The Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) has unanimously approved principles of agreement with the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority to establish a rail service extension south from Santa Clara County by 2017. The Joint Powers Authority oversees the 170-mile, eight-county Capitol Corridor, operated by Amtrak, which serves Sacramento, Oakland (San Francisco), and San Jose.

TAMC's plans call for a $135.7 million project to extend rail service from Santa Clara County south to new stations in Watsonville, Pajaro, and Castroville, terminating in Salinas. TAMC has secured $45 million in state, local, and federal funding, and is seeking $75 million more in federal Small Starts funding.

According to a TAMC staff report, service would start with two daily round trips, and expand to up to six trips per day as demand grows.