NCTD Strictly Enforcing 'No Trespassing' Along Coaster, Sprinter Tracks

The North County Transit District announced last week that it is "significantly increasing" its enforcement against trespassing along its Coaster rail corridor, which runs from Oceanside to San Diego through Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar and La Jolla, and along its Sprinter rail corridor, which runs from Oceanside to Escondido through Vista and San Marcos.

Those crossing the track illegally or trespassing on the railroad right-of-way will face criminal penalties for their violation of the law by NCTD’s Transit Enforcement Division Officers, or the San Diego County Sheriff’s Transit Enforcement Services Unit, NCTD officials stated in a news release. The penalties for trespassing on the railroad right-of-way can result in fines up to $500 and/or six months in jail, according to NCTD.

"There’s an increasing problem we are seeing, and it needs to be stopped — now," said Jaime Becerra, NCTD chief of Transit Enforcement. "Every day, people are blatantly risking their life as they illegally cross these tracks. What they don’t realize is that they are also risking the lives of hundreds of other people, too."

Each time a train comes to an emergency stop due to trespassers on or near the track, there is a risk of injury to the passengers and train crews who didn’t expect a sudden stop, according to NCTD.

"A train doesn’t stop like a car, and it definitely can’t swerve like a car," Becerra said.

In addition to the risk of injury, NCTD officials say, emergency stops require an inspection of the rail after they occur. This legally mandated inspection delays passengers on that particular train, and can adversely affect the rest of the rail corridor. The inspection and delays can result in not just a cost of time, but an economic burden to passengers unable to get to work, and to taxpayers who pay for the inspection, according to NCTD.

"With a trespasser on the rails, the best-case scenario is that hundreds of passengers are inconveniently delayed due to an emergency stop. But far too often the results are tragic," said Sean Loofbourrow, NCTD chief of Safety. "There is no such thing as illegally crossing a railroad track safely. It’s always unsafe, and it’s always wrong to jeopardize the safety of others just for the convenience of crossing where you want to cross."

NCTD operates more than 400 SPRINTER trains each week along its inland corridor and more than 130 COASTER trains each week along its coastal corridor, with additional trains operated by Amtrak, Metrolink and BNSF Railway. It is part of the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor (LOSSAN) which is the second busiest intercity passenger rail corridor in the United States, NCTD officials said.

(Photo courtesy of NCTD)