Amtrak restarted Pacific Surfliner service north of Goleta on Tuesday after closures for storm-damaged train tracks along the Gaviota Coast. 

Heavy rain on Jan. 3 flooded Highway 101 and damaged the Union Pacific Railroad tracks that run along the coast, used for freight and passenger train traffic. 

A heavy equipment operator clearing debris was injured Jan. 6 when the ground collapsed and the excavator overturned.

Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner train suspended service north of the Goleta Station until Tuesday. 

Passengers can now buy tickets and ride to and from the San Luis Obispo station, officials said. 

Expanding Commuter Rail 

In other train travel news, Santa Barbara County officials are still working to expand commuter rail options. 

The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG) is working on an agreement to have Pacific Surfliner trains add another daily route between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo, with stops including Ventura, Santa Barbara and Goleta.

There would be a northbound morning route and southbound afternoon route. 

SBCAG previously worked to expand service by working with Metrolink, but is now pursuing an agreement with LOSSAN to use the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner for that expanded service. 

The Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency (LOSSAN) currently operates five daily roundtrips between LA and Goleta, and two daily roundtrips between LA and San Luis Obispo. 

The SBCAG board of directors will discuss the issue at Thursday’s meeting, which starts at 10 a.m. in the Board of Supervisors Hearing Room on the fourth floor of the County Administration Building, 105 E. Anapamu St. in Santa Barbara.