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Key Twenty-Eight by ‘28 Transit Project Adds Nine Miles of Rail Service in Time for FIFA World Cup 2026™, Super Bowl LXI™, 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Hundreds gathered in Pomona today as residents, community leaders and elected officials welcomed trains back to the San Gabriel Valley for the first time in more than 70 years. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) celebrated the official opening of the extension of the Metro A Line to the cities of Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne and Pomona, further extending the world’s longest rail line. The new stations connect even more communities from Pomona to Long Beach in time for major upcoming LA events, including the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Metro’s grand opening, ribbon-cutting event featured an inaugural Metro A Line train breaking through a commemorative banner as confetti cannons exploded overhead at the new Pomona North Station.
The celebration continued with “Rock the Rails,” a multi-station community music festival across all the new Metro A Line stations, featuring live bands and DJs, food trucks and local exhibitors unique to each community. Students, families and neighbors came together for an afternoon of music, food and fun for a first-hand look at what Metro has to offer across the region.
This new extension adds nine miles to the current 48.5-mile Long Beach to Azusa Metro A Line and harkens back to the Pacific Electric Railway Monrovia-Glendora “Red Car” trains, which ceased operations in 1951. Today’s A Line will expand access to many regional destinations, including major colleges and universities, the Pomona Fairplex, regional parks, historic downtowns, museums, hospitals, medical centers, shopping, dining and entertainment venues. It will also connect people living in San Bernardino County to Los Angeles County via the joint Metro/Metrolink station in Pomona.
“The A Line will connect Angelenos to a wealth of destinations from the foothills to the beaches,” said Fernando Dutra, Metro Board Chair and City of Whittier Council Member. “Now more Eastern San Gabriel Valley residents can take Metro rail to cities like Pasadena, Downtown LA, South LA and Long Beach, boosting mobility in communities that haven’t been served by rail for decades.”
Built by the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority and delivered on time and on budget, the $1.5 billion rail extension project will be operated by Metro. It is the ninth project completed in Metro’s Twenty-Eight by ’28 initiative, an ambitious plan to enhance the region’s transit infrastructure in time for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The La Verne/Fairplex Metro A Line Station will provide sports fans with direct access to the Pomona Fairplex, where cricket will be contested at the Olympic Games for the first time since 1900.
Throughout the year, the Pomona Fairplex hosts a wide range of educational events and entertainment activities connecting communities and driving commerce in the region including the LA County Fair, KABOOM!, Oktoberfest, LIGHTS OUT, and the Imaginarium holiday light festival. The venue serves as a hub for car enthusiasts with events like the Pomona Swap Meet and FuelFest, and it also hosts concerts, trade shows and has an educational farm and learning centers on site.
Additional destinations now served by the Metro A Line include 19 nearby college and university campuses, including Azusa Pacific University, Citrus College, Life Pacific University, University of La Verne, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Pomona College, Claremont Graduate University, Scripps College, Claremont McKenna College, Harvey Mudd College, Pitzer College and Keck Graduate Institute, Mt. San Antonio College and St. Luke University, among others.
“From students and daily commuters to visitors and retirees, the Metro A Line is a vital link to dozens of schools, world-class medical facilities, major job and innovation hubs, and some of our County’s most treasured cultural and entertainment destinations,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor and Metro 2nd Vice Chair Kathryn Barger. “A ride on the A Line is a gateway to opportunity.”
Travel times between Los Angeles Union Station and the Glendora and Pomona Stations will range from 52 to 64 minutes respectively. A similar 30-mile drive between Union Station and Pomona via the I-10 freeway, for example, could easily take an hour and a half or longer during peak commute periods.
Metro A Line trains will operate every eight minutes during peak service weekdays, 10 minutes off-peak, weekday and daytime weekend service and every 20 minutes during evening/late-night service. Several Foothill Transit bus lines will directly serve the new rail stations to support the seamless integration of bus and rail services along the extension.
Each new Metro A Line station includes a multimodal public parking lot with easy pedestrian access and approximately 300 parking spaces each. There are 1,200 combined new parking spaces available on the line. Parking lots include passenger drop-off areas for transit and rideshare users, bicycle parking facilities and electric vehicle chargers.
“The Metro A Line Extension to Pomona will provide communities in the First District with a new, safe, and reliable way to access public transportation—connecting the East San Gabriel Valley to key destinations like Downtown Los Angeles and Long Beach,” said Hilda L. Solis, Los Angeles County Chair Pro Tem and Metro Board Member, representing the First District. “This expansion marks a new chapter in Los Angeles County’s transit history and represents a landmark investment in sustainable mobility. It will enhance regional connectivity, reduce emissions, and improve quality of life for our communities.”
The Pomona North Station will also provide a convenient connection with Metrolink’s San Bernardino Line, which serves the Inland Empire, further expanding transit options for Metro riders seeking to travel throughout the region. This new connection, the third joint Metro/Metrolink hub in L.A. County, will help create a more integrated commuter and interregional rail network.
“The arrival of the Metro A Line Extension to my hometown of Pomona will transform the way Angelenos far and wide access our community,” said Tim Sandoval, Pomona Mayor, Metro Board Member, Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority Board Member and Metrolink Board Member. “I am confident it will breathe new life into the community, create a more vibrant and thriving city and give a new generation of our residents easy, convenient access to Metro’s continuously expanding public transit system.”
The Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority began major project construction in 2020. Funding for the Los Angeles County-only portion of the project was provided by Metro’s Measure R and Measure M transportation sales taxes. A major portion of the project funding was also provided by the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) through its Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program.
“I was one of the earliest champions of Metro rail line extensions to new San Gabriel Valley cities. This was the very first transit project to break ground and among the first to open thanks to our local Measure R and M transportation sales tax investments,” said Ara Najarian, Glendale Mayor and Metro and Metrolink Board member. “Future extensions will make this line even more valuable in better connecting our suburban communities with LA’s urban core.”
Projected ridership on the extension is 10,904 new boardings at the four new stations.
“The Metro A Line Extension from Azusa to Pomona opens new possibilities for more than a million people in the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys, including thousands of students at colleges and universities in the area,” said Stephanie Wiggins, CEO of Metro. “We’re reaching people who didn’t have access to our system before and making Metro better for everyone with new connections in Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, and Pomona. Thank you to the Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority, CalSTA, and LA County voters for making this extension a reality, and we can’t wait to welcome the community aboard!”
For additional information about the Metro A Line to Pomona, please visit A Line Extends to Pomona – Forget Traffic and Relax – LA Metro.
Additional Quotes
Ed Reece, Foothill Gold Line Board Chair
“Today, as light rail service begins across four new cities, we’re not just opening a new line—we’re starting a new chapter for the San Gabriel Valley,” said Foothill Gold Line Board Chair and Claremont City Council Member, Ed Reece. “This line opens up a world of possibilities for current and future generations, connecting communities to new housing, world-class educational institutions, and more job opportunities. It’s a project that will help reduce our environmental impact and create a brighter, more optimistic future for everyone.”
Habib Balian, Foothill Gold Line CEO
“Despite major construction starting just weeks into the Covid-19 Pandemic, the project was completed on time and on budget due to the dedication and ingenuity of the Construction Authority’s team, Hill International, Kiewit-Parsons, the corridor cities and our partners at Metro and SCRRA,” stated Foothill Gold Line CEO, Habib F. Balian. “With these four new stations, the Construction Authority has now delivered 23 of the 25 planned Foothill Gold Line stations, and I thank all those that helped make this historic milestone possible.”
Norma Torres, U.S. Congressmember, 35th District
“I’ve long supported this project, as it will help reduce traffic congestion, create jobs and promote environmental sustainability,” said Norma Torres, U.S. Representative (CA-35). “With a Metrolink connection in Pomona that provides access to the Inland Empire, one of the fastest growing regions in California, the possibilities are endless for making transit connections between our regions.”
Gil Cisneros, U.S. Congressmember, 31st District
“The Metro A Line Extension will make a huge difference for the people across my district, giving them an easier commute to work, a sense of newfound independence, and dramatically expand private investment near and around these new stations, bringing millions in development to our communities.”
Alex Padilla, U.S. Senator
“Today marks a milestone for the Pomona Valley, connecting Foothill communities to the rest of Los Angeles County through reliable, affordable transit. This new line opens doors for hardworking families by creating greater access to jobs and opportunity, while also bringing more customers and business to the Pomona Valley. And it means L.A. County residents can more easily enjoy what the region has to offer.”
Adam Schiff, U.S. Senator
“As a State Senator, I was proud to carry the legislation to establish the Gold Line, and as a House member and U.S. Senator, I have been proud to help fund and expand the light rail as it evolved into the A Line. And now it’s a delight to join the community in celebrating the completion of the A Line’s extension to Pomona and applaud the local activists, community leaders and colleagues from every level of government who helped to build this important line. This extension will make it easier for Californians to travel between cities, while boosting our local economy and improving air quality. This is great news for families all across Southern California.”
Judy Chu, U.S. Congressmember, California’s 28th District
“I’m thrilled to celebrate the extension of the Metro A Line from Azusa to Pomona. By connecting Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, and Pomona with modern stations, sustainable design, and seamless transfers to regional transit, this project links our communities like never before. It’s a win for our environment, our pocketbooks, and for improving access to schools, jobs, and key destinations across the San Gabriel Valley.”
Susan Rubio, California State Senator, 22nd District
“I’ve been working on this extension from the start—first during my time on the Baldwin Park City Council, and now in the State Senate—and it has always been about helping families. With this extension of the Metro A Line to Pomona, families will spend less time in traffic and more time where it matters. Students can get to class, and seniors can stay active and independent. I’m proud to have helped secure state funding to move this project forward, because strong transit means strong, connected communities.”
Blanca Rubio, California State Assemblymember, 48th District
“Assembly District 48 welcomes the newest addition to the A Line with open arms! The four new stops, including one in our very own Glendora, will provide community members and students alike an easy, effortless way to get to any destination– without the traffic jams or occasional car horn battles. Thank you, Metro for making commuting cost effective and simple!”
John Harabedian, California State Assemblymember, 41st District
“The extension of the A Line from Azusa to Pomona is a game-changer for the San Gabriel Valley. This project will not only ease traffic congestion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but it will also connect our communities with more opportunities for jobs, education, and healthcare. For my constituents, this means shorter commutes, greater mobility, and stronger connections across the region. I’m proud to support this investment in our future, which makes daily life more affordable, sustainable, and connected for families throughout the Valley.”
Michelle Rodriguez, California State Assemblymember, 53rd District
“The opening of the A Line extension to Pomona marks a historic step forward for our region. By expanding access to safe, reliable, and sustainable public transportation, this project will create new opportunities for residents across Pomona and the San Gabriel Valley. This investment in public transportation will drive economic progress, expand access to education and jobs, and strengthen the future of our community. The extension is a clear example of what we can accomplish when we invest in infrastructure that puts people first.”
About Metro
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is building the most ambitious transportation infrastructure program in the United States and is working to greatly improve mobility through its Vision 2028 Plan. Metro is the lead transportation planning and funding agency for L.A. County and carries nearly 1 million boardings daily on four light rail and two subway lines and 119 bus lines utilizing 2,000 low-emission buses.
Stay informed by following Metro on The Source and El Pasajero at metro.net, facebook.com/losangelesmetro, x.com/metrolosangeles, x.com/metroLAalerts and instagram.com/metrolosangeles.
