Coaster (rail service)

COASTER
A Coaster train waits at San Diego Santa Fe Depot
Overview
Service typeCommuter rail
LocaleSan Diego County, California, United States
First serviceFebruary 27, 1995 (1995-02-27)
Current operator(s)North County Transit District
Former operator(s)
Ridership2,400 (weekdays, Q1 2025)
Annual ridership871,200 (2024)
Websitegonctd.com/coaster
Route
TerminiOceanside
San Diego
Stops8
Distance travelled41 mi (66 km)
Average journey time1 hour, 1 minute
Train number(s)630-699
Line(s) usedSurf Line
Technical
Rolling stock9 locomotives, 28 coaches
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Operating speed90 mph (140 km/h) (top)
40 mph (64 km/h) (average)
Track owner(s)San Diego Association of Governments and North County Transit District
Route map
COASTER highlighted in teal
Maintenance facility
Oceanside
Carlsbad Village
Carlsbad Poinsettia
Encinitas
Solana Beach
Del Mar Fairgrounds
(planned, 2028)
Zone 1
Zone 2
Sorrento Valley
Zone 2
Zone 3
to UTC
Old Town San Diego
San Diego
Convention Center
(planned, 2025)
Storage yard

All stations are accessible

Coaster (stylized in all caps) (reporting marks NCTC, SDNX) is a commuter rail service in the central and northern coastal regions of San Diego County, California, United States, operated by the North County Transit District (NCTD).

The 41-mile (66 km) commuter rail line features eight stops, with a travel time of about one hour and one minute end-to-end. The service operates seven days a week except nights, with slightly greater frequency during weekday peak periods.

Coaster first entered service on February 27, 1995, and has since grown in ridership and capacity. In 2024, the line had a ridership of 871,200, or about 2,400 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2025.