Metrolink restores train service on 24 SoCal lines
With gas prices surging, many Angelenos turning to public transportation as an alternative received welcome news Monday that Metrolink has reinstated service on two-dozen lines, this after cutting back service during the height of the pandemic.
Metrolink reinstated service on 24 of the most in-demand lines Monday, and added two new trains.
The service update will also make four Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains available to all Metrolink ticketholders, adding Saturday and Sunday service on the Ventura County Line.
Rider Kathy Marsh of Anaheim told CBSLA she was thrilled about the additional service.
"It's excellent, because before there was a 48-minute or so gap between the two trains, so I would have to either get up really early, or arrive late at my office, so this is going to be perfectly right in the middle," Marsh said.
In March 2020, Metrolink slashed its schedule by about 30%, responding to a 90% drop in ridership as the COVID virus took hold and stay-at-home orders took effect. But with more workers returning to their workplaces, and with gas prices at record highs, the regional commuter service has seen sharp ridership growth on weekdays and weekends, according to the agency.
According to Metrolink, the service is at about 30% of its pre-pandemic weekday ridership. The upgrades are expected to increase that percentage to about 44% by midsummer, according to the agency. Metrolink officials said the weekend ridership is already at about 70% of its pre-pandemic levels.
"So over the last three or four months, we have seen an increase in ridership, that is what is driving this additional service," Metrolink spokesman Scott Johnson told CBSLA Monday. "So we want to make sure people are safe, and have the service they need."
The upgrades being made are:
- 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.
For the full train schedule, click here.