Santa Cruz County, June 2025 — The long-anticipated Zero Emission Santa Cruz-Pajaro Passenger Rail Project has evolved steadily from early concept to a formalized plan, now on the cusp of environmental review — pending approval from the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) this August.
The concept of passenger rail in the region has been under development for over a year, but recent months have seen the project gain sharper definition and public visibility. What began as a broad exploration of potential rail alignments and station sites has transformed into a detailed draft report, summarized and presented to the public in early June.
From Idea to Action: A Timeline of Key Developments
March 2025: Decision on Intercity Rail
At a pivotal March 20 meeting in Watsonville, the RTC voted 9-1 to pursue an intercity rail service over a light rail option. The intercity approach promises a faster, more efficient trip, and better alignment with California’s state rail plan, making it more likely to attract state and federal funding.
At the same time, concerns emerged over projected infrastructure costs of the Santa Cruz-Pajaro Passenger Rail Project, particularly a staggering $980 million estimate for replacing or upgrading all 33 bridges along the 22-mile corridor. RTC staff had earlier recommended replacing 23 bridges, but commissioners requested a reevaluation to explore less costly alternatives.
April 2025: First Look at Rail Design and Stations
In April, county residents were given a first glimpse of what the system might look like. Engineering consultants from HDR, Inc. presented early plans including up to 10 permanent stations and seasonal stops, with a projected travel time of 40 to 45 minutes between Natural Bridges State Beach and Pajaro.
The hydrogen-powered “Stadler FLIRT” train was identified as the preliminary model under study. Known for its quiet operation and flexibility, the train can run on battery, hydrogen, diesel, or hybrid power. Officials emphasized its suitability for a route with numerous short-to-medium-distance trips.
Public input also began to shape alignments, with special attention paid to areas like Watsonville’s Walker Street and Santa Cruz’s Beach Street, where existing infrastructure and public use require careful navigation.
Also Read: The Uinta Basin Railway Project in Utah: Update and Timeline
June 2025: Executive Summary Released
The release of the Executive Summary of the draft report on Friday marks the Santa Cruz-Pajaro Passenger Rail Project most significant step yet. Key highlights from the summary include:
Construction cost estimated at $4.3 billion.
Annual operations costs between $31 million and $41 million.
Weekday ridership projections between 3,500 and 6,000.
The ride between Santa Cruz and Pajaro would take 40–45 minutes.
28 of 33 bridges may still need replacement, but cost details remain pending.
Nine core stations have been proposed:
Natural Bridges Drive
Downtown Santa Cruz (Depot Park)
Seabright
17th Avenue in Live Oak
Capitola
Cabrillo College
Aptos
Downtown Watsonville
Pajaro
Two key public meetings in June are aimed at sharing costs, ridership forecasts, and station designs with residents, building momentum toward the full public hearing in August.
What’s Next?
If the RTC approves the full conceptual report in August, the next major step will be launching the environmental review process — a multi-year effort that would address regulatory compliance, environmental impact, and further engineering.
However, concerns about the nearly $1 billion in bridge costs remain unresolved. In March, RTC commissioners requested a deeper analysis of whether all 33 bridges require full replacement or if selective upgrades might reduce costs without compromising safety.
Public Engagement and Future Uncertainty
Despite excitement about the project’s promise — faster travel, reduced emissions, and multimodal connectivity — questions about funding, feasibility, and long-term maintenance loom large.
In a region known for its environmental values and transit challenges, the Santa Cruz-Pajaro passenger rail project stands at a crossroads — no longer just a concept, but not yet a certainty.
The coming months will be critical. Public input, cost revisions, and commission decisions will determine whether this $4.3 billion vision stays on track or gets derailed by financial and logistical realities.
