South Coast commuters will have more options starting in May as passenger train service expands through Santa Barbara County.
A new daily, round-trip Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train will start service on May 4. It will run between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo counties.
The train is part of a 12-month pilot program that — unlike traditional weekday commuter trains — will run 365 days a year without taking weekends or holidays off.
Santa Barbara County Association of Governments spokeswoman Lauren Bianchi Klemann said the additional train will depart Los Angeles early. In Santa Barbara County, it will stop in Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, Goleta, Lompoc and Guadalupe before arriving in San Luis Obispo by 10:53 a.m.
She said the train will then turn around. It will depart from San Luis Obispo at 12:12 p.m. and head southbound before arriving back in Los Angeles by 5:50 p.m.
The new train will bring Pacific Surfliner service up to six daily trips to Goleta and three daily trips to San Luis Obispo. The Pacific Surfliner trains operate along the 351-mile stretch of coast between San Diego and San Luis Obispo counties.
The expansion comes courtesy of SBCAG, the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor Agency and the Ventura County Transportation Commission.
In February, the agencies agreed to jointly fund expanded train service.
In a joint press release, the three agencies said on Monday the new daily trips will improve availability during peak weekday rush-hour periods.
SBCAG Executive Director Marjie KIRN said additional trains offer “more flexibility for how people move through our region.”
To encourage new ridership, Bianchi Klemann said riders traveling between stations in Ventura County and Santa Barbara or Goleta can get subsidized fares at $50 for 10 rides and $150 for a monthly pass.
SBCAG and the Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce will host a Train to Work Employer Forum at 10 a.m. April 22 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 6878 Hollister Ave. in Goleta.
Organizers said the event will highlight the expanded Pacific Surfliner service and explain commuter resources, including guaranteed ride home programs.
Attendees will also receive complimentary 10-ride passes. Space is limited, and advanced registration is required.
For the record: This article was changed to correct information about rider subsidies.
