San Diego County’s Sprinter gets $7 million for improvements

San Diego County’s Sprinter gets $7 million for improvements

By Trains Staff | December 28, 2022

| Last updated on February 7, 2024


Funds will pay for signal upgrades, first step in doubling frequency of operations

Two-tone blue two-car passenger train
The North County Transit District has received $7 million in federal funding for signal upgrades on its Sprinter line. North County Transit District

SAN DIEGO — The North County Transit District’s Sprinter commuter rail line between Escondido and Oceanside will receive $7 million in federal funding for signal improvements, the first phase of a program to allow frequencies on the 22-mile, 15-station line to double from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports the funds are part of the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act signed by President Joe Biden on Dec. 23.

The Sprinter Corridor Service Improvement Project also calls for double-tracking the entire route, which currently has two tracks for about half its length. Double-tracking would also allow the NCTD to run some express trains during peak periods.

The service began operation in 2008. It uses 12 two-car Siemens Desiro diesel multiple-unit trainsets.

Share this article