METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Amtrak adds capacity as freeway closure continues to impact Santa Barbara County

Since train tracks reopened on Jan. 11, the Pacific Surfliner has served as the only viable ground transportation option between Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, as drive time on alternate routes between the two counties can take nearly four hours.

January 17, 2018
Amtrak adds capacity as freeway closure continues to impact Santa Barbara County

Due to the limited transportation options, Pacific Surfliner trains have been extremely busy, with demand exceeding available seating capacity.

Doug Letterman

2 min to read


The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner® added railcars to each of its 10 daily trains serving Santa Barbara County, providing more than 2,000 additional seats to help accommodate increased travel demand due to the continued closure of Highway 101 following landslides near Montecito, Calif.

Since train tracks reopened on Jan. 11, the Pacific Surfliner has served as the only viable ground transportation option between Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, as drive time on alternate routes between the two counties can take nearly four hours. The Pacific Surfliner travels between Ventura and Santa Barbara in approximately 45 minutes.

Ad Loading...

Due to the limited transportation options, Pacific Surfliner trains have been extremely busy, with demand exceeding available seating capacity. Extra railcars that had already been added to select Pacific Surfliner trains for the past two days using available equipment are being supplemented by the arrival of eight additional railcars and three locomotives from northern California, which will add up to 270 extra seats per train.

In response to the large influx of people commuting to Santa Barbara and Goleta by train during the closure of Highway 101, Santa Barbara MTD is providing free last mile service from the Santa Barbara and Goleta Amtrak Stations to area transit connections and employment centers.

The booster service will run Monday through Friday until further notice. All shuttles will run beginning with the first northbound train arrival mid-morning until 7 p.m.

More New Mobility

Officials and community leaders cut a ribbon in front of a Pace On Demand shuttle bus outside Rolling Meadows City Hall to celebrate expanded on-demand transit service in northwest Cook County.
New Mobilityby News/Media ReleaseMarch 9, 2026

Chicago Pace Expand On-Demand Transportation Program

The expanded service builds on Pace’s growing On Demand network and is intended to improve access to destinations such as medical appointments, schools, shopping, employment centers and connections to the regional transit system.

Read More →
A vehicle that will be used for MARTA's Reach mobility program.
New Mobilityby StaffMarch 2, 2026

Atlanta's MARTA Set to Launch New On-Demand Transportation Service

An important part of the authority’s NextGen Bus Network, MARTA Reach will bring transit service directly to the rider’s location and offer a seamless link to the broader rail and bus system.

Read More →
A black and blue HOLON urban autonomous vehicle on a city street.
New Mobilityby Elora HaynesFebruary 26, 2026

CharterUP Moves to Scale Autonomous Shuttle Deployments Through HOLON Partnership

The partnership aims to accelerate the rollout of electric, high-capacity autonomous shuttles for campuses, airports, transit systems, and more.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Portrait of Joshua Schank, Ph.D., alongside the ACES Mobility Coalition logo.
Managementby StaffFebruary 16, 2026

ACES Mobility Coalition Selects Joshua Schank as New Executive Director

Veteran transportation innovator to lead coalition as it pushes nationwide expansion of shared autonomous mobility.

Read More →
David Carol, Baker Alloush, and Jesse Lazarus from METRO's People Movement February 4 edition.
Managementby Staff and News ReportsFebruary 4, 2026

New Rolling Stock Strategy Lead at New York MTA and More in People Movement

In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at HDR, NCTD, STV, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.

Read More →
New Mobilityby StaffJanuary 30, 2026

Chicago's Pace Expands VanGo Mobility Program

The service is a flexible, reservation-based transit service designed to close the first- and last-mile gaps and connect riders to employment for just $5 per day.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SponsoredJanuary 22, 2026

5 Costly Myths About Paratransit Vehicles

What agencies often overlook when selecting vehicles.

Read More →
Busby StaffJanuary 22, 2026

Biz Briefs: BART, Uber Launch Partnership and More

Stay informed with these quick takes on the projects and companies driving progress across the transportation landscape.

Read More →
SponsoredJanuary 19, 2026

Fleet Software ROI: Boost Uptime & Safety

Transit agencies depend on safe, reliable vehicles to deliver consistent service. This eBook examines how next-generation fleet software helps agencies move from reactive processes to proactive operations through automated maintenance, real-time safety insights, and integrated data. Learn how fleets are improving uptime, safety outcomes, and operational efficiency.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Transit signal priority and public transit agencies.
New Mobilityby Alex RomanJanuary 16, 2026

How AI is Redefining Transit Operations and Signal Priority

In a recent episode of METROspectives, LYT CEO Timothy Menard discusses how artificial intelligence, cloud connectivity, and real-time data are transforming traffic management, boosting bus reliability, and enabling system-wide transit optimization across cities.

Read More →