Caltrain looking to expand rail service to Monterey County

SALINAS, Calif., (KION-TV)- Commuters could soon have an answer on a new transportation option to the Bay Area.

The Transportation Agency For Monterey County announced their vision for their Caltrain rail service extension from Gilroy to a new point in Salinas.

Transportation authorities hope that this new Caltrain service will revitalize the Downtown Salinas train station.

Christina Watson who is the director of planning of TAMC said that the design plans are at 100% which means the project is moving forward into the construction phase.

Watson said currently Caltrain have four of their trains that go down to Gilroy.

"We're working with the Caltrain commuter rail agency up in the Bay area that has trains going between San Francisco and San Jose," Watson said. "So we're looking to extend that service down to Salinas from Gilroy.”

Transportation officials said that this could be an alternate way of traveling to avoid the potential traffic on Highway 101.

There has already been a new adjustment for the intersections for Salinas Transit Center.

Watson said this past year a new intersection was developed on Lincoln Avenue that extends across Market Street.

Transportation officials said that they will be looking to make Amtrak rides more assessable to help people with physical disabilities in order to have an easier time getting on and off the train.

The Transportation Agency For Monterey County expects constructions for the Caltrain rail service extension to start as early as Summer 2025.