Update 09-17-26

The Fresno Council of Governments’ Regional Rail Feasibility Study is advancing its evaluation of a potential zero-emission passenger rail system connecting communities across Fresno County with downtown Fresno and the future high-speed rail station.

Following its most recent working group meeting, which occurred just a few weeks ago on August 26th, the study team has identified a preliminary service concept for further analysis. The concept would provide hourly service between Kerman and Dinuba, along with service every 90 minutes between Fresno and Kingsburg. Potential travel times include approximately 20 minutes from Kerman to Fresno and 43 minutes from Fresno to Dinuba. Station locations and other service details remain preliminary and may change as the study progresses.

A phased approach is also under consideration. Initial service could connect Fresno and Dinuba, followed by a Fresno–Kingsburg shuttle and later extensions west to Kerman and Firebaugh. The team continues to evaluate battery-electric, hydrogen-powered, and overhead-electric trains. Early estimates indicate that battery and hydrogen options would have similar capital costs, while continuous overhead electrification would cost substantially more. All current figures are planning-level estimates and will require further refinement.

Preliminary environmental reviews have identified topics for future study, including sensitive wildlife and plants, historic and Tribal cultural resources, construction noise, and air quality near schools and other community facilities. At this stage, the analysis anticipates minimal permanent noise increases, while zero-emission trains could substantially reduce operating emissions.

The feasibility study is expected to conclude this winter. Its findings will help determine whether regional rail should move forward into more detailed planning, environmental review, design, funding, and community engagement. For access to past working group slides, please visit the "Resources" tab of the website. Please subscribe for future updates!

What's happening?

Fresno County leaders are conducting a study to see if it is possible - environmentally, economically, and socially - to develop a zero-emission regional rail system connecting rural and urban areas across Fresno County. This rail would primarily connect the communities of Fresno, Firebaugh, Kerman, Mendota, Reedley, San Joaquin, Fowler, Selma, Kingsburg, Sanger, and Dinuba (in Tulare County).

Zero-emission rail systems offer several key benefits: they provide faster and quieter service than traditional trains, produce no harmful emissions, and have the ability to utilize pre-existing train tracks, minimizing environmental disruption as the system is established.

Within Fresno County specifically, implementing this type of transit system has the potential to dramatically reduce air pollution in the Valley, connect more communities to the high-speed rail hub being developed in downtown Fresno, and increase accessibility to popular county attractions such as the Fresno County Fairgrounds and Chaffee Zoo at Roeding Park.

This study is driven by the Fresno Council of Governments (Fresno COG) and funded by Caltrans via a sustainable transportation grant. 

What would a regional rail in Fresno County look like?

A regional rail would be a route connecting all of the smaller towns in Fresno County - including Firebaugh, Kerman, Mendota, Reedley, San Joaquin, Fowler, Selma, Kingsburg, Sanger, and Dinuba* - to one another, as well as the city of Fresno itself. Imagine Amtrak, but focused entirely within Fresno County.

While part of this study involves determining where the best options for placing stations will be, ideally, at least one station will be located in each of the towns mentioned above, in easy-to-access locations for future commuters.

In accordance with air quality goals held by the city of Fresno and the broader San Joaquin Valley area, this regional railroad will be zero-emission. What does this mean? This rail will rely solely on clean energy to function. Currently, a few options are being explored in the study to achieve this goal, such as: hydrogen power, battery power, electricity, or a hybrid combination of these energy sources.

How does this impact me?

If you live, work, or play in the county of Fresno, then this study is important for you! When you are deciding how to get from one town to another, or to and from the city of Fresno every day, the regional rail will provide another option for you. We hope to learn how to make it the BEST option for you! Please join the mailing list to stay up-to-date with study progress, and check out the "get engaged" tab to tell us what would make this railroad work for you.