Author | Lightnews

Friends Of The Rail & Trail

@railandtrail.bsky.social

32 followers 6 following 170 posts

Advocating since 2002 for a 32-mile trail & rail system along the Santa Cruz coast—supporting traffic-free commutes, climate action, and equitable access to opportunity & nature. https://www.railandtrail.org/ #RailAndTrail

www.railandtrail.org

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Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 16h

Everyone out walking, biking, and rolling makes you realize how close we really are. The Rail & Trail connects more than places, it connects us.

#RailAndTrail

Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 3d

The Rail & Trail project is what community is all about.
It supports our local businesses, connects our students and families, and helps everyone in Santa Cruz County get where they need to go safely and sustainably.

Every mile we build brings us closer to a connected future.

#RailAndTraiL

Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 4d

This is what smart growth looks like. When transportation, housing, and community all align, everyone wins. Thanks to Jim for letting us share his words and perspective.

#RailAndTrail #SantaCruz

Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 4d

He goes on to note how much new housing and UCSC development is already built right next to the corridor — and how dozens of local businesses are just steps from it.

Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 4d

“The proposed Natural Bridges Drive station is a short walk or bike ride down the rail trail from Swift Street… A train would bring potentially thousands of new customers to Westside businesses and hundreds of workers to Westside employers.”

Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 4d

Jim MacKenzie captured what makes the Westside such a strong fit for Rail & Trail:

Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 5d

We know Santa Cruz County needs to use our rail line for public transportation. Rail is the only mode that actually gets people out of traffic, offers reliable travel times across the county, and works for people of all ages and abilities. At this point we can’t afford not to pursue it.

Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 6d

Local funding includes Measure D’s 8% repair allocation, bonding, and public-private partnerships like Roaring Camp’s offer.

#RailAndTrail

Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 6d

State and Federal grants are still available for rail, including the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail program which was recently expanded to $5 billion.

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Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 6d

Phasing: We don’t need to do everything at once. Start with repairs and visible projects like the Capitola Trestle and the trail in Watsonville.

Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 6d

“From now on, when anyone asks how we’re going to pay for it, the answer should be we’ll take it out of the teargas budget.”

We saw this quote and had to share, but in all seriousness, this is how we pay for Rail & Trail in Santa Cruz County.

Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 7d

This is how real change happens: people show up, stay involved, and push until it gets built.

Sí se puede. Yes we can.

Rail & Trail is possible.

#RailAndTrail

Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 7d

Felipe Hernandez closed out his remarks at the Rail & Trail Festival with a simple message — sí se puede.

We have momentum, we have community support, and we have a once-in-a-generation chance to build a system that works for everyone.

Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 11d

Events like this are how we build support for safer streets — by riding together, being visible, and reminding our county that people want options beyond traffic.

Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 11d

Meet at United Methodist Church (250 California St), ride out to Wilder Ranch, then stop at the Westside Farmers Market on the way back. Bring a shopping bag and an appetite.

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Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 11d

Safer roads don’t happen by accident; they happen when people show up.

Pacific for People is hosting a Monthly Advocacy Ride on Saturday, October 25, from 10:30am–12:30pm. This month’s theme is “From Farms to the Farmers Market.”

Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 12d

Not everyone will ride every day, but giving people another way to get around makes life better for everyone.

#RailAndTrail

Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 12d

The places people in Santa Cruz actually go, like work, school, breweries, coffee, the beach, and downtown, are already lined up along the rail corridor. Rail & Trail just makes it easier to get to them without fighting traffic or parking.

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Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 13d

Every time a new stretch of Rail Trail opens, you can feel the city get a little easier to live in. This is the future we’re building into place, piece by piece.

Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 14d

Rail & Trail gives people a real alternative, saves time, and keeps our transportation dollars working here in Santa Cruz instead of idling on the highway.

#RailAndTrail

Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 14d

People say we can’t afford rail, but what we really can’t afford is to stay stuck like this. Traffic isn’t going to solve itself. The only way out is to add another way to move.

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Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 17d

Step-by-step progress on rail is possible. We don’t need to build everything at once. Phasing the project, starting with bridge repairs, is a normal and cost-effective approach.

Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 18d

With the right planning, leadership, and community support, we can build rail the right way, creating more options for how we move while protecting the place we love.

The opportunity is here. Let’s make the most of it.

#RailAndTrail #SantaCruz #FutureForward

Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 18d

At the Rail & Trail Festival, transportation leader Rod Diridon, Sr. shared an inspiring message about the opportunity Santa Cruz has right now.

Friends Of The Rail & Trail @railandtrail.bsky.social · 19d

Can we really trust every study ever?