Metrolink Considers Adding Trains for Off-Peak Commuters : Transportation: The midmorning and midafternoon expansion is aimed at those who do not have 9-to-5 workdays.

Fifteen midmorning and midafternoon trains would be added to the Metrolink commuter service under a proposal to be considered this week by a regional rail panel.

The added service--the first major expansion of the system that began operating Oct. 26--is designed to increase ridership by appealing to commuters who do not work a typical 9-to-5 work schedule, and riders who would use the trains for other types of trips into downtown Los Angeles.

The expansion--which would cost $200,000 for the next six months--was unanimously backed last week by a committee of the Southern California Regional Rail Authority, which oversees operation of the Metrolink system. The entire authority will consider the expansion plan Friday.

If approved, the expanded schedule will begin Feb. 22.

Metrolink spokesman Peter Hidalgo said the added trains are part of an expansion that would be phased in over the next two or three years to extend the service outside of Los Angeles and Ventura counties to include stops in San Diego and Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Plans call for the system to eventually operate over 400 miles of track and serve 70 stations.

A proposed extension into Redlands in San Bernardino County and Hemet in Riverside County is questionable, Metrolink officials say, because voters rejected a rail bond in November that was to help fund the expansion.

Informal discussions with riders have shown that they would like to use the trains on off-commute hours to attend special business meetings or to shop or visit museums and theaters in downtown Los Angeles or other stops along the way, Hidalgo said.

“We are constantly looking for new ways to improve our service, in a cost-effective manner, and make Metrolink more attractive than driving alone,” said Metrolink Executive Director Richard Stanger.

The expansion plan also includes first-time service to Montclair. Metrolink’s first expansion was adding service on Dec. 7 to Claremont.

The expansion schedule is:

On the Santa Clarita Line, four trains would be added, one leaving Santa Clarita at 9:05 a.m. and one at 2:45 p.m. Two more would leave Union Station at 7:50 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

On the Ventura County line, two trains would be added between downtown Los Angeles and Van Nuys, with stops in Glendale and Burbank. One train to Van Nuys would leave Union Station at 2:35 p.m. The other would leave Van Nuys for Union Station at 3:27 p.m.

The added trains were not extended to Moorpark because of work being done on the line to improve the computerized dispatching system. The work is expected to be completed by September, at which time the new trains can run to Ventura County.

In addition to the midmorning and midafternoon trains, Metrolink would expand service to Glendale and Burbank. Trains would leave Union Station for Burbank and Glendale at 7:15 a.m., 8:10 a.m. and 9:05 a.m. In the afternoon, trains would leave from Burbank at 4:21 p.m. and 4:56 p.m. and from Glendale at 4:29 p.m. and 5:04 p.m.

On the San Bernardino line, four trains would be added, one leaving Montclair at 10:16 a.m. and one at 2:10 p.m. Two others would leave Union Station for Montclair at 9:05 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Hidalgo said passenger volume has exceeded expectations of Metrolink officials. He said officials had expected about 2,000 passengers per day within the first three months of service. He said trains have been carrying an average of 3,600 passengers a day since Jan. 1.