TAMC outlines plan to extend passenger rail to Salinas; officials point to $86 million budget and 2027–2028 service targets

The Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) presented an update to the Salinas City Council on Oct. 28 laying out a multi-stage plan to bring passenger rail service to Salinas and close a long-standing Central Coast gap in service.

Todd Mook, TAMC executive director, said the agency is coordinating with Caltrain, the Capital Corridor, Caltrans and Union Pacific and that the effort has been ongoing for more than two decades. Christina Watson, TAMC director of planning, said the plan would extend existing passenger service down Union Pacific-owned tracks for an approximately 38-mile connection and initially operate two weekday round trips on Caltrain equipment, with the longer-term goal of additional Capital Corridor and Coast Starlight service.

Watson said the total…