Metrolink Trains

What Metrolink Trains does

Metrolink Trains is Southern California's regional commuter rail service, operated by the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA), a joint powers authority founded in 1992 and governed by transportation commissions of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties. The network spans 545.6 service line miles and 67 stations across six counties, with a 501-1,000 employee base, providing daily commuter rail service and serving as a backbone for regional mobility alongside connections to LA Metro, OCTA, and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner via the Rail 2 Rail program.

The core product is regional rail service operated under contract by Amtrak since June 2010, supported by a mobile ticketing app, station ticket vending machines, and a new contactless fare payment pilot on the San Bernardino Line and Arrow service. Technical differentiation centers on safety infrastructure: federally mandated Positive Train Control, Crash Energy Management (CEM) railcars with energy-absorbing couplers, the award-winning Wireless Crossing Nearside Station Stop (WCNSS) smart crossing system, and an AI-enabled track intrusion detection system under development with a $1.3M USDOT grant. Metrolink launched the first US hydrogen-powered passenger train (Stadler FLIRT H2) in September 2025 and received $53M for 12 clean energy locomotives to replace diesel engines, while the SCORE program is positioning the network for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Revenue is derived from three streams: distance-based passenger fares (with daily caps of $15 weekday / $10 weekend), subscription-style Corporate Partner Program employer contributions up to $340/month per employee, and managed public funding from member county commissions plus state (SB 1) and federal (IIJA, SMART) grants. Distribution combines direct-to-consumer mobile app and station validator sales with B2B enterprise sales through the Corporate Partner Program and event-driven services for major events such as the FIFA World Cup 2026, which moved 26,000+ fans in a single day. The Arrow sub-brand extends service nine miles between San Bernardino and Redlands.

Name

Metrolink Trains

Legal name

Southern California Regional Rail Authority

Website

https://metrolinktrains.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Metrolink Trains is Southern California's regional commuter rail service, operated by the SCRRA joint powers authority across 545.6 miles and 67 stations in six counties, serving daily commuters, event attendees, and corporate employer partners with hydrogen and electric rail service.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Regional Rail Transportation

NAICS

Commuter Rail Systems (485112), Rail Transportation (482)

SIC

Local & Suburban Transit & Interurban Hwy Passenger Trans (4100)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional Rail (Short-to-Mid Distance) Passenger Operators (THAIACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Railway Stations (Intercity & Regional) (THAIALAA), Urban Rail Accessibility & Passenger Assistance Services (THAIABAK)

Keywords

• Regional passenger rail
• Commuter rail service
• Transit ticketing
• Rail safety technology
• Contactless fare payment

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Passenger Fare Revenue: Distance-based fare system with daily fare caps. Riders pay per trip based on distance traveled, with contactless payment options via credit/debit cards, mobile wallets, or wearable devices.
2. Corporate Partner Program: Employer-sponsored commuter benefit program enabling employees to receive up to $340 per month in pre-tax transit benefits via payroll deductions. Metrolink earns revenue from monthly passes, SoCal Day Passes, one-way, and 5-Day Flex Passes sold through the program.
3. Government Funding and Grants: Public transit funding from federal grants (SMART Stage 1 grant $1.3M), state transportation funds (SB 1), and member agency contributions from Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, and San Diego counties.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Metrolink operates Southern California's regional passenger rail service across a six-county network covering 545.6 service line miles and 67 stations in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, and San Diego counties. The agency provides distance-based commuter rail fares purchased through the Metrolink mobile app, ticket vending machines, contactless validators, and retail outlets, with employer-subsidized transit benefits available through the Corporate Partner Program. Specialized train services are deployed for major events such as FIFA World Cup 2026, Beyond Wonderland, and Dodgers games, with safety and innovation supported by Positive Train Control, Crash Energy Management railcars, AI-enabled track intrusion detection, and the first US hydrogen-powered passenger train.

Product overview

Metrolink Trains is Southern California's regional passenger rail service operated by the Southern California Regional Rail Authority, offering a single unified transportation platform across a six-county network. The core product is regional commuter rail service with 545.6 service line miles and 67 stations, supported by the Mobile App for ticketing and real-time train tracking. The portfolio includes the Arrow Service (nine-mile Redlands extension), contactless fare payment pilot, Corporate Partner Program for employer transit benefits, and the SCORE capital upgrade program for the 2028 Olympics. Safety features include Positive Train Control, AI-enabled track intrusion detection, and smart crossing technology. The service also operates special event trains and integrates with LA Metro and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner for connected regional travel.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Arrow Service: A nine-mile extension of the San Bernardino County Line linking the cities of San Bernardino and Redlands.

Products and services

• Metrolink Regional Rail Service Southern California's regional commuter rail service operating across a six-county network with 545.6 total service line miles and 67 stations connecting Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, and San Diego counties, with distance-based fares and connections to LA Metro, OCTA, RCTC, SBCTA, and VCTC.
• Arrow Service Nine-mile extension of the San Bernardino County Line operated as a Metrolink sub-brand linking the cities of San Bernardino and Redlands, also serving as a pilot corridor for contactless fare payment validators.
• Contactless Fare Payment System Six-month pilot contactless payment system enabling riders to tap credit/debit cards, mobile wallets, or wearable devices at station validators on the San Bernardino Line and Arrow service, operating on a distance-based, pay-as-you-go model with daily fare caps of $15 on weekdays and $10 on weekends.
• Metrolink Mobile App Official Metrolink mobile app available on iOS and Android that lets riders purchase tickets anywhere, activate tickets prior to boarding, transfer tickets if their phone is lost or stolen, and access train status information and special-event offers such as Insomniac special train tickets.
• Hydrogen Train Service (Stadler FLIRT H2) First US hydrogen-powered passenger train service using the Stadler FLIRT H2, which runs on hydrogen fuel cells and batteries to reach speeds up to 130 km/h with 108 seats, supported by a CalSTA and Caltrans program to expand to 25 hydrogen trains across the Southern California system.
• Corporate Partner Program (CPP) Online ticket-management portal enabling Southern California companies to provide transit benefits to employees via pre-tax payroll deductions of up to $340 per month, with monthly passes, SoCal Day Passes, one-way, and 5-Day Flex Passes sold through the program. New corporate accounts receive a 25% discount for the first six months and a complimentary SoCal Day Pass for onsite job interviews.
• Special Event Train Services Special train and gameday bus services deployed for major sporting, music, and holiday events such as FIFA World Cup 2026 (where Metrolink moved over 26,000 fans on a single gameday), Beyond Wonderland, Dodgers games, Holiday Toy Express, and Insomniac festivals (with $25 unlimited-ride Friday-Sunday event tickets including 3 a.m. return service).
• Train Tracker Real-Time Status Service Real-time train tracking and service-alert subscription service that updates train locations and arrival estimates every 60 seconds, accessible through the Metrolink website, with personalized service alerts by text or email tailored to preferred train, station, or travel time.
• Accessibility and ADA Services Accessibility services ensuring ADA compliance across Metrolink stations and trains, including mobility-device accommodations, half-price fares under the Mobility-4-All program, and dedicated customer support for speech- and hearing-impaired riders.

Quantifiable outcome

• 54% ridership increase (Caltrain electrification benchmark cited for Metrolink electrification proposal)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• LA MetrocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2026Official FIFA partner that deployed additional safety personnel and partnered with Metrolink to operate gameday bus services from 15 locations, moving over 26,000 fans on World Cup Monday. Integrated ticketing with Metrolink's transit network.
• Southern California Association of GovernmentscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026Partnered with Metrolink to support development of contactless fare payment pilot on San Bernardino Line and Arrow service ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• California State Transportation AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 June 2026Supported contactless payment pilot development as part of broader efforts to encourage transit use and improve regional mobility during 2026 World Cup.
• California High-Speed Rail AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublished draft business plan for high-speed rail connecting San Francisco to Los Angeles, which would interface with Metrolink's regional network.
• California Integrated Travel Project (Cal-ITP)coreTechnology or IntegrationLeading statewide contactless fare payment expansion, with Metrolink and Capitol Corridor piloting contactless systems ahead of 2026 World Cup. Projected to rise from under 25% to nearly 95% contactless-accepting trips within a year.
• LA Metro / Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction AuthorityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA Line extension from Pomona to Claremont involves relocating about a mile of Metrolink track and half-mile of freight track, plus bridges over three Claremont avenues. Major construction begins 2027, completes 2031.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Metra: Commuter rail operator serving the Chicago metropolitan area across multiple counties. Closely comparable to Metrolink in mission, ridership base, and service model.
• Caltrain: Northern California commuter rail between San Francisco and San Jose; cited in Metrolink's own electrification materials as a benchmark for ridership and travel-time improvements.
• Coaster (NCTD): San Diego County commuter rail service operated by the North County Transit District; comparable Southern California commuter rail operating on shared track with freight and Amtrak.
• Capitol Corridor: California intercity passenger rail jointly managed by BART and Amtrak; already partnering with Metrolink on the Cal-ITP contactless payment pilot.
• Long Island Rail Road: US's busiest commuter rail, operated by MTA. Comparable scale, multi-line network, shared-track operations and large capital program.
• NJ Transit Rail: New Jersey commuter rail serving the New York metro area; comparable ridership profile, electrification plans, and operating-contractor model.
• SEPTA Regional Rail: Philadelphia-region commuter rail with multi-county service, shared freight corridors, and similar ridership recovery challenges post-pandemic.
• MBTA Commuter Rail: Boston-area commuter rail operated under contract by Keolis; comparable multi-line network with shared trackage and similar safety-tech investments.

Regional players

• Amtrak Pacific Surfliner: Intercity rail operating in Southern California over tracks shared with Metrolink; integrated via Rail 2 Rail program and a key operational and contracting partner.

Broad incumbents

• LA Metro Rail: Larger Los Angeles County transit operator running subway and light rail; partners with Metrolink on transit connections and FIFA World Cup gameday service.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Metrolink
• YouTubeyoutube.com/metrolinkmatters
• Facebookfacebook.com/Metrolink
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/metrolink
• Instagraminstagram.com/metrolink

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Metrolink Trains