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Sprinter (rail service)
Hybrid rail service in San Diego County, California

SPRINTER is a hybrid rail service operating in North County, San Diego County, running 22 miles along the Escondido Subdivision between Escondido and Oceanside, serving 15 stations in cities including Vista and San Marcos. The line connects educational institutions such as California State University, San Marcos and Palomar College. Operated by the North County Transit District, which also runs the Coaster commuter rail and Breeze buses, Sprinter runs every 30 minutes. At Oceanside Transit Center, it connects to multiple commuter rails like Metrolink and Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner. Ridership dropped 46% after the COVID-19 pandemic as reported by The San Diego Union-Tribune.

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History

Sprinter is the first passenger train service along the Escondido Branch since the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway discontinued passenger service in 1946. Originally built in 1888, the entire line had to be rebuilt to accommodate more traffic and be elevated because the line runs along a river.3

The funding for Sprinter originated with the TransNet Tax (Proposition C) measure passed by San Diego County voters in 1987 to relieve traffic congestion. A third of the tax was dedicated to mass transit.45 The $477 million project also was funded through a $152 million Full Funding Grant Agreement from the Federal Transit Administration.6

NCTD purchased the line in 1992 from the Santa Fe Railroad. As Sprinter was officially “founded” in 2005, Construction started on the line that same year and was scheduled for completion in December 2007. The Sprinter was previewed on December 28, 2007,78 with full revenue service scheduled to begin on January 13, 2008. Opening was delayed due to safety and other concerns,910 and began on March 9, 2008.11

Sprinter was the least expensive rail project per mile of 10 rail projects built or planned in California in 2005.12 American Public Works Association (APWA) awarded Sprinter the Transportation Project of the Year for projects valued over $75 million.13

Service

Sprinter runs every 30 minutes in both directions seven days a week, from approximately 4 am to 9 pm.14 Trains run later on Friday and Saturday evenings, to approximately 10:30pm (westbound to Oceanside), and to approximately 11:30pm (eastbound to Escondido).15 Saturday/Sunday/Holiday trains operate every 30 minutes between 10 am and 6 pm and hourly before 10 am and after 6 pm.16

Stations

Sprinter serves a total of 15 stations,17 including the two termini at Oceanside and Escondido. Three of these stations are transit centers – the two termini, Oceanside Transit Center and Escondido Transit Center, along with the Vista Transit Center station.

LocationStationConnections
OceansideOceanside Transit Center Amtrak: Pacific Surfliner Metrolink: Orange County Line, Inland Empire–Orange County Line North County Transit District (NCTD): COASTER NCTD Breeze: 101, 302, 303, 313, 318, FLEX 392, FLEX 395
Coast Highway
Crouch Street NCTD Breeze: 318
El Camino Real NCTD Breeze: 309
Rancho Del Oro NCTD Breeze: 311, 318, 323
College Boulevard NCTD Breeze: 315, 318, 323, 325
Melrose Drive NCTD Breeze: 318
VistaVista Transit Center NCTD Breeze: 302, 303, 305, 306, 318, 332, 334, 632, 634
Civic Center–Vista
Buena Creek NCTD Breeze: 305, 332
San MarcosPalomar College NCTD Breeze: 304, 305, 347, 445, 645
San Marcos Civic Center NCTD Breeze: 305
Cal State San Marcos NCTD Breeze: 347
EscondidoNordahl Road NCTD Breeze: 305, 353
Escondido Transit Center NCTD Breeze: 305, 308, Rapid 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, FLEX 371, 388, 608, 651/652 Metropolitan Transit System: Rapid 235, Rapid Express 280

Fares

A one-way trip on Sprinter costs $2.50 per rider, $1.25 for Senior (60+)/Disabled/Medicare riders (children under 5 years old ride for free; up to 3).18

In addition, riders can buy passes (e.g. Regional 24-Hour Pass, Regional 30-Day Pass) which allow for unlimited travel not only on Sprinter, but on other NCTD and MTS systems, such as the San Diego Trolley, and Breeze and MTS buses, for the duration of that pass. Rides on those systems, plus the Coaster commuter rail, and express buses, require a "RegionPlus" pass.

Pronto fare system

Main article: Pronto Card

Sprinter, along with all other NCTD and MTS services, utilizes the Pronto contactless fare system introduced in September 2021; succeededing the first-generation Compass Card system."19 The Pronto fare system allows for a tap-on, tap-off approach, so riders on Sprinter tap-on when entering the station platform (using one of the station's validators), and tap-off when arriving at the destination stop, in order to deduct the correct fare.20 Physical Pronto cards can be purchased at vending machines at NCTD stations or at customer service centers; electronic versions can be purchased through the website or through the mobile applications.21

Ridership

While pre-opening studies of the Sprinter line projected an average weekday ridership of 11,000, average weekday ridership in 2012 was 7,800,22 70% of the original projected daily ridership. For 2012, this corresponded to 2.4 million annual ridership. However, the average weekday ridership for Sprinter in the first quarter of 2013 was 8,500 according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Transit Ridership Report for Q1 2013,23 which is 77% of the original projected daily ridership for the system.

Rolling stock

The Sprinter service operates with Siemens Desiro-class diesel multiple units (DMUs), commonly used by main-line regional railways in Europe. In August 2006, twelve married pairs of Siemens VT642 Desiro DMUs were delivered to the Escondido Transit Center, undergoing acceptance testing in early 2007.

These trains are not FRA-compliant for mixed operations with freight trains, so freight service is restricted to non-passenger hours. Due to this limitation, some sources, including the American Public Transportation Association, classify the Sprinter as light rail, though it does not fit the conventional definition.

As of 2025, only five of the original vehicles remain in service, while the rest are used for parts due to ongoing issues with traction motors, rail trucks, and electronic components, as well as difficulties in sourcing replacements. Although the trains were designed for a 30-year lifespan, NCTD is considering replacing them at an estimated cost of over $350 million, with additional expenses likely for station modifications to accommodate new equipment.24

Future service plans

Future development plans for Sprinter are currently focused on increasing the frequency of the service to 20 minutes per train departure, from Sprinter's current 30-minute schedule.25 An increased schedule will require more double-tracking of the Sprinter rail line26 as currently only 9.6 miles (44%) of the Sprinter's rail line is double-tracked.27 The preferred alternative project for more double-tracking on the rail line involves increased double-tracking around Crouch St. station through College Blvd. station, and around Palomar College station through Nordahl Rd. station.28 It is projected that this project will require six years to reach completion.29

On December 23, 2022,30 NCTD received funding of 7 million dollars. The funding from Consolidated Appropriations Act was requested by Congressman Mike Levin. The SPRINTER Corridor Service Improvement Project will be completed in two phases. The first phase will modernize the signal and communications systems along the corridor to improve safety, enhance community connectivity, and reduce service disruptions. The funding is focused on increasing the frequency of trains to every 15 minutes from the 30 minute frequency that Sprinter currently runs on.

Additionally, NCTD would like to implement Sprinter Express train service that would stop at only the five stations (Oceanside Transit Center, El Camino Real, Vista Transit Center, San Marcos Civic Center, and Escondido Transit Center) with the greatest ridership along the route.31 The Express service would use freight tracks east of San Marcos Civic Center station to bypass the station and an eastern portion of the regular route in order to further reduce travel times between termini.32

Longer-term, SANDAG's 2050 Regional Transportation Plan projects one extension of Sprinter by 2050.33 The extension would be from Sprinter's current eastern terminus at the Escondido Transit Center, south (presumably along S Centre City Parkway) to the North County Mall/Del Lago Transit Center.3435 No other extensions of the Sprinter (e.g. to San Diego Zoo Safari Park, or to McClellan–Palomar Airport) are included in the plan.

Criticism

Sprinter has encountered some dissatisfaction in northern San Diego County. For example, business owners in Oceanside have attributed flooding in November 2007 and January 200836 to Sprinter, since its construction raised railroad beds and narrowed creeks. Some have also criticized the limited schedule.37 In response to the limited schedule, NCTD expanded Friday and Saturday Night service in 2011, the last trips leaving out of Escondido (Westbound) at 10:33pm and out of Oceanside (Eastbound) at 11:33pm.38

Incidents

Accidents

On March 11, 2008, a westbound Sprinter train struck a man who was lying on the tracks under a State Route 78 bridge in San Marcos. It was not immediately clear if the man was aware of the approach of the train. However, the man, who was covered by a sleeping bag at the time he was struck, spoke of suicide while in the emergency room.39

On March 23, 2012, a man was struck by a westbound Sprinter train at the West Mission Road and North Pacific Street crossing. The victim's death was ruled a suicide by the San Diego County medical examiner's office. The operator of the train applied the brakes and sounded the horn, but was unable to avoid the collision. The victim died at the scene.40

On March 4th, 2025, a westbound Sprinter train heading to Oceanside collided with a pickup truck at the Enterprise Street grade crossing just after heading out of Escondido Transit Center. One person inside the truck was killed.41

Service suspension (2013)

On February 28, 2013, the California Public Utilities Commission conducted an inspection of Sprinter vehicles. During that inspection, the CPUC discovered accelerated patterns of wear on the central axle brakes of all 12 vehicles. As a result, on March 8, 2013, NCTD suspended service on the entire line. NCTD established bus replacement service for the duration of Sprinter service interruption which lasted 70 days.42 Sprinter resumed regular service on May 18, 2013, with the last day of the supplemental express bus service on May 24.43

See also

  • Railways portal

32. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/communities/north-county/oceanside/story/2022-01-23/north-county-bus-train-ridership-slashed-by-pandemic-report-shows

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References

  1. "Sprinter Stations – NCTD". North County Transit District. Archived from the original on March 19, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190319225102/http://www.gonctd.com/sprinter-stations/ ↩

  2. "SPRINTER – NCTD". North County Transit District. Retrieved September 8, 2013. http://www.gonctd.com/sprinter/ ↩

  3. Cotey, Angela (January 2008). "San Diego's North County Transit District launches SPRINTER light-rail service". Progressive Railroading. Retrieved October 25, 2014. http://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/article/Full-speed-ahead-for-San-Diegos-SPRINTER--14634 ↩

  4. "Transnet Tax for Congestion Relief". Thumper.tmisnet.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2009. Retrieved April 26, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20091203132559/http://thumper.tmisnet.com/~strads/transnet/transnet.html ↩

  5. "San Diego At a Glance – Annual Fiscal Year 2005 Budget" (PDF). City of San Diego. 2005. Retrieved July 28, 2013. http://www.sandiego.gov/fm/annual/pdf/fy05/06v1glance.pdf ↩

  6. Cotey, Angela (January 2008). "San Diego's North County Transit District launches SPRINTER light-rail service". Progressive Railroading. Retrieved October 25, 2014. http://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/article/Full-speed-ahead-for-San-Diegos-SPRINTER--14634 ↩

  7. Burge, Michael (December 29, 2007). "Oceanside-to-Escondido VIP ride goes smoothly". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on May 25, 2008. Retrieved April 26, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20080525103258/http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20071229-9999-1mi29sprint.html ↩

  8. "Sprinter Inauguration – December 28, 2007". Rail Passenger Association of California & Nevada (RailPAC). January 2, 2008. Retrieved July 28, 2013. http://www.railpac.org/2008/01/02/sprinter-inauguration-december-28-2007/ ↩

  9. Burge, Michael (January 18, 2008). "Sprinter could start on Jan 27". U-T San Diego. Retrieved March 10, 2008. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20080118-9999-1mc18nctd.html ↩

  10. Burge, Michael (January 25, 2008). "Sprinter won't ride the rails until March 9". U-T San Diego. Retrieved March 10, 2008. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20080125-1903-bn25sprint.html ↩

  11. "SPRINTER Fact Sheet" (PDF). North County Transit District. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 13, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180913115938/http://www.gonctd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/SPRINTER-Fact-Sheet-2018.pdf ↩

  12. Nichols, Chris (December 12, 2009). "REGION: Sprinter wins 'Project of Year' award". North County Times. Archived from the original on April 19, 2010. Retrieved April 26, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20100419103447/http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/sdcounty/article_0755e088-1717-5314-a144-899490be488c.html ↩

  13. Nichols, Chris (December 12, 2009). "REGION: Sprinter wins 'Project of Year' award". North County Times. Archived from the original on April 19, 2010. Retrieved April 26, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20100419103447/http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/sdcounty/article_0755e088-1717-5314-a144-899490be488c.html ↩

  14. "SPRINTER – NCTD". North County Transit District. Retrieved September 8, 2013. http://www.gonctd.com/sprinter/ ↩

  15. "SPRINTER Schedule". North County Transit District. June 24, 2012. Archived from the original on September 13, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130913115513/http://www.gonctd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SPRINTER-Time-Schedule_lores0612.gif ↩

  16. "SPRINTER – NCTD". North County Transit District. Retrieved September 8, 2013. http://www.gonctd.com/sprinter/ ↩

  17. "Sprinter Stations – NCTD". North County Transit District. Archived from the original on March 19, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190319225102/http://www.gonctd.com/sprinter-stations/ ↩

  18. "Sprinter Fares And Passes – NCTD". North County Transit District. Retrieved October 4, 2013. http://www.gonctd.com/sprinter-fares-and-passes/ ↩

  19. "Public Meeting For Proposed Fare Changes" (PDF). San Diego Metropolitan Transit System Information. San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. Retrieved April 2, 2021. https://www.sdmts.com/sites/default/files/fare_change_public_meetings.pdf ↩

  20. "Goodbye Compass – Hello PRONTO!". San Diego Metropolitan Transit System Information. San Diego Metropolitan Transit System. March 3, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021. https://www.sdmts.com/inside-mts-current-projects/pronto-fare-system ↩

  21. "Frequently Asked Questions – PRONTO". Ride PRONTO. PRONTO. Retrieved September 5, 2021. https://www.ridepronto.com/help/ ↩

  22. "SPRINTER Fact Sheet" (PDF). North County Transit District. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 13, 2018. Retrieved December 9, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180913115938/http://www.gonctd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/SPRINTER-Fact-Sheet-2018.pdf ↩

  23. "Transit Ridership Report – First Quarter 2013" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association (APTA). May 24, 2013. pp. 3–4. Retrieved August 6, 2013. http://www.apta.com/resources/statistics/Documents/Ridership/2013-q1-ridership-APTA.pdf ↩

  24. Diehl, Phil (March 2, 2025). "NCTD needs to replace Sprinter train fleet early. Where will it get $351 million?". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved March 2, 2025. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/03/02/nctd-needs-to-replace-sprinter-train-fleet-early-where-will-it-get-351-million/ ↩

  25. "The Time Is NOW – Making the Transportation System Better: SPRINTER Improvements" (PDF). North County Transit District. Retrieved August 15, 2013.[dead link] http://www.gonctd.com/userfiles/file/6%20-%20SPRINTER%20-%20final%20JRF.pdf ↩

  26. "The Time Is NOW – Making the Transportation System Better: SPRINTER Improvements" (PDF). North County Transit District. Retrieved August 15, 2013.[dead link] http://www.gonctd.com/userfiles/file/6%20-%20SPRINTER%20-%20final%20JRF.pdf ↩

  27. "The Time Is NOW – Making the Transportation System Better: SPRINTER Improvements" (PDF). North County Transit District. Retrieved August 15, 2013.[dead link] http://www.gonctd.com/userfiles/file/6%20-%20SPRINTER%20-%20final%20JRF.pdf ↩

  28. "The Time Is NOW – Making the Transportation System Better: SPRINTER Improvements" (PDF). North County Transit District. Retrieved August 15, 2013.[dead link] http://www.gonctd.com/userfiles/file/6%20-%20SPRINTER%20-%20final%20JRF.pdf ↩

  29. "The Time Is NOW – Making the Transportation System Better: SPRINTER Improvements" (PDF). North County Transit District. Retrieved August 15, 2013.[dead link] http://www.gonctd.com/userfiles/file/6%20-%20SPRINTER%20-%20final%20JRF.pdf ↩

  30. Galvan, Layda (December 23, 2022). "NCTD Awarded Funding for SPRINTER Improvements". North County Transit District. Retrieved March 31, 2023. https://gonctd.com/nctd-awarded-funding-for-sprinter-improvements/ ↩

  31. "The Time Is NOW – Making the Transportation System Better: SPRINTER Improvements" (PDF). North County Transit District. Retrieved August 15, 2013.[dead link] http://www.gonctd.com/userfiles/file/6%20-%20SPRINTER%20-%20final%20JRF.pdf ↩

  32. "The Time Is NOW – Making the Transportation System Better: SPRINTER Improvements" (PDF). North County Transit District. Retrieved August 15, 2013.[dead link] http://www.gonctd.com/userfiles/file/6%20-%20SPRINTER%20-%20final%20JRF.pdf ↩

  33. "2050 Regional Transportation Plan – Chapter 6 – Systems Development: Offering More Travel Choices" (PDF). SANDAG. October 28, 2011. pp. 6–15. Retrieved August 15, 2013. http://www.sandag.org/uploads/2050RTP/F2050rtp6.pdf ↩

  34. "The Time Is NOW – Making the Transportation System Better: SPRINTER Improvements" (PDF). North County Transit District. Retrieved August 15, 2013.[dead link] http://www.gonctd.com/userfiles/file/6%20-%20SPRINTER%20-%20final%20JRF.pdf ↩

  35. "2050 Regional Transportation Plan – Chapter 6 – Systems Development: Offering More Travel Choices" (PDF). SANDAG. October 28, 2011. pp. 6–15. Retrieved August 15, 2013. http://www.sandag.org/uploads/2050RTP/F2050rtp6.pdf ↩

  36. Sherman, Lola (January 9, 2008). "Businesses flooded along Sprinter rail line". U-T San Diego. Retrieved March 10, 2008. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20080109-9999-1m9flood.html ↩

  37. Kovrig, Neill (January 15, 2008). "Sprinter already a disappointment". North County Times. Retrieved March 10, 2008. http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/01/16/opinion/commentary/21_30_191_15_08.txt ↩

  38. "SPRINTER Schedule". North County Transit District. June 24, 2012. Archived from the original on September 13, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130913115513/http://www.gonctd.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/SPRINTER-Time-Schedule_lores0612.gif ↩

  39. Burge, Michael (March 12, 2008). "New Sprinter train hits man lying on tracks; legs severed". U-T San Diego. Retrieved April 9, 2008. http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20080312-9999-1m12sprint.html ↩

  40. Morris, Nick (March 23, 2012). "SAN MARCOS: Pedestrian struck, killed by Sprinter train". North County Times. Archived from the original on March 28, 2012. Retrieved March 24, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120328050159/http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/san-marcos/san-marcos-man-killed-by-train-identified/article_06c1e3c3-abd1-5467-b3de-2de914744c27.html ↩

  41. Ashcraft, Anna (March 4, 2025). "One dead after vehicle collides with train in Escondido: police". Fox 5 San Diego. https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/vehicle-hit-by-train-in-escondido/ ↩

  42. "SPRINTER Service Interruption FAQ". North County Transit District. March 9, 2013. Archived from the original on March 12, 2013. Retrieved March 10, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130312050917/http://www.gonctd.com/Sprinter_FAQ ↩

  43. "SPRINTER Returns to Service". North County Transit District. May 16, 2013. Archived from the original on October 26, 2014. Retrieved October 25, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141026032749/http://www.gonctd.com/news/sprinter-returns-to-service ↩