Metrolink (Southern California)

Under the name of the Metro Link rail suburban services operating in the Greater Los Angeles, California.

History

Prehistory

By 1992, Los Angeles knew absolutely no railway suburban more. All previously existing railway systems were set in the 1950s and 60s. The 3.8- million - inhabitant city neither had nor subways trams after the Second World War, the extensive tram or light rail network has also been phased out. The poor bus covered the urgent needs of those segments of the population who did not have a car. As elsewhere also took the cars in the car-friendly city so that the state of California, the city of Los Angeles and counties in the surrounding area ( 17 million inhabitants) had to deal with new traffic concepts. In addition to subway and light rail lines in Los Angeles, a more than 400 -kilometer suburban railway network was designed.

Establishing the SCRRA

This required the establishment of the Southern California Railroad Administration ( SCRRA ) in 1991. This authority arises both as an operator and as an owner of rail infrastructure, whose tracks were previously major freight railways. As of 1992 was started with three lines. With the operation of the public passenger transport company Amtrak has been commissioned, the new Canadian-built Bombardier BiLevel began bi-level cars and own staff. Has been driven in the beginning exclusively for commuter traffic purposes, such as is often the case in the U.S. Monday through Friday, the network now comprises seven lines, which run on most routes the trains on weekends. The network now extends in such well-known places such as San Bernardino and Anaheim ( Disneyland ).

Takeover by Veolia

After a tender in 2003, now took over the American subsidiary of Veolia Transportation, the operating rights and the vehicle material from the Amtrak. The staff, the U.S. freight rail company BNSF Railway, also on tracks of competitor Union Pacific Railroad when the routes are not under the SCRRA anyway. Each day, 38 diesel locomotives and 143 cars more than 45,000 commuters and day-trippers promoted. On the route network of 624 km run every working day 169, Saturday's and Sundays 44 Daily 32 trains, which operate a total of 55 stops.

Lines

The seven Metrolink lines include a total line length of 824 km. Start up on the Inland Empire - Orange County Line and end all lines at Union Station in Los Angeles.

The seven lines are:

  • The Ventura County Line from Oxnard to Los Angeles (12 stations; 114.1 miles )
  • The Antelope Valley Line from Lancaster to Los Angeles (11 stations; 123.2 miles )
  • The San Bernardino Line from San Bernardino to Los Angeles (13 stations; 90.9 km )
  • The Riverside Line from Riverside to Los Angeles (7 stations, 94.6 km )
  • The Orange County Line from Oceanside to Los Angeles (14 stations; 140.3 km )
  • The Inland Empire - Orange County Line from San Bernardino to Oceanside (14 stations; 161.1 km )
  • The 91 Line of Riverside on Fullerton to Los Angeles (9 stations; 99.1 km )
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