Drivers Avoid Traffic by Boarding New Commuter Train Service

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) - For many working on the South Coast, their morning commute will no longer involve their personal car anymore. A new train service is offering another set of wheels.

The AMTRAK Pacific Surfliner has started a new morning line from Ventura County cities including Simi Valley, Oxnard and Ventura and the goal is to have the train arrive in Santa Barbara just before 8 a.m. and in Goleta shortly after 8 a.m.

It was on time Monday morning.

Passengers who needed a ride to their business or somewhere close by, were offered a free shuttle.

There were stops to help those working at UC Santa Barbara, the Hollister tech-corridor, Cottage hospital and downtown Santa Barbara government offices.

Many of those workers would normally be driving, and in congestion between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. daily and it is not uncommon for the commute to last more than an hour.

The new train service is part of a bigger picture plan to add the train and also finish with the freeway work to add a lane in each direction.

The train and lane concept has been a long-time goal for transportation officials with the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG).

(More details, video and photos will be added here later today.)

The Latest Breaking News, Weather Alerts, Sports and More Anytime On Our Mobile Apps. Keep Up With the Latest Articles by Signing Up for the News Channel 3-12 Newsletter.

The post Drivers Avoid Traffic by Boarding New Commuter Train Service appeared first on News Channel 3-12.