CITY OF GROVER BEACH
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
Agenda Item No. 7
Placement: Consent
Meeting Date: August 24, 2026
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Matthew Bronson, City Manager
PREPARED BY: Jeff Lee, Public Works Director/City Engineer SUBJECT: SLOCOG Letter of Support for Pilot Train Service
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution supporting the Coast Rail Coordinating Council (CRCC) in providing a pilot train service between the Los Angeles-San Luis Obispo-San Francisco Bay Area during the 2028 Olympics Games.
BACKGROUND
In 2028, the Summer Olympics are being hosted in the Los Angeles and surrounding areas, and many promotional materials emphasize the region’s push for a car-free 2028 Games. Los Angeles is investing heavily into regional transit projects to prepare for the increase in athletes and tourists from other parts of the U.S. and from around the world. However, California’s statewide rail network lacks ample intercity passenger rail service to support the 2028 Games. There are currently no direct state-supported rail connections between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and the daily Coast Starlight from Seattle to Los Angeles is often overbooked with poor adherence to the posted schedule.
This staff report outlines an effort by the CRCC to acquire state or federal funding to support a temporary pilot service between the San Francisco Bay Area and San Luis Obispo. Staff is seeking adoption of a Resolution (Attachment A) which would demonstrate the City of Grover Beach’s support for the temporary pilot service in the summer of 2028. Adoption of this Resolution would help strengthen CRCC funding requests and show support for the implementation of the proposed pilot train service but does not denote a commitment of City resources.
The CRCC is a coalition of five regional planning agencies on the Central Coast, the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG), Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG), Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (SCCRTC), Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC), and Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC).
Its mission is, “to support and advance transformative passenger and freight rail growth on the Central Coast by collaborating on expanded services and increased frequencies.” The CRCC has been advocating for improved rail service on the Central Coast rail corridor for more than 30 years.
Mayor Dee currently serves on the CRCC Board as a representative of San Luis Obispo County.
As mentioned, there is a gap in state-supported passenger rail service connecting southern and northern California and no state-supported trains that connect Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area which includes San Luis Obispo. It has been shown that additional passenger train Staff Report: SLOCOG Letter of Support Olympic Pilot Train Service Page 2 August 24, 2026
service can be supported if train equipment and rail crews are provided. Additionally, existing passenger rail services now operating between Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo, and San Luis Obispo to San Diego on the Pacific Surfliner trains are only funded through June 2027 and could be continued through the Summer 2028 Olympics with this additional funding.
In total, the CRCC will be seeking state or federal funds of between $2 and $15 million to fund a short-term pilot train service overlapping with the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. If successful, the pilot service could preview future regular Central Coast passenger rail service between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. This temporary service offers an alternative to statewide travel for those seeking to experience the scenery and culture of Coastal California while also lessening traffic congestion on highways and around Southern California's airports. It would improve statewide accessibility to globally renowned events during the Olympic Games and boost economic growth throughout the state. For instance, at least one event is expected to take place in the San Jose area which would be difficult to attend as a tourist without additional passenger rail connections.
Senator Laird is currently working with CRCC staff on a $2 million request for funding. There may also be additional opportunities to secure funding through state or federal bills with a nexus to the 2028 Olympics Games. For instance, the CRCC most recently submitted a funding request to Congressman Salud Carbajal for $10 million through the BUILD America 250 Act to support the pilot service in 2028. The CRCC continues to monitor any potential opportunities.
As the facilitating agency of the CRCC, SLOCOG will be leading the development of a conceptual service operations plan under a short-term sole source contract with HDR, Inc. The plan will provide an overview of two feasible service concepts, schedules, equipment and crew needs, and implementation challenges. More information and updates regarding the plan can be found on the CRCC website here: https://www.slocog.org/programs/public-transportation/rail/coast-railcoordinating-council-crcc
FISCAL IMPACT
There are no funding impacts to this staff report.
ALTERNATIVES
The Council has the following alternatives to consider:
1. Adopt a Resolution supporting the Coast Rail Coordinating Council (CRCC) in providing a pilot train service between the Los Angeles-San Luis Obispo-San Francisco Bay Area during the 2028 Olympics Games; or
2. Do not adopt the resolution and provide alternative direction to staff.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
The agenda was posted in accordance with the Brown Act.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution
Staff Report: SLOCOG Letter of Support Olympic Pilot Train Service Page 3 August 24, 2026
Multi-Year Goals
☐ Public Safety and Community Services ☐ Economic Development and Housing ☐ Community Infrastructure ☐ Financial and Organization Sustainability Council Priorities
☐ Water & Wastewater Infrastructure ☐ Community Engagement ☐ Street Improvements and Maintenance
RESOLUTION NO. 26-
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GROVER BEACH,
CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING PILOT RAIL SERVICE CONNECTING LOS ANGELES AND THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA FOR THE 2028 OLYMPICS GAMES
WHEREAS, the Coast Rail Coordinating Council is comprised of coastal transportation planning agencies advocating for rail improvements for 30 years along the Pacific Coast Route; and
WHEREAS, the 2028 Olympics Games will be hosted in Los Angeles, and official venues will be located in other large metropolitan areas such as San Jose and San Diego; and WHEREAS, the 2028 Olympics Games attract millions of domestic and international tourists that will choose to take rail or air service between southern and northern California; and WHEREAS, there is a gap in state-supported passenger rail service connecting southern and northern California. Specifically, there are no state-supported trains that connect Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. The gap is service between San Luis Obispo and San Jose on the Pacific Coast Route; and
WHEREAS, existing rail infrastructure could support an additional passenger train if train equipment and rail crews can be provided; and
WHEREAS, the Coast Rail Coordinating Council is now identifying the funding needs to support planning, capital, and operations of a passenger rail pilot service during the Olympics; and
WHEREAS, new passenger rail services now operating between Los Angeles & San Luis Obispo, and San Luis Obispo to San Diego on the Pacific Surfliner trains are funded only through June 2027 and should be continued through the Summer 2028 Olympics; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Grover Beach, California, supports fully funding the Business Plans for the Capitol Corridor and Los AngelesSan Diego-San Luis Obispo corridor to maintain pre-COVID passenger service levels, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Grover Beach, California, supports efforts by the Coast Rail Coordinating Council to provide a “pilot” passenger train service between Los Angeles-San Luis Obispo-San Francisco Bay Area during the 2028 Olympics Games.
On motion by Council Member _____, seconded by Council Member ____, and on the following roll-call vote, to wit:
AYES: Council Members –
NOES: Council Members –
ABSENT: Council Members –
ABSTAIN: Council Members –
RECUSED: Council Members –
Attachment 1
Resolution No. 26- Page 2
the foregoing Resolution was PASSED, APPROVED, and ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Grover Beach, California this 24th day of August 2026.
KASSI DEE, MAYOR
Attest:
WENDI B. SIMS, CITY CLERK