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
This week, we’re feeling especially thankful for the volunteers who power Friends of the Rail & Trail.
Every meeting you attend, every note you send, every conversation you spark with a neighbor keeps this movement going.
Every meeting you attend, every note you send, every conversation you spark with a neighbor keeps this movement going.
November 27, 2025 at 12:36 AM
This week, we’re feeling especially thankful for the volunteers who power Friends of the Rail & Trail.
Every meeting you attend, every note you send, every conversation you spark with a neighbor keeps this movement going.
Every meeting you attend, every note you send, every conversation you spark with a neighbor keeps this movement going.
Investing in public transportation is one of the smartest things we can do as a community.
California would save an estimated $50 billion in healthcare costs over the next 30 years by shifting more trips to transit.
www.apta.com/research-tec...
California would save an estimated $50 billion in healthcare costs over the next 30 years by shifting more trips to transit.
www.apta.com/research-tec...
Economic Impact Of Public Transportation Investment - American Public Transportation Association
APTA reports on the economic impact of public transportation. Agencies can use the My Economic Impact tool to estimate their own economic impact.
www.apta.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Investing in public transportation is one of the smartest things we can do as a community.
California would save an estimated $50 billion in healthcare costs over the next 30 years by shifting more trips to transit.
www.apta.com/research-tec...
California would save an estimated $50 billion in healthcare costs over the next 30 years by shifting more trips to transit.
www.apta.com/research-tec...
Big news: Rail is officially moving forward with state and federal backing.
Santa Cruz is part of the Central Coast Corridor, one of just nine rail corridors in California accepted into the Federal Corridor ID Program — a fully funded program designed to move top rail projects toward construction.
Santa Cruz is part of the Central Coast Corridor, one of just nine rail corridors in California accepted into the Federal Corridor ID Program — a fully funded program designed to move top rail projects toward construction.
November 25, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Big news: Rail is officially moving forward with state and federal backing.
Santa Cruz is part of the Central Coast Corridor, one of just nine rail corridors in California accepted into the Federal Corridor ID Program — a fully funded program designed to move top rail projects toward construction.
Santa Cruz is part of the Central Coast Corridor, one of just nine rail corridors in California accepted into the Federal Corridor ID Program — a fully funded program designed to move top rail projects toward construction.
Rail can go where buses and cars simply can’t. The rail corridor cuts straight from Santa Cruz to Capitola and Aptos, which is why passenger rail would move faster than driving even before traffic comes into the picture.
November 20, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Rail can go where buses and cars simply can’t. The rail corridor cuts straight from Santa Cruz to Capitola and Aptos, which is why passenger rail would move faster than driving even before traffic comes into the picture.
There are a lot of ways to support Rail & Trail, and every single one of them matters.
If you haven’t written the RTC yet, now’s the time. If you’ve been meaning to volunteer, we’d love to have you.
If you haven’t written the RTC yet, now’s the time. If you’ve been meaning to volunteer, we’d love to have you.
November 19, 2025 at 6:38 PM
There are a lot of ways to support Rail & Trail, and every single one of them matters.
If you haven’t written the RTC yet, now’s the time. If you’ve been meaning to volunteer, we’d love to have you.
If you haven’t written the RTC yet, now’s the time. If you’ve been meaning to volunteer, we’d love to have you.
This postcard shows the Southern Pacific Flyer crossing the Capitola Trestle more than a century ago. The rail line has always tied together our communities, our beaches, our neighborhoods, and the places we work. Now we get to decide what the next 100 years look like.
#RailAndTrail
#RailAndTrail
November 18, 2025 at 9:26 PM
This postcard shows the Southern Pacific Flyer crossing the Capitola Trestle more than a century ago. The rail line has always tied together our communities, our beaches, our neighborhoods, and the places we work. Now we get to decide what the next 100 years look like.
#RailAndTrail
#RailAndTrail
Here’s a public transit model more cities should know about. It’s the Karlsruhe Stadtbahn in Germany, a metro region of about 310,000 people. Their system runs tram-trains that work like commuter rail outside town and like streetcars inside town, with no need to switch modes.
November 18, 2025 at 12:02 AM
Here’s a public transit model more cities should know about. It’s the Karlsruhe Stadtbahn in Germany, a metro region of about 310,000 people. Their system runs tram-trains that work like commuter rail outside town and like streetcars inside town, with no need to switch modes.
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.