Photo courtesy of the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency
Extra railcars will
be added to increase capacity on Pacific Surfliner trains traveling between San
Diego and San Luis Obispo
ORANGE,
Calif. – Oct. 23, 2019 – In anticipation of the busiest travel week of the
year, Amtrak is prepared to accommodate the surge of holiday travelers with
extra equipment and additional capacity on the Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner® route,
which travels between San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa
Barbara, and San Luis Obispo. Tickets sell out quickly, so customers are
encouraged to plan ahead and book early.
As
space is limited on Pacific Surfliner trains during the holidays, a
reservation will be required to travel between Wednesday, Nov. 27 and Monday,
Dec. 2, 2019. Additionally, the Rail 2 Rail program will be suspended between
Wednesday, Nov. 27 and Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, and Metrolink and COASTER passes
will not be accepted onboard Pacific Surfliner trains on these dates.
Amtrak monthly and 10-ride passes may still be used.
This announcement follows a schedule change,
which featured the addition of a 13th Pacific Surfliner round trip
between Los Angeles and San Diego, giving customers expanded options for travel
along the southern California coast. The Pacific Surfliner now offers a total
of 26 trains a day between Los Angeles and San Diego.
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner carried almost 3 million riders in 2018 and carried nearly 73,000 passengers to destinations between San Diego and San Luis Obispo during the Thanksgiving travel period. Last year, Pacific Surfliner ridership saw a 77% increase the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and a 68% increase the Sunday following Thanksgiving. Similar passenger counts are anticipated this year.
The Pacific Surfliner travels along a 351-mile route with
portions of the route hugging the Southern California coastline. All Pacific
Surfliner trains feature comfortable,
reclining seats with power outlets, Wi-Fi, bike and luggage racks, a
free and generous baggage policy, and an onboard Market Café that offers fresh
food, snacks and beverages, including California wines, cocktails and local
craft beer.
Ticketing and reservations are available on PacificSurfliner.com, Amtrak.com, Amtrak mobile apps, or by calling 800-USA-RAIL. Boarding documents can be self-printed, or customers using a smartphone or mobile device can present the eTicket to the conductor by opening a document in their email.
Tips to ensure a smooth
trip:
- Plan Ahead and Book Early: Visit pacificsurfliner.com/holiday to check availability, book
tickets, and learn about California Everyday Discounts (blackouts apply).
Tickets can also be purchased at Amtrak.com, from Quik-TrakSM ticket kiosks,
from ticket windows at staffed Amtrak stations, on the Amtrak app, or by calling 800-USA-RAIL. - Avoid the Rush, Arrive Early: The busiest travel days are the
Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday of Thanksgiving week. Morning trains typically
have more availability. Stations will be busier than usual and customers are
encouraged to arrive 45 minutes before departure if picking up tickets or
checking baggage. - Enhanced Experience: All Pacific Surfliner trains
feature power outlets, large picture windows, an onboard Café car, spacious
seats, ample leg room and no middle seat. Upgrade to Business Class for a
guaranteed seat, complimentary snacks, drinks and other perks. - Baggage Policy: Customers can bring two bags (measuring
up to 28″ x 22″ x 11″ and weighing 50 pounds or less each) and two personal
items (measuring up to 14″ x 11″ x 7″ and weighing 25 pounds or less each) for
free. Checked baggage service is also available at a number of stations. - Check Train Schedules: Check holiday schedules and train
status before arriving at the station on Amtrak.com, the Track A Train Map (on
Amtrak.com), Amtrak app or @PacSurfliners
on Twitter. - Carry Photo ID: Passengers are required to show valid
photo identification when purchasing tickets and carry valid photo ID at all
times aboard trains. - Safety First: If you see something, say
something. Report any suspicious activity or unattended items to an
Amtrak employee or member of the Amtrak Police Department at (800) 331-0008, by
calling 911, or by sending a text to APD11 from a smartphone, or to 27311 from
a standard cell phone.