CHICO, Calif. — A new plan proposes to extend commuter rail service in California’s central valley north of Sacramento, providing up to four round trips a day as far north as Chico, about 90 miles north of the state capital.
The North Valley Rail proposal from the Butte County Association of Governments proposes offering commuter service connecting the communities of Chico, Gridley, Marysville-Yuba City, Plumas Lake and Natomas in Sacramento County. At Natomas, it would connect with the northernmost station planned for the Altamont Corridor Express service to the Bay Area and other points in the Central Valley. An alternate proposal would serve Oroville rather than Chico and Gridley.
A fact sheet estimates start-up costs of $500 million, but KCRA-TV reports the Association of Governments hopes most of that would come from state and federal funding. A current timeline hopes for limited service beginning in 2028 with full operation by 2030.
A virtual public workshop on the proposal is set for Feb. 23. More information is available at the Butte County Association of Governments website.
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