Metrolink San Bernardino Line

Metrolink San Bernardino Line
Name	San Bernardino Line
Type	Commuter rail
System	Metrolink
Locale	Southern California
Start	Los Angeles Union Station
End	San Bernardino
Stations	14
Opened	1992
Owner	Southern California Regional Rail Authority
Operator	Metrolink
Gauge	Standard gauge

Metrolink San Bernardino Line The San Bernardino Line is a commuter rail service in Southern California connecting Los Angeles Union Station, Pomona, Ontario, and San Bernardino. Operated by Metrolink under the authority of the Southern California Regional Rail Authority, the line serves passengers traveling between the Greater Los Angeles Area, the Inland Empire, and adjacent communities. The corridor uses trackage owned or controlled by freight railroads including Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway, and integrates with other regional services such as Amtrak California and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Overview

The San Bernardino Line functions as one of Metrolink's original corridors, providing weekday commuter-oriented service along a corridor historically served by intercity carriers like the Santa Fe Railway and the Southern Pacific Railroad. It links major employment centers, transportation hubs, and educational institutions including California State Polytechnic University, Pomona and the University of California, Riverside. The line interfaces with regional planning agencies such as the Southern California Association of Governments and county transit agencies like the Riverside County Transportation Commission and San Bernardino County Transportation Authority for funding and service coordination. Strategic capital programs have involved partnerships with federal entities including the Federal Transit Administration and state programs administered by the California Department of Transportation.

Route and Stations

The route begins at Los Angeles Union Station and proceeds east through neighborhoods and municipalities such as Chinatown, El Monte, Pomona, Montclair, Claremont, Upland, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Rialto, and terminates in San Bernardino. Stations provide intermodal connections to Los Angeles Metro Rail, Foothill Transit, Omnitrans, and Metrolink Orange County Line and Metrolink 91/Perris Valley Line at shared points. Infrastructure features include grade separations near Interstate 10, signalized crossings coordinated with Positive Train Control deployments, and platform improvements consistent with Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.

Operations and Service Pattern

Service patterns emphasize weekday peak-direction operations with off-peak and weekend frequencies adjusted by demand and funding allocations from agencies such as LA Metro and county transportation authorities. Trains operate under dispatching agreements with host railroads including Union Pacific Railroad and coordinate with Amtrak long-distance and regional timetables like those of Pacific Surfliner. Crew, maintenance, and dispatching involve labor organizations and rules influenced by entities such as the Federal Railroad Administration. Fare integration uses regional systems including GO Metro style transfers and interfaces with fare initiatives administered by county transit authorities.

Rolling Stock and Equipment

The San Bernardino Line employs motive power such as diesel locomotives models from manufacturers including EMD and Siemens Mobility acquisitions, and passenger coaches such as Bombardier bi-level cars and Venture coaches introduced through state capital programs. Onboard systems include crashworthiness features meeting Federal Railroad Administration Tier standards, passenger amenities like bicycle racks, and communications suites compatible with Positive Train Control systems supplied by vendors including Wabtec Corporation and Alstom. Maintenance is performed at Metrolink facilities supported by parts suppliers and original equipment manufacturers like Progress Rail.

History and Development

The corridor's rail heritage traces to predecessor routes operated by Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and Southern Pacific Railroad; commuter revival efforts accelerated after 1992 unrest and regional transportation planning in the early 1990s, culminating in Metrolink's system launch. Key milestones include extensions and station infill projects supported by ballot measures such as Measure R and local sales-tax initiatives in San Bernardino County and Riverside County, grade separation programs funded through federal discretionary grants, and infrastructure upgrades tied to statewide propositions administered by the California Transportation Commission. The line has been affected by events including extreme weather incidents, freight congestion tied to Los Angeles–Long Beach port complex traffic, and service disruptions requiring coordination with California Governor's Office during emergencies.

Ridership and Performance

Ridership on the San Bernardino corridor fluctuates with regional employment trends in centers like Downtown Los Angeles and Ontario International Airport, policy shifts in telecommuting, and fare and service changes directed by the Southern California Association of Governments travel demand models. Performance metrics tracked by Metrolink and oversight agencies include on-time performance, mean distance between failures, and safety statistics overseen by the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Railroad Administration. Peak-period trains historically show the highest load factors with ridership peaks tied to major events at venues such as the Honda Center and Angel Stadium when combined transit trips occur.

Future Plans and Upgrades

Planned improvements involve capital projects coordinated with regional partners including San Bernardino County Transportation Authority and Riverside County Transportation Commission to enhance frequencies, extend platforms, and integrate with projects like the Brightline West conceptual network and regional high-capacity transit studies. Proposed investments encompass Positive Train Control enhancements, station modernization using funding streams from the Federal Transit Administration Capital Investment Grants, and transit-oriented development initiatives linked to municipal plans in Rancho Cucamonga and San Bernardino. Long-range scenarios consider electrification studies, procurement of low-emission rolling stock influenced by California Air Resources Board policies, and integration with regional fare systems championed by Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Category:Metrolink (California) lines Category:Passenger rail transport in California