LOS ANGELES – Today, Metrolink announced that on Monday, April 4 riders will see the most significant service restoration since the beginning of the pandemic with the restoration of 24 of the most in-demand trains and the addition of two new trains. The service update also makes four Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains available to all Metrolink ticketholders, which adds Saturday and Sunday service on the Ventura County Line.
“As Metrolink CEO, I’m elated that we’re able to restore our service close to pre-pandemic levels, so our riders can get to work, to friends and family and to fun – more affordably and without the headaches of traffic and parking,” said Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle. “As a Metrolink rider, I am happy that my two favorite Ventura County Line trains are coming back into service, so I can have more flexibility to get to and from work. And I know from my conversations with fellow Metrolink riders, they too are looking forward to the flexibility our new schedule will bring to their lives.”
On March 24, 2020 Metrolink reduced its schedule by approximately 30 percent following a 90% drop in ridership at the outset of the pandemic and associated stay-at-home orders. Metrolink surveys fielded in April 2020 and February 2021 found that approximately three-fourths of those continuing to ride Metrolink were essential workers. As more office workers return to their workplaces after telecommuting for two years, and with gas prices at record highs across southern California, Metrolink has recently recorded significant ridership growth in its weekday and weekend ridership. Metrolink is at approximately 30% of its weekday ridership compared to pre-pandemic levels. Following the additional service on April 4, the agency anticipates that percentage will grow to about 44% by midsummer. On the weekends, Metrolink has already recovered nearly 70% of its pre-pandemic ridership.
Key schedule highlights include:
- 91/Perris Valley Line: Two added trains with midday service to Los Angeles and a reverse morning trip to Riverside County.
- Antelope Valley Line: Six added trains and schedule updates offering increased flexibility for weekday travel.
- Orange County Line: Two added trains offering more weekday morning service.
- Riverside Line: Four added trains offering increased flexibility for weekday travel.
- San Bernardino Line: Six added trains including later evening trains, plus new Sunday service.
- Ventura County Line: Six added Metrolink trains including weekday morning and evening trains, plus four Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains that are now available to all Metrolink ticket holders – including on Saturday and Sundays.
An overview of the full schedule can be found here: schedule update.
“Metrolink is the backbone of public transportation in southern California as it literally links people from their homes to their workplaces and other destinations – from the Inland Empire to Oceanside or Ventura, throughout the Antelope, San Fernando and Perris valleys and into Los Angeles,” said Metrolink Board Chair Ara Najarian. “With soaring gas prices and excessive traffic congestion, it was important that we bring back more service now as people are returning to the office and traveling for leisure and more.”
Metrolink is an affordable option with ticket prices ranging from $0.50 to $26.50 – depending on distance traveled – while the average fare for a one-way trip is $6.60. Discounts are available for youth, students (including college students), seniors, persons with disabilities and active military. Kids ages five and under always ride free with a paying adult, while on the weekends, kids 17 and under ride free with a paying adult.
Metrolink provides a variety of ticket and pass options to offer riders more flexibility. One-way and round-trip tickets are good for infrequent riders. The 5-Day Flex Pass provides five round-trip tickets – at a 10% discount – that are good for 30 days, perfect for those telecommuting part time. And the Monthly Pass provides unlimited use between the rider’s selected station pairs, ideal for those who ride the train more frequently. The Monthly Pass offers a 38% discount off round-trip tickets and provides added perks including unlimited weekend access, as well as access to all Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains with some limitations. On the weekends and on holidays, people can ride everywhere Metrolink travels for a flat $10 each day.
Metrolink’s full list of fare options can be viewed at metrolinktrains.com/tickets.
Metrolink trains are cleaned multiple times daily and an electrostatic sprayer is used to mist hospital-grade disinfectants throughout all trains. Touch point cleaning on seats, arm and headrests, rails, grab bars, tables, trash cans and restrooms takes place throughout the day. Each train car is equipped with two hand sanitizer stations – one by each door.
Face coverings are required by Federal law on public transportation, which includes Metrolink stations, platforms, and trains.
About Metrolink (metrolinktrains.com)
Metrolink is southern California’s regional passenger rail service providing reliable, safe, affordable and environmentally sustainable transportation that connects people, communities and businesses to greater opportunity. The Agency’s 538 miles of track and 62 stations across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties serve as an essential link in the region’s mobility network, enabling people to connect to their jobs and explore all that the region has to offer. Prior to the pandemic, Metrolink had nearly 12 million annual boardings from people who choose to ride the train to avoid gridlock, removing an estimated 9.3 million vehicles from the roads and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 130,000 metric tons each year with its fleet of Tier 4 locomotives.
Source: Metrolink
Rod Washington Writer, filmmaker, model railroader, dreamer, posting videos and articles about trains. Also, posting railfanning videos and updates about his own model railroad layout via his webpage, the rail project (coming soon).
