Metrolink Trains
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.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
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.
Metrolink Trains firmographics
Firmographics- 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
Metrolink Trains industry classification
Industry- 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
Where Metrolink Trains is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Metrolink Trains business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Contactless Payment - Distance-based pay-as-you-go |
| Subscription | Monthly | Corporate Partner Program monthly commuter benefits |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | SoCal Day Pass - Unlimited one-day travel |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Insomniac Special Events train ticket |
| Subscription | Monthly | Discounted fare programs |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Metrolink Trains product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use Metrolink Trains
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Metrolink Trains technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
AI capability4 records
Feature6 records
Metrolink Trains partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- LA MetrocoreOfficial 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 GovernmentscorePartnered 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 AgencycoreSupported 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 AuthorityminorPublished 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)coreLeading 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 AuthorityminorA 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
Metrolink Trains competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect 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
Metrolink Trains social profiles
Digital presenceMetrolink Trains financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Metrolink Trains leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Metrolink Trains subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Metrolink Trains funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Metrolink Trains M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Metrolink Trains
What does Metrolink Trains do?
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.
Is Metrolink Trains a public or private company?
Metrolink Trains is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Metrolink Trains founded?
Metrolink Trains was founded in 1992. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Metrolink Trains based?
Metrolink Trains is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does Metrolink Trains make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Passenger Fare Revenue is the primary driver. The others are corporate Partner Program and government Funding and Grants.
Who are Metrolink Trains's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Metra, Caltrain, Coaster (NCTD), Capitol Corridor, Long Island Rail Road, NJ Transit Rail, SEPTA Regional Rail and MBTA Commuter Rail. Amtrak Pacific Surfliner is listed as a regional player. LA Metro Rail is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Metrolink Trains have an API?
No public API is recorded for Metrolink Trains.
What industry is Metrolink Trains in?
Metrolink Trains's product category is Regional Rail Transportation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAIACAC, Regional Rail (Short-to-Mid Distance) Passenger Operators, with a secondary code of THAIALAA, Railway Stations (Intercity & Regional). Its NAICS code is 485112 and its SIC code is 4100.