It takes about 15 minutes to drive a car from Marina to Monterey. But it takes twice that long to travel the same route by bus—and that’s not counting a wait of up to another 30 minutes to catch the next bus.

Imagine, however, being able to walk into a light rail station in Marina and hop onto a comfortable train, sipping coffee and reading the paper as the train zips to Monterey in about 15 minutes.

This isn’t a new idea. Utilizing an existing rail right-of-way that stretches from Monterey to Marina and up to Castroville for a new rapid transit line has been under consideration for years.

What makes things different now is that the rail committee charged with laying out a plan for the right-of-way’s use has come to a consensus on moving forward with a transportation project. That, in turn, could lead to a final decision on a transportation plan by as early as next year.

Currently, the rail committee is organized under the Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) and includes representatives from the County Board of Supervisors and members of city councils from Monterey, Marina, Seaside, Sand City and Salinas.

The committee is exploring two major transportation projects. The first is a proposed extension of Caltrain commuter service that would run from Salinas to Gilroy. This plan, estimated to cost about $75 million, would allow commuters in Salinas to travel to San Jose and as far as San Francisco via rail. An environmental report for this project will be unveiled in February; construction could begin by the end of the decade.

The second big transportation project, estimated to cost anywhere between $75 million to $230 million, would utilize a right-of-way running from Monterey to Castroville for a light rail or some sort of rapid bus transport line.

The right-of-way has been unused since the 1980s and parts of it are lined with old railroad tracks, while other sections have been turned into a coastal bike trail. In late 2003, TAMC bought 13 miles of the right-of-way for $9.3 million, while other sections of it are already owned by local cities.

Three years ago, however, city councils in Marina and Monterey weren’t ready to lend their approval to a transport line running down the right-of-way. In Marina, particularly, where the corridor cuts through the center of town, opposition on the City Council was fierce.

But now that’s changed. Gary Wilmot, Marina councilmember and a rail policy committee member, says the City Council recently voted to approve either a light rail or rapid bus transit line on the right-of-way.

“A project like this would get people using public transit more often,” Wilmot says. “It doesn’t only help Marina, but all the jurisdictions on the Central Coast, from Castroville to Monterey.”

Seaside Mayor Ralph Rubio says that both of TAMC’s rail projects should be high priorities for a number of reasons.

“This would be a great way for tourists to come to Monterey, and for people in Monterey County to get to San Francisco,” Rubio says. “My feeling is this is something people want. And monies are now becoming available.”

Under an agreement with TAMC, no permanent structures can be built along the entire length of the right-of-way from Monterey to Castroville to leave room for a transportation line. So a drainage pipe built behind the parking lot of the Starbucks in Seaside would be removed if and when a decision is made to build a transport system on the corridor, Rubio says.

Karen Clysdale, TAMC rail policy committee contact, says that the two rail projects being worked on are key components of TAMC’s 14-year transportation improvement plan.

“A lot of projects funded in the 14-year plan are for road and safety improvements on existing infrastructure,” Clysdale says. “So the rail projects, which would create new infrastructure, are definitely a priority to help deal with the increased traffic that’s expected in the county.”

County Supervisor Dave Potter, who chairs the rail committee, is optimistic that decisions will be reached next year for both of TAMC’s projects.

“The Monterey branch line is a little more complex,” Potter says. “But I’m really excited to see a consensus for that corridor. That, plus the fact that we already purchased part of the right-of-way, are very good indicators that things are moving forward.”