Rail commuters between Los Angeles and San Diego faced major disruptions Thursday due to debris on the tracks in San Clemente, Amtrak officials reported. The blockages, a residue of recent turbulent weather, have taken a toll on the Pacific Surfliner Service schedule, leaving passengers forced to scramble for alternate transportation options or to adjust their travel plans.
In a statement released, Amtrak detailed the extent of the travel chaos. All Northbound trains, including 573 and 587, were cancelled completely. Others suffered partial cancellations with Train 761 not running between San Diego and Los Angeles and Train 765 cut short between San Diego and Irvine. Further adding to the turmoil, trains 581, 591, and 595 won't be operating between San Diego and Oceanside. In an attempt to bridge the disconnect, Amtrak has provisioned bus services for 769, 777, and 785 running between Oceanside and Irvine.
Southbound routes fared no better. Complete cancellations were announced for Trains 572 and 586. Additionally, train 562 will not run between San Juan Capistrano and San Diego, and train 564 is halted between San Juan Capistrano and Oceanside. Trains 580 and 790 are also canceled between Oceanside and San Diego, with Train 794 ceasing operation between Fullerton and San Diego. To help mitigate the situation, buses have been arranged to connect Irvine and Oceanside for passengers aboard trains 770, 774, and 784.
For those holding reservations on the affected trains, Amtrak has indicated accommodations will typically be made for trains with similar departure times or on alternate days. In an unusually customer-friendly move highlighted by the same statement, additional charges will be waived for customers needing to alter their travel plans. For this purpose, they can reach out to the reservation center at 1-800-USA-RAIL. For the latest train status, travelers are encouraged to visit Amtrak.com or use the company's free mobile app.
