The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) recently announced $66.5 million in flexible State Rail Assistance (SRA) funding was awarded to eight projects that will sustain and strengthen commuter and intercity rail service across California. The largest award, $20 million, will help Metrolink avoid proposed cuts to nearly a third of its service and keep trains running for the Southern California riders who depend on them. The remaining awards support safety, reliability and service improvements from the Capitol Corridor to the Central Coast and San Diego County.
Due to funding challenges, Metrolink has proposed reducing service by 29% on weekdays and 40% on weekends compared with its 2025 schedule, with cuts that could begin as early as this fall. CalSTA’s $20 million commitment will help avert those reductions and additional cuts planned for fiscal year 2027-28.
The commitment protects service as Southern California prepares to host the LA28 Olympic Games (July 14-30, 2028) and Paralympic Games (August 15-27, 2028).
“Metrolink connects millions of Southern Californians to jobs, school and other daily needs,” said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. “This state investment keeps Metrolink trains running for the workers, students and families who rely on them, and it comes with a clear expectation that Metrolink and its member agencies will work with the state on lasting solutions.”
“We are grateful to Governor Newsom, Secretary Omishakin and the State of California for recognizing the essential role Metrolink plays in connecting Southern California’s communities,” said Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle. “This critical investment helps us maintain the service our riders depend on to get to work. It also provides much-needed stability as we work with the state and our member agencies to build a more sustainable future for regional rail. Reliable, accessible transportation is vital to our region’s economic health and quality of life, and this funding helps ensure we can continue delivering on that commitment.”
Other projects receiving funds included: $10 million to Caltrain, including $6 million for signal, track and safety work and $4 million to support Caltrain’s battery-electric train pilot between San Jose and Gilroy, which builds on an $80 million state investment through the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program; and $7 million to the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority for two projects. The first replaces railroad crossovers and aging signals near Davis Station, allowing faster speeds and reducing the risk of major service disruptions. The second builds the Agnew Siding in Santa Clara, which will reduce delays for Capitol Corridor, Altamont Corridor Express (ACE), Amtrak Coast Starlight and freight trains and provide space to store trains for events at Levi’s Stadium. This also allows for a future introduction of a fifth ACE daily round trip.
Also authorized: $7.3 million to the North County Transit District (NCTD) to maintain existing COASTER commuter rail service levels in fiscal year 2028; $2 million to Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) for pedestrian safety improvements at the Ward neighborhood at-grade rail crossing; $1 million to the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency for near-term corridor optimization work under SB 1098, including timetable analysis ahead of the Olympic Games.
Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, created the State Rail Assistance program by dedicating a 0.5% sales tax on diesel fuel to California’s commuter and intercity rail systems.
This round draws on SRA revenue available now and revenue expected to accrue through June 2030. Awards will be paid as funds become available.
For more information, visit the CalSTA website.
