the central coast,” stated Jason Jewell, Executive Director of the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency. “This new round trip enhances connectivity throughout the corridor and offers passengers a comfortable alternative to driving.”

For residents and visitors in Ventura County, this expanded service will mean additional travel flexibility between Ventura County and other destinations along the corridor. “This new round trip strengthens Ventura County's connection to the broader rail network in Southern California,” said Martin Erickson, Executive Director of VCTC. “By providing more travel options during peak times, we’re making it easier for residents and workers to travel throughout the region.”

Leaders from Santa Barbara County also noted how this expanded service reflects investment in regional transportation and aligns with the voter-approved Measure A, a half-cent sales tax that funds transportation in the county. “More rail service means more flexibility in how people get around our region,” said Marjie Kirn, Executive Director of SBCAG. “With the support of Measure A, we are fulfilling what voters asked for: more options for commuting, going to school, and traveling daily.”

To promote this new travel option, SBCAG will host an employer forum on April 22, 2026, at Hilton Garden Inn in Goleta, aimed at informing local employers on promoting job opportunities and travel options in the area.

The Pacific Surfliner operates along a scenic, 351-mile coastal corridor that links San Diego County, Orange County, Los Angeles, Ventura County, Santa Barbara County, and San Luis Obispo County. Passengers can enjoy modern amenities such as comfortable seating, power outlets, and stunning coastal views during their journey. Perhaps most notably, the onboard free Wi-Fi offers passengers the chance to work or study while traveling, maximizing their commute time.

With the introduction of this new round trip, travelers can look forward to extended schedule options for various journeys, including weekday commuting, business travel, university trips, and leisure visits along the California coast.

For updated schedules and to plan their trips, users are encouraged to visit pacificsurfliner.com/goSLO.

About Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

The Pacific Surfliner operates along a 351-mile coastal route through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, serving 29 stations along the way. It is the second-busiest state-funded intercity passenger rail service in the United States. More information and trip planning can be found at pacificsurfliner.com.

About LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency

The LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency is a joint powers authority overseeing the management of the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service. The agency is composed of rail owners, operators, and planning agencies in the 351-mile LOSSAN rail corridor, striving to enhance ridership, revenue, on-time performance, operational flexibility, and safety across the area it covers. The Orange County Transportation Authority provides all necessary administrative support for the LOSSAN Agency and its Board of Directors. More information is available on the LOSSAN website.

About SBCAG

The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) acts as the regional transportation planning agency for Santa Barbara County, coordinating transportation planning, funding, and programs that support mobility, economic vitality, and environmental sustainability. Visit sbcag.org for more information.

About VCTC

The Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC) is the regional transportation planning agency committed to keeping Ventura County moving. Program information is available on goventura.org.