Friends Of The Rail & Trail
@railandtrail.bsky.social
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
https://www.railandtrail.org/
#RailAndTrail
Friends of the Rail & Trail is a volunteer-powered group of neighbors who want Santa Cruz County to have safer streets, cleaner air, and real transportation options. Teachers, students, retirees, parents, small business owners — all pitching in because we care about the future of this county.
November 15, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Friends of the Rail & Trail is a volunteer-powered group of neighbors who want Santa Cruz County to have safer streets, cleaner air, and real transportation options. Teachers, students, retirees, parents, small business owners — all pitching in because we care about the future of this county.
The Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line has been here for almost 150 years, and it still runs right through the heart of our community. It passes by Capitola Village, Downtown Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Aptos Village, and Natural Bridges — all the places people already spend their time.
November 13, 2025 at 11:48 PM
The Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line has been here for almost 150 years, and it still runs right through the heart of our community. It passes by Capitola Village, Downtown Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Aptos Village, and Natural Bridges — all the places people already spend their time.
When the federal government shuts down, everything that depends on it slows or stops. Our transportation system is built on that dependence. Highways, airports, parking, and big infrastructure all rely on billions in public funding every year.
November 12, 2025 at 9:12 PM
When the federal government shuts down, everything that depends on it slows or stops. Our transportation system is built on that dependence. Highways, airports, parking, and big infrastructure all rely on billions in public funding every year.
At the Rail & Trail Festival, Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley reminded us that big projects come with big visions.
Quoting transportation leader Rob Diridon, he spoke about how we can’t let large price tags scare us away — projects like rail aren’t built for the next five years,
Quoting transportation leader Rob Diridon, he spoke about how we can’t let large price tags scare us away — projects like rail aren’t built for the next five years,
November 11, 2025 at 8:56 PM
At the Rail & Trail Festival, Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley reminded us that big projects come with big visions.
Quoting transportation leader Rob Diridon, he spoke about how we can’t let large price tags scare us away — projects like rail aren’t built for the next five years,
Quoting transportation leader Rob Diridon, he spoke about how we can’t let large price tags scare us away — projects like rail aren’t built for the next five years,
The best transit systems don’t just follow highways; they connect people to neighborhoods, jobs, and daily life.
#RailAndTrail #SantaCruz
#RailAndTrail #SantaCruz
November 10, 2025 at 9:55 PM
The best transit systems don’t just follow highways; they connect people to neighborhoods, jobs, and daily life.
#RailAndTrail #SantaCruz
#RailAndTrail #SantaCruz
“But where will people park?” Sometimes it’s easy to forget that we have feet! Most people walk to transit stops — which is why it’s so important that more than 150,000 people in Santa Cruz County live within walking distance of the Rail Line.
Better connections start with walkable access.
Better connections start with walkable access.
November 7, 2025 at 9:04 PM
“But where will people park?” Sometimes it’s easy to forget that we have feet! Most people walk to transit stops — which is why it’s so important that more than 150,000 people in Santa Cruz County live within walking distance of the Rail Line.
Better connections start with walkable access.
Better connections start with walkable access.
We’ve been visiting some of our favorite spots along the Rail & Trail— New Leaf for snacks, Natural Bridges for the views, Wilder Ranch for a ride, and Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery to wrap it up.
Every stop reminds us how connected our community feels when you can bike, walk, or roll between places.
Every stop reminds us how connected our community feels when you can bike, walk, or roll between places.
November 6, 2025 at 9:35 PM
We’ve been visiting some of our favorite spots along the Rail & Trail— New Leaf for snacks, Natural Bridges for the views, Wilder Ranch for a ride, and Santa Cruz Mountain Brewery to wrap it up.
Every stop reminds us how connected our community feels when you can bike, walk, or roll between places.
Every stop reminds us how connected our community feels when you can bike, walk, or roll between places.
It gets dark early now, and the weather’s starting to turn. That’s when it really hits how nice it is to have options beyond just biking or walking. Rail gives people a clean, easy way to move around, no matter the season or the weather.
#RailAndTrail #SantaCruz
#RailAndTrail #SantaCruz
November 5, 2025 at 9:04 PM
It gets dark early now, and the weather’s starting to turn. That’s when it really hits how nice it is to have options beyond just biking or walking. Rail gives people a clean, easy way to move around, no matter the season or the weather.
#RailAndTrail #SantaCruz
#RailAndTrail #SantaCruz
Elections matter.
Local leadership shapes how our county grows, how we move, and how we care for our environment and communities.
If you love the Rail & Trail, if you want safer streets, cleaner air, and connected neighborhoods—vote for it. Every ballot counts.
Local leadership shapes how our county grows, how we move, and how we care for our environment and communities.
If you love the Rail & Trail, if you want safer streets, cleaner air, and connected neighborhoods—vote for it. Every ballot counts.
November 4, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Elections matter.
Local leadership shapes how our county grows, how we move, and how we care for our environment and communities.
If you love the Rail & Trail, if you want safer streets, cleaner air, and connected neighborhoods—vote for it. Every ballot counts.
Local leadership shapes how our county grows, how we move, and how we care for our environment and communities.
If you love the Rail & Trail, if you want safer streets, cleaner air, and connected neighborhoods—vote for it. Every ballot counts.
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
#RailAndTrail
November 3, 2025 at 11:14 PM
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
#RailAndTrail
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
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
October 31, 2025 at 10:13 PM
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
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
Jim MacKenzie captured what makes the Westside such a strong fit for Rail & Trail:
October 30, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Jim MacKenzie captured what makes the Westside such a strong fit for Rail & Trail:
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.
October 29, 2025 at 11:08 PM
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.
“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.
We saw this quote and had to share, but in all seriousness, this is how we pay for Rail & Trail in Santa Cruz County.
October 28, 2025 at 10:02 PM
“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.
We saw this quote and had to share, but in all seriousness, this is how we pay for Rail & Trail in Santa Cruz County.
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.
We have momentum, we have community support, and we have a once-in-a-generation chance to build a system that works for everyone.
October 28, 2025 at 12:48 AM
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.
We have momentum, we have community support, and we have a once-in-a-generation chance to build a system that works for everyone.
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.”
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.”
October 24, 2025 at 12:07 AM
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.”
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.”
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.
October 23, 2025 at 12:04 AM
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.
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.
October 21, 2025 at 10:05 PM
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.
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.
October 20, 2025 at 9:47 PM
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.
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.
October 17, 2025 at 10:23 PM
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.
At the Rail & Trail Festival, transportation leader Rod Diridon, Sr. shared an inspiring message about the opportunity Santa Cruz has right now.
October 16, 2025 at 11:00 PM
At the Rail & Trail Festival, transportation leader Rod Diridon, Sr. shared an inspiring message about the opportunity Santa Cruz has right now.
Can we really trust every study ever?
October 15, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Can we really trust every study ever?
We love hearing from people who use the Rail Trail every day.
At the Harvest Trail Festival last year, one rider told us what she loves most — the wide lanes, how safe it feels, and getting to share the space with others. For her, it’s just part of the daily routine now.
At the Harvest Trail Festival last year, one rider told us what she loves most — the wide lanes, how safe it feels, and getting to share the space with others. For her, it’s just part of the daily routine now.
October 10, 2025 at 10:57 PM
We love hearing from people who use the Rail Trail every day.
At the Harvest Trail Festival last year, one rider told us what she loves most — the wide lanes, how safe it feels, and getting to share the space with others. For her, it’s just part of the daily routine now.
At the Harvest Trail Festival last year, one rider told us what she loves most — the wide lanes, how safe it feels, and getting to share the space with others. For her, it’s just part of the daily routine now.
“Nobody will use the train.”
The demand is already here. Around 70% of commuters in Santa Cruz County travel within the county, and the rail line gives people an alternative to sitting in traffic.
The demand is already here. Around 70% of commuters in Santa Cruz County travel within the county, and the rail line gives people an alternative to sitting in traffic.
October 9, 2025 at 11:18 PM
“Nobody will use the train.”
The demand is already here. Around 70% of commuters in Santa Cruz County travel within the county, and the rail line gives people an alternative to sitting in traffic.
The demand is already here. Around 70% of commuters in Santa Cruz County travel within the county, and the rail line gives people an alternative to sitting in traffic.
“How can we pay for rail as a small community?”
Most of the cost isn’t on us alone. We already have local sales tax revenue that helps maintain our rail line, and most construction funding will come from state and federal grants that can only be used for rail projects.
Most of the cost isn’t on us alone. We already have local sales tax revenue that helps maintain our rail line, and most construction funding will come from state and federal grants that can only be used for rail projects.
October 8, 2025 at 11:42 PM
“How can we pay for rail as a small community?”
Most of the cost isn’t on us alone. We already have local sales tax revenue that helps maintain our rail line, and most construction funding will come from state and federal grants that can only be used for rail projects.
Most of the cost isn’t on us alone. We already have local sales tax revenue that helps maintain our rail line, and most construction funding will come from state and federal grants that can only be used for rail projects.