Above: Amtrak Pacific Surfliner loading passengers before continuing to San Luis Obispo

While the railroad has the potential to be an efficient mode of alternate transportation, the current conflict between passenger trains and freight trains stands in the way of a more travel-friendly system.  For example, the popular Coast Starlight, which travels from Los Angeles to Seattle, is late 56% of the time.  Amtrak estimates that 80% of its trains are late due to commercial railroads.  Since most of Amtrak’s routes are owned by commercial railroads, passenger trains are often halted to let large freight trains pass.  With the addition of other train problems, such as breakdowns, Amtrak becomes a very untimely option for passengers.  Also, passenger trains are less profitable than the commercial lines; thus, mass transportation and the environment suffer due to the drive for higher revenue.

Although the initial cost to improve the system may be great, the ultimate outcome would serve both improved public transit and the environment.  In the past, the railroad has served as a connecting force between northern and southern California, and San Luis Obispo has played a significant role in this.  The Coast Starlight and the Pacific Surfliner (which runs from San Diego to San Luis Obispo) stretch across the state, and through these lines, Amtrak could serve a majority of Cal Poly students.  If the system was improved, train travel could limit pollution from cars and offer Poly students the chance to study or simply enjoy California’s landscape while traveling. 

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