New rail service will begin transporting passengers between San Bernardino and Redlands, Calif., on Oct. 24 as the Arrow, a nine-mile extension of Metrolink’s San Bernardino Line, makes its first runs.
Operations on the line follow a ribbon cutting ceremony that was held on Oct. 21 to mark not only the start of Arrow Line service, but “a new age of commuter transit in Southern California.” Arrow, which has been more than a decade in the making, features new tracks, enhanced street crossings, quiet zones and five stations.
“The launch of the Arrow Line signals the next generation of commuter rail service across our region. This clean-air service will help to improve air quality while providing direct access to the Metrolink system for tens of thousands of additional commuters in one of the fastest-growing population and economic centers in the nation,” said Art Bishop, president of the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) Board and Mayor pro Tem of the Town of Apple Valley.
Metrolink will operate 22 weekday roundtrip trains between Redlands University and downtown San Bernardino, which will increase to 25 weekday roundtrips once quiet zones are approved for an additional early morning and two late night trains.
New amenities
Arrow trains have capacity for 120 standing passengers, space for up to eight wheelchair passengers, USB chargers at most seats, storage hooks for up to 12 bicycles and level boarding at station platforms.
“The launch of Arrow is monumental for both San Bernardino County and the Southern California region,” Metrolink Board Vice-Chair and SBCTA Board Member Larry McCallon said. “The effort of SBCTA and Metrolink to complete a project of this magnitude is tremendous. By extending passenger rail service to Redlands with new, modern and eco-friendly trains, the agencies are fulfilling commitments to not only provide Southern California residents with greater regional rail connectivity, but also meet California’s aggressive climate-improvement goals.”