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Palm Desert Rail Station Feasibility Study

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Project Overview

The Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor is a project proposed by the Riverside County Transportation Commission in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration and the California Department of Transportation. Its purpose is to build reliable rail service along a 144-mile corridor between Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley, with the eastern endpoint in either Indio or Coachella. In June 2022, after completing a Tier 1 EIS/EIR Study, a Record of Decision (ROD) was issued, moving the project forward.

RCTC has proposed a rail station in the Mid-Coachella Valley area. This project will identify and assess station options within Palm Desert and recommend a preferred location and station concept to RCTC.

Final Palm Desert Rail Feasibility Study

The Palm Desert Rail Feasibility Study was approved by the City Council on 4/25/2024. The Report was submitted to RCTC for their consideration. We will continue to update this project page as more information becomes available.

We want to hear from you about this project! Why do you think Palm Desert should have a rail station? How would you use the rail service?

Your input and feedback are essential to this project. Use the tools below to contribute your feedback. These tools will allow you to:

  • Post your ideas. This helps the project team be informed on what our community needs are. We want to hear your thoughts on a rail service, how you would use this service, and what station amenities you would like.
  • Send questions directly to the project team. Staff will respond within two business days.

Why Palm Desert?

Palm Desert is a destination for regional, national, and state travelers, lifestyle, and continued growth. Palm Desert’s outstanding quality of life offers residents and visitors of all ages a wide array of recreational, educational, shopping, housing, and entertainment opportunities, as well as arts and cultural activities and world-class events in a uniquely beautiful desert environment.

A Palm Desert rail station would serve local travelers going to the San Bernardino, Riverside, and Los Angeles regions, as well as those coming into the Coachella Valley. It would also serve local residents, students attending the expanding CSU SB Palm Desert Campus, tourists visiting local hotels, businesses, and Acrisure Arena, and residents of the greater Coachella Valley.

For more information on this project, please view this rail feasibility newsletter.

Station Selection Principles

The study will review potential station locations and select the most suitable location based on the following principles:

  • Community Serving: Equitable access for all communities: disadvantaged, local, regional populations, and visitors
  • Accessible: Selecting a location for the station with good site access, proximity to major streets, Palm Desert assets, and destinations
  • Intuitive Arrival: Ensure the facility has high visibility and a functional configuration
  • Connected: Create a multi-modal focused location: SunRide, SunLine, PD Link, micro-mobility, scooters, carts, walking and cycling
  • Supports Economic Development: Leverages partnerships for transit-oriented development that can complement the station
  • Future Flexibility: Consider land availability, facility size, and configuration, and the ability to expand amenities in the future

Station Connectivity

Connectivity is one of the most essential factors in choosing the best station location within Palm Desert. The station will act as a hub for regional transit needs, so it must keep first/last mile considerations at the forefront. Regardless of which location is chosen, local transit service can be reconfigured to connect to the station. Additionally, bike and pedestrian infrastructure and connectivity will be vital to foster non-driving trips. This may include a future bridge over Interstate 10 to connect with the Acrisure Arena.

How Will this Affect Me?

A Palm Desert station would not only make travel in and out of the region more reliable and easier but could serve as a destination of its own. A multi-modal transit center featuring connections to local transit, rideshare, bike facilities, and micro transit could be created, making travel within the city more accessible to locals and visitors alike. The station could also connect to things to do nearby, such as retail, restaurants, hospitality, services, and living space.

Community Meetings

The City held a public workshop about the project on Thursday, July 13th, 2023. The materials from that workshop can be viewed on the right side of this page. The City will hold one more public workshop this fall.

On Wednesday, November 15, the City of Palm Desert and our project consultant held a second community meeting to gather input on rail service in our city. A recording of the meeting and the presentation slide deck can be found below. If you weren't able to attend the meeting, we encourage you to use the tools on the bottom of this page to share your feedback. City staff continue to monitor this page and appreciate your thoughts.

Presentation:

Meeting Recording:


Project Overview

The Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor is a project proposed by the Riverside County Transportation Commission in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration and the California Department of Transportation. Its purpose is to build reliable rail service along a 144-mile corridor between Los Angeles and the Coachella Valley, with the eastern endpoint in either Indio or Coachella. In June 2022, after completing a Tier 1 EIS/EIR Study, a Record of Decision (ROD) was issued, moving the project forward.

RCTC has proposed a rail station in the Mid-Coachella Valley area. This project will identify and assess station options within Palm Desert and recommend a preferred location and station concept to RCTC.

Final Palm Desert Rail Feasibility Study

The Palm Desert Rail Feasibility Study was approved by the City Council on 4/25/2024. The Report was submitted to RCTC for their consideration. We will continue to update this project page as more information becomes available.

We want to hear from you about this project! Why do you think Palm Desert should have a rail station? How would you use the rail service?

Your input and feedback are essential to this project. Use the tools below to contribute your feedback. These tools will allow you to:

  • Post your ideas. This helps the project team be informed on what our community needs are. We want to hear your thoughts on a rail service, how you would use this service, and what station amenities you would like.
  • Send questions directly to the project team. Staff will respond within two business days.

Why Palm Desert?

Palm Desert is a destination for regional, national, and state travelers, lifestyle, and continued growth. Palm Desert’s outstanding quality of life offers residents and visitors of all ages a wide array of recreational, educational, shopping, housing, and entertainment opportunities, as well as arts and cultural activities and world-class events in a uniquely beautiful desert environment.

A Palm Desert rail station would serve local travelers going to the San Bernardino, Riverside, and Los Angeles regions, as well as those coming into the Coachella Valley. It would also serve local residents, students attending the expanding CSU SB Palm Desert Campus, tourists visiting local hotels, businesses, and Acrisure Arena, and residents of the greater Coachella Valley.

For more information on this project, please view this rail feasibility newsletter.

Station Selection Principles

The study will review potential station locations and select the most suitable location based on the following principles:

  • Community Serving: Equitable access for all communities: disadvantaged, local, regional populations, and visitors
  • Accessible: Selecting a location for the station with good site access, proximity to major streets, Palm Desert assets, and destinations
  • Intuitive Arrival: Ensure the facility has high visibility and a functional configuration
  • Connected: Create a multi-modal focused location: SunRide, SunLine, PD Link, micro-mobility, scooters, carts, walking and cycling
  • Supports Economic Development: Leverages partnerships for transit-oriented development that can complement the station
  • Future Flexibility: Consider land availability, facility size, and configuration, and the ability to expand amenities in the future

Station Connectivity

Connectivity is one of the most essential factors in choosing the best station location within Palm Desert. The station will act as a hub for regional transit needs, so it must keep first/last mile considerations at the forefront. Regardless of which location is chosen, local transit service can be reconfigured to connect to the station. Additionally, bike and pedestrian infrastructure and connectivity will be vital to foster non-driving trips. This may include a future bridge over Interstate 10 to connect with the Acrisure Arena.

How Will this Affect Me?

A Palm Desert station would not only make travel in and out of the region more reliable and easier but could serve as a destination of its own. A multi-modal transit center featuring connections to local transit, rideshare, bike facilities, and micro transit could be created, making travel within the city more accessible to locals and visitors alike. The station could also connect to things to do nearby, such as retail, restaurants, hospitality, services, and living space.

Community Meetings

The City held a public workshop about the project on Thursday, July 13th, 2023. The materials from that workshop can be viewed on the right side of this page. The City will hold one more public workshop this fall.

On Wednesday, November 15, the City of Palm Desert and our project consultant held a second community meeting to gather input on rail service in our city. A recording of the meeting and the presentation slide deck can be found below. If you weren't able to attend the meeting, we encourage you to use the tools on the bottom of this page to share your feedback. City staff continue to monitor this page and appreciate your thoughts.

Presentation:

Meeting Recording:


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  • Share I’m a train enthusiast and someone who films trains for my youtube channel. Some cities have built train view platforms with a radio scanner tied into speakers on ceiling above. Would you consider building one if the station goes through. Also would Amtrak stop here wnd would this be run by Metolink. Family has a weekend house we use here. If so i could go from San Diego to Palm Desert only using trains. on Facebook Share I’m a train enthusiast and someone who films trains for my youtube channel. Some cities have built train view platforms with a radio scanner tied into speakers on ceiling above. Would you consider building one if the station goes through. Also would Amtrak stop here wnd would this be run by Metolink. Family has a weekend house we use here. If so i could go from San Diego to Palm Desert only using trains. on Twitter Share I’m a train enthusiast and someone who films trains for my youtube channel. Some cities have built train view platforms with a radio scanner tied into speakers on ceiling above. Would you consider building one if the station goes through. Also would Amtrak stop here wnd would this be run by Metolink. Family has a weekend house we use here. If so i could go from San Diego to Palm Desert only using trains. on Linkedin Email I’m a train enthusiast and someone who films trains for my youtube channel. Some cities have built train view platforms with a radio scanner tied into speakers on ceiling above. Would you consider building one if the station goes through. Also would Amtrak stop here wnd would this be run by Metolink. Family has a weekend house we use here. If so i could go from San Diego to Palm Desert only using trains. link

    I’m a train enthusiast and someone who films trains for my youtube channel. Some cities have built train view platforms with a radio scanner tied into speakers on ceiling above. Would you consider building one if the station goes through. Also would Amtrak stop here wnd would this be run by Metolink. Family has a weekend house we use here. If so i could go from San Diego to Palm Desert only using trains.

    airport4444 asked about 1 year ago

    Hi Airport4444, 

    Thanks for your message on Engage Palm Desert regarding our Rail Feasibility Study. At this stage, the City is predominantly focused on being selected as the location for a 'Mid-Valley' station by the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC). Once that occurs, we will work with RCTC to design a station. We will happily consider a viewing platform, but we encourage you to follow up at a future date once the station design phase commences. 

    Regarding a service provider for train routes, RCTC has not confirmed if this will be part of Metrolink or a standalone operation. Amtrak has indicated that it looks to enhance services between Los Angeles and Tucson, specifically referencing more stops in the Coachella Valley. At this point, it's too early to determine if Amtrak will stop in Palm Desert. For more information, please see this Amtrak webpage: https://www.amtrak.com/plan-your-trip.html

    Best, 

    Ryland 

  • Share Both ways in and out of L.A. in one day? on Facebook Share Both ways in and out of L.A. in one day? on Twitter Share Both ways in and out of L.A. in one day? on Linkedin Email Both ways in and out of L.A. in one day? link

    Both ways in and out of L.A. in one day?

    virginia asked about 1 year ago

    Hi Virginia, 

    Yes, the train service would run several roundtrip trains between Los Angeles Union Station and the City of Coachella each day. The schedule hasn't been determined yet, but it would be possible for Palm Desert residents to travel in and out of Los Angeles on the same day. 

    Best, 

    Ryland Penta

  • Share I lived on Balboa Island in Newport Beach when a second terminal was built at John Wayne airport. Even though the planes were told ways to lower the noise, it was horrible. How would you protect people living in Palm Valley CC from the noise which is already bad? Or other areas? on Facebook Share I lived on Balboa Island in Newport Beach when a second terminal was built at John Wayne airport. Even though the planes were told ways to lower the noise, it was horrible. How would you protect people living in Palm Valley CC from the noise which is already bad? Or other areas? on Twitter Share I lived on Balboa Island in Newport Beach when a second terminal was built at John Wayne airport. Even though the planes were told ways to lower the noise, it was horrible. How would you protect people living in Palm Valley CC from the noise which is already bad? Or other areas? on Linkedin Email I lived on Balboa Island in Newport Beach when a second terminal was built at John Wayne airport. Even though the planes were told ways to lower the noise, it was horrible. How would you protect people living in Palm Valley CC from the noise which is already bad? Or other areas? link

    I lived on Balboa Island in Newport Beach when a second terminal was built at John Wayne airport. Even though the planes were told ways to lower the noise, it was horrible. How would you protect people living in Palm Valley CC from the noise which is already bad? Or other areas?

    Barbara asked about 1 year ago

    Dear Barbara,  

    Thank you for expressing your concern about the potential impact of the Riverside County Transportation Commission's (RCTC) proposed Coachella Valley Rail Project on the residents of Palm Valley Country Club and nearby communities. 

    At this stage of the project, RCTC is actively engaged in studying the potential noise and vibration caused by the proposed rail service. While the project is currently underway, it is too early to determine the specific actions that will be taken to address these concerns. 

    For your reference and to provide you with additional insights, RCTC has published a report on the topic. The report, titled Noise and Vibration Technical Memorandum, Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio Pass Rail Corridor Service Program. That report can be found here: https://railroads.fra.dot.gov/sites/fra.dot.gov/files/2021-05/Appendix%20F_CV%20Rail_Noise%20and%20Vibration%20Tech%20Memo.pdf 

    Thanks for using Engage Palm Desert and please let us know if you have further questions.  

    Best,  

    Ryland Penta 

  • Share How often would a train be coming into the station? Are there times of the day (night) when train service is halted? Will the trains use their horns coming into and out of the station? on Facebook Share How often would a train be coming into the station? Are there times of the day (night) when train service is halted? Will the trains use their horns coming into and out of the station? on Twitter Share How often would a train be coming into the station? Are there times of the day (night) when train service is halted? Will the trains use their horns coming into and out of the station? on Linkedin Email How often would a train be coming into the station? Are there times of the day (night) when train service is halted? Will the trains use their horns coming into and out of the station? link

    How often would a train be coming into the station? Are there times of the day (night) when train service is halted? Will the trains use their horns coming into and out of the station?

    Tracy asked about 1 year ago

    Hi Tracy, 

    The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) is planning for the Coachella Valley-San Gorgonio rail corridor to have two daily roundtrip passenger train services. These would run from Indio or Coachella to Los Angeles Union Station. The schedule for these routes has yet to be determined. However, it is anticipated that these services will best accommodate commuters.

    Regarding the use of horns, the Federal Railroad Administration provides regulations on when horns are used. In most cases, horns are required at public grade crossings. There are currently no public grade crossings in Palm Desert and we don't anticipate any to be added. 

    Thanks for your question, 

    Ryland Penta