Surfliner Reservations Mandatory For San Clemente Riders

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — If you love to ride the rails in San Clemente, you'll now need an advanced reservation to do so. Passenger reservations are required on Pacific Surfliner trains traveling through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties from Sept. 3-7 to safely manage capacity, an Amtrak spokesperson says.

Labor Day weekend to be busier than normal, according to Amtrak. The rail line is adding additional train cars when possible to increase the number of available seats on select trains, a statement from the transportation agency says.

Still, there is a limited number of seats onboard each Pacific Surfliner train.

If the reservations system is successful, more dates may be added, depending on travel demand.

The Rail 2 Rail program is suspended from Sept. 3- 7, and will start up again on Sept. 8. That means, monthly Metrolink and COASTER passes will not be accepted on Pacific Surfliner trains during this time.

NOTE: Amtrak monthly and 10-ride passes may still be used. However, multi-ride ticket holders will be required to confirm each trip train and date through the Amtrak RideReserve program on www.Amtrak.com, the Amtrak app or an Amtrak agent prior to traveling during the reservation period.

"Passengers are encouraged to follow safety measures and any important public health orders in place during their trip and at their destination," they said. That includes wearing a mask at stations and onboard trains at all times, washing hands or using sanitizer often and staying home if they are feeling sick, according to Amtrak officials.

Note: Masks are not optional onboard Surfliner and Amtrak trains during the ongoing pandemic.

"Per federal law and Amtrak policy, all customers and employees must wear a face mask or covering that fully covers the entire mouth and nose, fits snugly against the side of the face, and secures under the chin at all times while onboard and in stations," they said.

The Pacific Surfliner travels along a 351-mile coastal rail route through Southern California, serving 27 stations.