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.
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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.
May 15 min read
Rail Trail Construction Progress Tracking
The latest Rail Trail construction updates. There's nothing faster than being built now! More miles are being completed every year. More...
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
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...
Mar 22, 20233 min read
Why do EIRs include Discredited Alternatives
Alternative Scenarios in EIRs Many folks have been wondering why there is still discussion of the ‘interim trail’ in the Draft...
Dec 7, 20223 min read
TRAIL FUNDED! $103M Awarded for Rail Trail Construction
We’re so excited to announce that the latest Coastal Rail Trail grant applications have been a huge success. Both the City of Santa Cruz...
Dec 1, 20222 min read
RTC Approves Electric Rail Next Step!
Moving Forward with Rail Planning Thanks to community support for expanding our transportation system to include both a trail AND...
Jul 31, 20223 min read
Where’s my Stop? Planning the Next Step for Electric Rail!
A quick guide to the rail design process that Santa Cruz County will take over the next few years.
Jul 10, 20224 min read
NO on D Election Landslide: Next Steps for Rail & Trail
On June 7 2022, the Santa Cruz County electorate came together with an outpouring of support for keeping the current plan to have both...
Apr 27, 20226 min read
20 Years of Progress Blocked by Anti-Transit Organization Greenway
In 2002, over 20 years ago, the Santa Cruz County Friends of the Rail & Trail was established with the mission of manifesting a paved...
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