Train Service From Coachella Valley-Pass Area To LA: Indio's In

COACHELLA VALLEY, CA — The possibility of providing an expanded Amtrak passenger rail route between Los Angeles Union Station and Indio is alive.

Indio City Councilmembers unanimously approved a resolution Wednesday night to adopt the results of a feasibility study to explore opportunities to provide greater transportation options for its residents and visitors — including train service.

The study, called “Better Connected Indio,” looked at locations for a "multi-modal" transportation hub throughout Indio, zeroing in on the most likely location for possible rail service — the east side of Indio Boulevard at Civic Center Mall. The site has an existing parking lot and is currently being used by Greyhound to provide intercity bus transit service.

“This transportation study reinforced our belief that Indio is not only a prime location for rail service in the Coachella Valley, but is ready to forward that goal within our downtown,” said Indio Mayor Glenn Miller.

The Riverside County Transportation Commission, in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), is studying options for providing additional Amtrak intercity rail service between Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley.

A proposed "Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor Service" would extend from Indio to Los Angeles Union Station, a distance of approximately 141 miles.

Currently, that proposed rail service project is in the early stages of the environmental review process.

According to the Riverside County Transportation Commission, travel on the I-10 corridor is becoming increasingly congested from the west into the Coachella Valley. An intercity rail service between Los Angeles and the San Gorgonio Pass/Coachella Valley would provide a new travel option to help meet future mobility needs for residents, business and visitors. In addition, it would also service disadvantaged communities and help the region conform to air quality regulations.

The proposed travel time on a train from Los Angeles to Indio would take 3 - 3.5 hours, according to the RCTC.

A 2010 RCTC study estimated that a Los Angeles to Coachella Valley train service would incur $75 million in station costs, $40 million in equipment costs, and $11.4 million in yearly operating costs.