Metrolink Reaches Record Ridership, Gold Line Extension Funded

GLENDORA, CA —Twelve-million people hopped on the Metrolink in 2018, making this the highest annual ridership ever, the commuter rail agency announced Tuesday. With the expansion of the Gold Line, those numbers are likely to grow.

A contract will be decided upon Wednesday for the design-build part of the Gold Line expansion to Pomona, slated to cost $1.5 billion. Last Week, the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Governing Board voted favorably on use of $126 million discretionary transportation fund to complete the much-anticipated project.

According to the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority, the 12.3-mile extension will extend beyond Pomona and not stop at La Verne, as was the original plan. According to a report from the SGV Tribune, the Metrolink will reach Pomona by 2025. That will make the Gold Line the longest line in the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority system.

The extension was announced just before the Metrolink announcement that they have reached their highest annual ridership, ever.

"I want to thank our passengers for trusting us with their daily commute. Without them, there would be no Metrolink," said Brian Humphrey, Metrolink board chair. "I also want to thank our entire Metrolink team. The customer experience we provide our passengers is what attracts people to ride our trains every day."

The new record is an increase of 247,000 boardings from the prior year and eclipses the previous record of 11,796,086 set in the 2008-09 fiscal year.

According to Metrolink, 2018 was the fifth year in a row that ridership has increased. The transportation provider called it a "stark contrast to a trend of declining or flat ridership in public transportation nationwide."
Officials believe an increase in marketing investments, discounts to offset decreasing ridership on some lines, and trial rides for Earth Day and Bike Month helped increase its customers.

"My goal is to double Metrolink's ridership by 2023. These numbers show we are on our way," said Metrolink CEO Stephanie Wiggins.

Compared to July 2018, there were 3.7 percent more riders in July 2019. Additionally, mobile ticket sales reached their highest month ever in July 2019, at more than $3 million, Metrolink reported.

Metrolink cited a robust local economy and more workers commuting through Los Angeles Union Station as reasons for the uptick in its travelers.