What happens if the Pacific Surfliner "sells out"?

[BCL]

Was thinking about it since it's an "unreserved" train save some holidays, and it's theoretically possible to use a ticket on an earlier or later train, although that may be limited by any specific fare discounts that might limit it to specific times. I'm planning on a trip using AGR points where I'm thinking of just taking a later train.

Even though it's a later train, I suppose they can "sell out" even though there might be monthly or multi-ride ticket holders, as well as people who just show up for a different train that "reserved". Do they just allow them and people end up packing into the cafe car? Standing room?

 

[zephyr17]

Was thinking about it since it's an "unreserved" train save some holidays, and it's theoretically possible to use a ticket on an earlier or later train, although that may be limited by any specific fare discounts that might limit it to specific times. I'm planning on a trip using AGR points where I'm thinking of just taking a later train.

Even though it's a later train, I suppose they can "sell out" even though there might be monthly or multi-ride ticket holders, as well as people who just show up for a different train that "reserved". Do they just allow them and people end up packing into the cafe car? Standing room?

They stand.

 

[Cal]

I personally have never seen someone standing, however I have seen it become VERY close.

 

[Eric in East County]

At least with the Pacific Surfliners, they run about every 60-90 minutes all through the day, so if one is sold out, you can always wait for the next one. (The Pacific Surfliners are particularly crowded while the Thoroughbred Racing Season is going on at the Del Mar track beginning around Mid-July.)

Last year, we missed our Pacific Surfliner Business Class connection because our SWC No. 3 train was running late. However, we were able to use our B.C. ticket on a later Surfliner and even got to ride in B.C.

 

[zephyr17]

I personally have never seen someone standing, however I have seen it become VERY close.

While it was back in the San Diegan days, I was stuck with standing on the morning train connecting with the Starlight boarding in Anaheim.

 

[Bob Dylan]

While it was back in the San Diegan days, I was stuck with standing on the morning train connecting with the Starlight boarding in Anaheim.

I've been on a few Surfliners that were Sardine Cans during Racing Season @ Del Mar!

 

[glensfallsse]

About 5 years ago when I was out west I was on a Pacific Surfliner that had standing room, and quite a bit of it. It was the last train southbound from L.A. on a Friday or Saturday night. It was the one train set that used Viewliners. After a few stops there were enough seats for everyone.

I remember (stupidly) waiting until just before leaving to buy the ticket. So maybe the reservation system isn’t keeping track of how many are on the train??

 

[Scuba_Steve]

They don't sell out. They'll just sardine pack it if they need to. I have been on a few Surfliners that were standing room only. Even with added cars. I'm talking people sitting on the stairs and in the bathrooms. Aisles packed like NY subways. Conductors don't even check tickets at that point because they can't navigate through the train. It's always nice to see so many people taking the train in California, but it's honestly very unsafe when it gets to that point. They need to do a better job of adding capacity when heavy ridership is anticipated. I found quite a few examples on Twitter:

• https://twitter.com/kayla_pence/status/493570497494274050
• https://twitter.com/GDIBoogie/status/1146504182775463936
• https://twitter.com/WaterandScience/status/620453049400594433
• https://twitter.com/Ike_spinosa/status/1229528438366777345
• https://twitter.com/RenHanami/status/625474995771170816

 

[joelkfla]

They don't sell out. They'll just sardine pack it if they need to. I have been on a few Surfliners that were standing room only. Even with added cars. I'm talking people sitting on the stairs and in the bathrooms. Aisles packed like NY subways. Conductors don't even check tickets at that point because they can't navigate through the train. It's always nice to see so many people taking the train in California, but it's honestly very unsafe when it gets to that point. They need to do a better job of adding capacity when heavy ridership is anticipated. I found quite a few examples on Twitter:

• https://twitter.com/kayla_pence/status/493570497494274050
• https://twitter.com/GDIBoogie/status/1146504182775463936
• https://twitter.com/WaterandScience/status/620453049400594433
• https://twitter.com/Ike_spinosa/status/1229528438366777345
• https://twitter.com/RenHanami/status/625474995771170816

I hope they don't hit a dump truck on a grade crossing.

 

[Eric in East County]

They don't sell out. They'll just sardine pack it if they need to. I have been on a few Surfliners that were standing room only. Even with added cars. I'm talking people sitting on the stairs and in the bathrooms. Aisles packed like NY subways. Conductors don't even check tickets at that point because they can't navigate through the train. It's always nice to see so many people taking the train in California, but it's honestly very unsafe when it gets to that point. They need to do a better job of adding capacity when heavy ridership is anticipated. I found quite a few examples on Twitter:

• https://twitter.com/kayla_pence/status/493570497494274050
• https://twitter.com/GDIBoogie/status/1146504182775463936
• https://twitter.com/WaterandScience/status/620453049400594433
• https://twitter.com/Ike_spinosa/status/1229528438366777345
• https://twitter.com/RenHanami/status/625474995771170816

So where do all these standees put their carry-on items and suitcases?

 

[Eric in East County]

Once outside San Diego, the Pacific Surfliner has a minimum number of grade crossings before it reaches Los Angeles. However, it is a high-speed train, particularly north of Del Mar. On occasion, it has been involved in “trespasser incidents” involving people trying to cross the tracks. (Such incidents usually don’t turn out well for the trespassers!) If it becomes necessary for the engineer to make an emergency stop at 90 mph with a train packed full of standing passengers, what do you suppose the outcome would be?

I hope they don't hit a dump truck on a grade crossing.

 

[BCL]

So where do all these standees put their carry-on items and suitcases?

A lot of people don't bring on luggage, and the Pacific Surfliner is a rare unreserved train that has baggage service. There's almost always enough space in overhead bins/racks. I'm not sure what the Pacific Surfliner cars use. I've only been on California cars for Capitol Corridor and the San Joaquins. They've got California Cars that have open racks as well as bins that close like aircraft bins. Some might even have vertical storage bins. Some are really complicated, like one where they used stainless steel tubing to serve as shelves, but where they could be individually moved if needed for larger items.

I've seen standing room on commuter trains. Never really on any Amtrak or Amtrak California service though. And that's even with seat hogs, like one guy I saw hog an entire table for 4 by laying his stuff on the other seats.

 

[Stremba]

Was thinking about it since it's an "unreserved" train save some holidays, and it's theoretically possible to use a ticket on an earlier or later train, although that may be limited by any specific fare discounts that might limit it to specific times. I'm planning on a trip using AGR points where I'm thinking of just taking a later train.

Even though it's a later train, I suppose they can "sell out" even though there might be monthly or multi-ride ticket holders, as well as people who just show up for a different train that "reserved". Do they just allow them and people end up packing into the cafe car? Standing room?

I have never been on the Surfliner, but the Pennsylvanian and the Keystone between Harrisburg and Philadelphia are both unreserved trains. I have seen pax standing on both of these trains. I would assume similar for a full Surfliner

 

[BCL]

I have never been on the Surfliner, but the Pennsylvanian and the Keystone between Harrisburg and Philadelphia are both unreserved trains. I have seen pax standing on both of these trains. I would assume similar for a full Surfliner

The Pacific Surfliner has a cafe car though, so that takes up some overflow. I guess they only have limited room for bicycles (7 per train requiring reservations). The California Cars I've been on have ample bike space. When I took my folding bike they actually ran out of space and I just folded it and placed it between other bikes on the racks. I was thinking maybe people could stand where there are bike racks, but that's probably limited on the Surfliner.