Extension of Metro A line from Azusa to Pomona becomes operational this Friday
Metro PCS' A Line Expansion Opens, Bringing Olympic Cricket Competition Access
The Metro PCS' A Line extension is set to commence operation this Friday, marking a significant milestone in the transit system's development. The extension will expand access to the Pomona Fairplex, where the Olympics' Cricket competition will be held, and will bring local rail service to the San Gabriel Valley cities of Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, and Pomona for the first time since 1951.
The A Line, formerly known as the Blue and Gold lines, has expanded further east nine years ago through the San Gabriel Valley to Arcadia, Monrovia, Duarte, Irwindale, and Azusa. Now, with the addition of the new extension, the A Line will extend from Long Beach to Pomona, making it a total length of nearly 58 miles, the longest light rail line in the world according to the transit agency.
The new extension includes a total of 9.1 miles and ends about four miles from the Claremont Colleges. The project, which was spearheaded by the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority, has been turned over to Metro PCS earlier this year. Major design and construction on the $1.5-billion light rail extension project began in 2020.
However, the Montclair portion of the project along the existing Metrolink corridor faces financial challenges. More than $37 million has been pulled recently due to a lack of local oversight by the San Bernardino County Transit Authority. City Manager Edward Starr expressed disappointment in the decision to not proceed with the Montclair portion of the A Line project and plans to push SBCTA to reconsider its decision.
At a recent meeting, Montclair city officials expressed concerns over potential economic and environmental impacts of the decision. The Board's frustration over the absence of local control in decision-making played a role in the decision to not proceed with the Montclair portion of the A Line project.
The A Line saw over 1.8 million boardings in August, and the time to travel the nearly 58-mile route between downtown and Pomona is expected to be about 64 minutes. Metro PCS will commemorate Friday's opening of the A Line extension with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring transit officials, local leaders, and 2024 Olympians.
The A Line expansion project is tied to Metro PCS' 2028 Olympics and Paralympics initiatives, making it an exciting addition to the city's transport infrastructure. As the extension opens, residents and visitors alike can look forward to improved connectivity and easier access to various destinations across the city.
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