News Archive | Rail and Trail

2 hours ago4 min read

Comment Now! Milestone 3 Rail Design

Make sure to get your comments in for the design of Santa Cruz County's new passenger Rail Service. Comments are due December 20th 2024.

Oct 291 min read

Rail Service Design Workshops

November 12th and 13th, 2024. Click here for the details about the upcoming in-person workshops in Watsonville and Live Oak.

Oct 295 min read

Just the Facts - FAQ's about the Rail Trail and Rail Service

We did the research so you don't have to. Fact checking claims made by Greenway and Trail Now about the Rail & Trail.

Oct 41 min read

Harvest Tour on the Rail Trail

Join us on October 19th for a scavenger hunt! Walk, roll or ride to over 20 different stops and activities along the Westside Rail Trail.

Oct 41 min read

Does your Candidate Support The Rail & Trail?

Santa Cruz County Rail & Trail Election Guide - Candidate Survey

Aug 143 min read

Best Practices in Designing a Rail System

We’ve been going over design best practices, grant requirements, and demographic and transportation data to make sure the new rail service w

Aug 134 min read

Guide to Funding our Rail Project

California and the Federal Govenment have recently increased the amount of funding available for rail projects. Let's take a look.

Jun 245 min read

Let’s Get Started Designing the Rail Service We Want to See!

Over the next four weeks, the Santa Cruz Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is taking public comment on the first draft of rail...

Jun 192 min read

First-ever Rail & Trailblazer Awards Announced at Groundbreaking for North Coast Segment

Santa Cruz Friends of the Rail & Trail presenting the first-ever Rail & Trailblazer awards to Grace Blakeslee and Andy Schiffrin.

Jun 62 min read

Construction Begins on Spectacular North Reach Rail Trail

Construction begins on North Reach Rail Trail connecting Wilder Ranch, Cotoni-Coast Dairies National Monument and Davenport.

May 15 min read

Rail Trail Construction Progress Tracking

Stay updated with the latest Rail Trail construction updates. More than 14 additional miles of the rail trail are expected to be...

Apr 166 min read

Getting to the Facts: Rail & Trail Together are both Feasible and Fundable.

Former Greenway Executive Director Manu Koenig continues to use delay tactics, half-truths, and misinformation to try and stop the Rail &...

Apr 55 min read

Transit Group Pushes Supervisors on Rail Trail

More than 50 local transportation advocates rallied in front of the Santa Cruz County Government Center on Wednesday to call on county

Mar 317 min read

State Grant Hangs in the Balance with Rail Trail Segments in Limbo

After simmering beneath the surface for months, one of Santa Cruz County’s most hotly debated issues was recently brought back

Mar 273 min read

What Happened at the Board of Supervisor's Meeting This Week

The March 26th Board of Supervisors Meeting had a giant (not good) surprise for Rail Trail supporters. During a routine EIR approval for...

Nov 28, 20233 min read

New Advocacy Brings In 34M

2023 has been an exciting year because we were able to do something we've wanted to do for a long time: successfully advocate for public...

Jul 19, 20232 min read

Risks and Opportunities for the Rail & Trail Projects

Updated 8/7/2023 by Friends of the Rail & Trail The 2024 Supervisorial Election presents both a risk and an opportunity for any Rail and...

May 9, 20233 min read

Art on the Rail Trail

We were fortunate to have a chance to talk with artist Jenni Ward and learn about the planned installation of her artwork on the Westside...

Apr 23, 20233 min read

New Santa Cruz Bus and Rail State Grant Funding

We are thrilled to share that Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties have been awarded three state grants to advance our regional sustainable...

Mar 22, 20234 min read

Everything You Need to Know About the Rail & Trail Projects in Santa Cruz County

In 2022, after the citizens defeated an anti-transit ballot measure calling for ripping out out the tracks, Santa Cruz County moved...