Passengers on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service in Southern California can now make free transfers to 12 connecting public transit providers thanks to a new program introduced by the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency.

The Pacific Surfliner transit transfer program provides free connections between 23 daily Pacific Surfliner trains and 12 local transit providers along a 351-mile route in the counties of San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.

The program is being launched as a one-year pilot project and is funded by a $1.7 million cap and trade grant received from the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) through the state’s Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program.

“The cost and inconvenience of having to purchase a separate fare to use connecting bus services are deterrents to choosing public transit,” said CalSTA Secretary Brian Kelly. “People want more convenient travel options. This program makes using transit an easier alternative, resulting in fewer cars on the road and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.”

In addition, beginning June 22, Pacific Surfliner passengers can purchase discounted one-day transit passes for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, which will be sold onboard the train in the café car.

The Pacific Surfliner is the second busiest Amtrak corridor in the nation, serving 2.8 million annual passengers. The LOSSAN Agency is a joint powers authority composed of rail owners, operators and planning agencies along the entire LOSSAN rail corridor. The LOSSAN Agency assumed management responsibility for the Pacific Surfliner service in July 2015, following the execution of an interagency transfer agreement with the state of California.