Area Commuters Now Served by New Metrolink Route

Daily trains began rolling this week along Metrolink’s new Riverside-Los Angeles commuter line, which includes a City of Industry station to serve south San Gabriel Valley residents who work in downtown Los Angeles.

Rather than commute an hour or more to and from work in Los Angeles, south San Gabriel Valley residents who normally commute on the Pomona Freeway (60) can take one of four daily Metrolink trains that stop in Industry. The ride from there to Union Station in downtown Los Angeles takes about 34 minutes.

Service along Metrolink’s Riverside line, which has stops in Pedley, East Ontario and Industry, began Monday. Metrolink is running three morning trains and one afternoon train out of Riverside and four afternoon and evening trains that leave Union Station. Rides are free until the end of the month. Riders will have to pay beginning July 1.

City of Industry spent about $2.4 million to construct its new Metrolink station with the hope that many employees who now drive to work in Industry from Riverside and other Inland Empire communities will commute by train. Metrolink officials expect the number of such commuters to increase dramatically as some City of Industry employers arrange shuttle service from the Industry station to their workplaces.

At the same time, hundreds of Walnut, Diamond Bar and Pomona residents are boarding Metrolink at the Industry station to avoid the bumper-to-bumper drive into Los Angeles. A round-trip pass for the ride from Industry to Union Station will cost $6. Monthly passes are $112. The prices include the cost of bus and rail connections available from all Metrolink stations.

The Industry station includes parking for more than 500 cars.

Each Metrolink passenger car seats 148 people and includes air conditioning and heating, rest roooms, several worktables, and space for two bicycles. Pay cellular phones are planned.

Information: (800) 371-LINK.