SIMI VALLEY, MOORPARK : Tardiness Plagues Metrolink Service

Metrolink service to Ventura County is the tardiest in the rail carrier’s five-county system, with trains to and from Simi Valley, Moorpark, Camarillo and Oxnard late nearly one-fourth of the time.

According to a report released by Metrolink, Ventura County trains in June were more than five minutes late nearly 25% of the time. During the same month, trains to and from San Bernardino, Orange, Riverside and Los Angeles counties were late for 8% to 21% of all trips.

Trains’ lateness is caused by a number of factors, including antiquated switching signals, freight traffic and long stretches of single-track railways, said Metrolink spokesman Peter Hidalgo.

“Riders value on-time service more than anything else,” Hidalgo said. “We are working to make these trips run in a more timely fashion.”

To help improve service, Metrolink has launched a two-year project to replace the old switching signals with a state-of-the art system. Metrolink has also fined Southern Pacific railroad $3,000 for causing freight delays along the Ventura County Line.

Those efforts seem to be paying off.

From July 5 to 8, all trains to and from Ventura County ran on time, Hidalgo said.

“The challenge is to make sure we keep the trains running on time,” Hidalgo said.