Commuter service began October 26, 1992 on three initial routes: the San Bernardino Line to Pomona, the Santa Clarita Line, and the Ventura County Line to Moorpark.
Train frequencies increased and new routes were added, including the Riverside Line in June 1993, the Orange County Line in March 1994, and the Inland Empire Line in October 1995, and the 91 Line in 2002. The Northridge Earthquake of January 17, 1994 jumpstarted the proposed extension of train service from Santa Clarita to Palmdale and Lancaster, after highway access to L.A. was virtually cut off. In the space of a week trains were running to Lancaster on the renamed Antelope Valley Line, beginning January 24. Saturday service was introduced on the San Bernardino and Antelope Valley lines in 1997, the Riverside Line in 2000.
Metrolink operates seven lines totaling 512 route miles, serving 53 stations. Trains on six of the seven lines call at Los Angeles Union Station, where passengers can connect to Amtrak, the Metro Red Line, and local buses. The Inland Empire-Orange County Line is a unique suburb-to-suburb commuter service that bypasses downtown L.A.
On average, Metrolink carried more than 40,000 daily riders in 2006.
Most trains operate Monday-Friday. Limited weekend service is available on some lines.
Metrolink trains are operated by Amtrak under contract. Motive power consists of 37 EMD-built F5PH and F59PHI locomotives (including the two F59PHIs built for the stillborn Philip Morris Marlboro Unlimited), plus one former Amtrak F40PH. In 2006, the agency placed an order for 11 MP36 locomotives from MotivePower. All trains operate push-pull with bilevel coaches and cab cars from Bombardier.
- Ventura County Line. Weekday service on the former Southern Pacific Coast Line to Burbank and Moorpark, with limited rush-hour service to Montalvo, 71 miles from L.A. Serves 11 stations. Ticket holders with coupons may also ride selected Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains between Oxnard and L.A. on weekdays. No service on weekends or holidays.
- Antelope Valley Line. Trains operate Monday-Friday to Princessa and Lancaster, 77 miles, with limited service on Saturdays. Serves 8 stations. No service on Sunday or holidays.
- San Bernardino Line. Weekday service to San Bernardino by way of Pomona, 56 miles. Serves 12 stations. Limited weekend service operates beyond San Bernardino to Riverside-Downtown.
- Riverside Line. Weekday rush-hour service between Los Angeles, East Ontario and Riverside, 59 miles. Serves 6 stations. Limited service on Saturday. No service on Sunday or holidays. Weekday reverse-commute trains also operate between Riverside and Los Angeles by way of Fullerton.
- Orange County Line. Daily service on the former Santa Fe “Surf Line” to Irvine, with limited service to San Juan Capistrano and Oceanside, 87 miles from L.A. Serves 10 stations. Ticket holders with coupons may also ride selected Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains between Oceanside and L.A.
- Inland Empire-Orange County Line. The only suburb-to-suburb commuter line in the U.S. Peak-period trains operate Monday-Friday on a 100-mile route between San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, Santa Ana, Irvine and San Juan Capistrano. Serves 9 stations. Limited service on weekends.
- 91 Line. Weekday service between Riverside and L.A., via Fullerton using portions of the Inland Empire and Orange County lines, 62 miles. Serves 7 stations. No service on weekends or holidays.
Metrolink
700 South Flower Street
Suite 2600
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(800) 371-LINK (5465), and (213) 347-2800
www.metrolinktrains.com
