LOS ANGELES – As the weather heats up and the busy summer travel season begins, it is more important than ever to remember to be safe around railroad tracks, including those used by the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner. The Pacific Surfliner travels along a 351-mile route between San Diego and San Luis Obispo, passing through small towns and big cities, with portions of the route hugging the Southern California coastline.
According to California Operation Lifesaver, every three hours, a person or vehicle is struck by a train in the United States. California ranks No. 1 in the nation in incidents involving trespassers on the railroad tracks, with 191 incidents in 2016, a 38.4 percent increase from the prior year, according to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). California ranks No. 2 in incidents at highway-rail grade crossings, with 167 incidents in 2016, an 11.3 percent increase from the prior year, according to FRA. These types of incidents are easily preventable by following a few simple safety rules.
Rail Safety Tips (Operation Lifesaver)
- Never walk on or along train tracks; it's illegal trespassing and highly dangerous.
- It takes the average freight train traveling at 55 mph more than a mile—the length of 18 football fields—to stop.
- Trains can move in either direction at any time, and there may be multiple train tracks.
- Remember to cross train tracks only at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings, and obey all warning signs and signals posted there.
- Stay alert around railroad tracks. No texting, headphones or other distractions that would prevent you from hearing an approaching train; never mix rails and recreation.
- When boarding the Pacific Surfliner, remember to stay behind the marked safety line on the station platform and use handholds as you board.
- Report suspicious items, persons, or activity immediately to the Amtrak Police Department by approaching a uniformed officer, calling (800) 331-0008, sending a text to APD11 (27311), or by calling 911. Enter these numbers in your cellphone.
The Pacific Surfliner is funded by the state of California through the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and is operated by Amtrak under a contract with the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency.
All Pacific Surfliner trains feature comfortable, reclining seats with power outlets, Wi-Fi, bike and luggage racks, and access to a Café car featuring fresh food, snacks and beverages, including wine, cocktails and local craft beer. Passengers can also choose to upgrade to Business Class for an additional fee to receive a guaranteed seat, additional legroom, complimentary snacks and beverages, and other perks.
For additional safety tips, please visit California Operation Lifesaver at www.caol.us.
About the Pacific Surfliner
The Pacific Surfliner travels along 351-mile coastal rail route through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, serving 31 stations. It is the second busiest intercity passenger rail corridor in the United States with 24 daily trains and annual ridership of more than 2.9 million. To learn more and plan a trip, visit PacificSurfliner.com, like Pacific Surfliner on Facebook, or @pacsurfliners on Twitter.
About the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency
The Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency is a joint powers authority composed of rail owners, operators and planning agencies along the entire LOSSAN rail corridor. In addition to working to improve passenger rail ridership, revenue, on-time performance, operational flexibility, and safety, the LOSSAN Agency assumed management responsibility for the Pacific Surfliner service in July 2015, following the execution of an interagency transfer agreement with the state of California. For more information, visit lossan.org.
About Amtrak®
Amtrak – America’s Railroad® – is dedicated to safe and reliable mobility as the nation’s intercity passenger rail service provider and its high-speed rail operator. With our state and commuter partners, we move people, the economy and the nation forward, carrying more than 30 million Amtrak passengers for each of the past five years. Formally known as the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Amtrak is governed by a 10 member board of directors, nine of whom are appointed by the President of the United States plus the Amtrak CEO. Anthony R. Coscia is board chairman and Jeffrey R. Moreland is vice chairman. Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily – at speeds up to 150 mph (241 kph) – connecting more than 500 destinations in 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces. Learn more at Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and other information. Check us out at blog.Amtrak.com, Like us on Facebook.com and Follow us on Twitter @Amtrak.
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