Octa's transportation blog

Safety Updates Prompt Rail Service Interruptions during October

To ensure Metrolink’s safety and reliability, Metrolink train crews will replace railroad ties, update track drainage and secure track embankments during the weekends of October 8-9, 15-16, and 22-23. Metrolink, Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, COASTER, and freight rail providers will experience major service interruptions.

On the Orange County Line, Metrolink will operate two roundtrips. Trains 660, 661, 666 and 667 will operate between Norwalk and Irvine with buses providing service to stations between Norwalk and Los Angeles as well as Irvine to Oceanside. Northbound service departing from stations south of Irvine will be provided by buses only.   

There will be no train service on the Inland Empire-Orange County Line. However, Metrolink has arranged for buses to provide one round-trip to cover service for trains 857 and 860. These buses will depart from San Bernardino and Oceanside, respectively, at their published departure times. This service will not have connecting service for passengers planning to go to Los Angeles. Riders choosing to take this service should plan for an extended trip time and severe delays. For more information about the closures, click here.

Those who live near the tracks in the Cities of Anaheim, Orange and San Juan Capistrano on the Orange County and Inland Empire-Orange County lines may hear intermittent construction noise, including construction vehicles, equipment and back up alarms. Lights, dust and vibrations are also a possibility. Due to a federal ruling requiring horn safety during construction, residents may also hear train horns in select areas as passenger and freight operations continue. Due to the mobile nature of this work, most residents will not be impacted more than one weekend at a time.

Prep work can take place up to one week before and after the scheduled closures. If you have questions, contact Metrolink’s Community Relations office at (213) 503-3272 or novoas@scrra.net.  Call 1 (800)-698-4TDD for customers with speech or hearing disabilities.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.