The new commuter train that will be rolling from Ventura County to Goleta and back starting April 2nd has many prospective takers.
In a meeting with large employers Tuesday morning, Gregg Hart with the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments said about 1,000 drivers have indicated they want to leave their cars behind to ride the rails.
For the first month, the trip will be free.
The train line has been years in the planning as a relief for ongoing traffic congestion on Highway 101, where an estimated 15,000 vehicles are using that route daily for work.
The timing has been tricky, with other services already scheduled by Amtrak and Union Pacific.
For those using the train, which starts in Simi Valley, pick ups include Oxnard and Ventura along with stops in Santa Barbara and Goleta.
They'll start rolling in the 5 o'clock hour, and free ground transport will be offered in Santa Barbara and Goleta with stops near city and county offices along with Cottage Hospital and the high-tech corridor on Hollister Avenue.
