NCTD proposes alcohol on special event trains

By Encinitas Wave staff · November 2, 2026 · 1 min read

Empty passenger rail car interior with rows of dark blue seats and overhead lighting. — The interior of an NCTD COASTER Bombardier rail car. The North County Transit District is exploring whether to allow alcoholic beverages and light snacks aboard special event trains on lines including the COASTER, which serves Encinitas. Wikimedia-Mds08011 (CC BY 4.0) via Wikimedia Commons

The North County Transit District proposed changing its rules to allow alcoholic beverages and light snacks on special event trains, according to a post on X describing the Oct. 22 board meeting.

The proposal would modify Ordinance No. 3, the transit agency's operating ordinance. If approved, the change would let NCTD explore special event trains that incorporate alcoholic beverages and light snacks across its transit modes, including the COASTER commuter rail line that runs through Encinitas.

The North County Transit District (NCTD) operates the COASTER, SPRINTER, BREEZE and FLEX services in the North San Diego County region. Encinitas has two COASTER stations along the coastal rail corridor.

No vote on the modification has been reported. The proposal remains in an exploratory stage.

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Angela Yamamoto

Editor

Angela Yamamoto is an editor with a broadcast journalism background, and is passionate about stories that inform and connect. She started as a TV producer, anchor, and reporter at NBC16 in her hometown of Eugene, Oregon, covering breaking news and community features. A stint producing national news in New York City made her realize she missed community-focused storytelling, bringing her back to her roots.