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On March 9, the North County Transit District (NCTD) expects to launch service on the SPRINTER light-rail line, almost two months after its previously scheduled Jan. 13 opening. The opening is pending approval by the California Public Utilities Commission.

The opening was postponed because NCTD officials underestimated the time it would take to complete all regulatory safety inspections and compliance approvals, the agency said in January. For example, diesel multiple unit trains — which NCTD will use for the SPRINTER service — have never been operated in California before, so state and federal regulatory agencies increased scrutiny during inspections, NCTD said.

The 22-mile, $484.2 million line includes 15 stations and will serve the cities of Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos and Escondido, Calif.