Metrolink will soon offer customers greater flexibility, including more midday options, to better meet the region’s evolving transportation needs. Beginning Monday, Oct. 21, Metrolink is adding 32 weekday trains, accounting for a nearly 23% increase in service. The new schedule will also streamline connections between lines, making it easier for riders to navigate Metrolink’s six-county service area.
In addition to increasing weekday service levels, the new schedule will optimize connections across the system, reducing wait times for most passengers transferring from one line to another and facilitating travel between counties. The number of connections available throughout the day is increasing by more than 300%, and most customers will experience wait periods of just 10-20 minutes. These operational efficiencies will also allow Metrolink to use fewer train sets to run more trains.
Locally, the Orange County Line will add seven trains with all weekday trips operating at least as far south as Irvine, and four new IEOC Line trains will bolster connectivity between Riverside and Orange counties. The final weekend IEOC Line train from Oceanside to San Bernardino has also been adjusted and will leave three hours later to allow visitors more time to explore the coastal destination.
Many existing Metrolink routes have been shifted slightly earlier or later to more effectively space service throughout the day. Times and station stops may not align with current offerings, and customers are encouraged to consult the new schedule when planning their next trip.