RTC Statement on Grand Jury Report on Santa CruzBranch Rail Line

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) appreciates the Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury’s review of the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line and thanks the members of the Grand Jury for the significant time and effort they invested in examining this complex issue.

“The report reflects the complexity of planning and delivering transportation infrastructure in one of our area’s most geographically constrained transportation corridors,” said RTC Chair Eduardo Montesino. “We appreciate the thoughtful review and the constructive recommendations offered, and we look forward to building on them as we continue improving how this agency serves our region.”

Many of the report’s observations affirm the direction the RTC has already been heading. In recent years, the agency has evolved from primarily a planning organization into one that both plans and delivers major transportation projects. Through a recent organizational restructuring, the RTC established a dedicated Capital Projects Department, expanded its project delivery staff, and added a Real Property team to strengthen management of the rail corridor and other transportation assets. These investments are helping the agency deliver projects more efficiently, ground decisions in sound engineering analysis, and take a more proactive approach to managing and maintaining its infrastructure.

“This report recognizes how much the RTC has evolved in recent years,” said RTC Executive Director Sarah Christensen. “We’ve made significant investments in strengthening our project delivery and property management expertise. These improvements have strengthened our ability to ground decisions in sound technical analysis, deliver complex projects, and responsibly manage our assets. We see the Grand Jury’s recommendations as a constructive roadmap, and we’re committed to continuing to build on the progress we’ve already made.”

Sound transportation planning helps agencies evaluate options carefully before significant public investments are made. As our understanding of the rail corridor has deepened through more detailed technical analysis, the Commission has been able to ground its decisions in increasingly reliable information, and that commitment to data-driven decision-making will continue to guide future transportation investments across the region.

“One of the most important outcomes of the recently completed Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail (ZEPRT) Project Concept Report was that it gave the community and the Commission far more advanced analysis of rail and trail improvements,” said Montesino. “That information allows us to make better-informed decisions about the future of the corridor. Passenger rail remains a long-term vision, and we’ve always recognized it as a long-term endeavor. As opportunities arise, we will continue pursuing funding to advance the project, so that future decisions rest on sound engineering and fiscal realities.”

The Commission is committed to carefully reviewing the Grand Jury’s report and thoughtfully considering its findings and recommendations. We plan to respond within 90 days in accordance with state law. We see this report as valuable input that will help guide our continued progress in how we plan, deliver, and manage transportation projects and assets for Santa Cruz County.

Looking ahead, the RTC remains committed to transparency, fiscal responsibility, and sound asset management, and to making transportation decisions grounded in the best available data, delivering practical, feasible solutions that improve safety, mobility, and quality of life for our region.