LOS ANGELES, CA, August 28, 2009: At today's Board of Directors meeting, the Metrolink Board voted to negotiate a proposed contract for train engineer and conductor services with Amtrak, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.

"Our decision today reflects our unwavering commitment to provide the safest environment for our passengers on our trains. Amtrak, as the largest contract operator of commuter service in the Unites States, provides an excellent safety record, a depth of relevant operating experience and management support for Metrolink operations that is unique in the current passenger rail environment," said Keith Millhouse, Metrolink Board Chairman.

"All of the agency's decisions are being driven by our steadfast commitment to exceptional public safety," said Board Vice Chairman Richard Katz. "We will insist on enhanced testing and oversight protocols in this new contract to ensure we are in complete alignment with Amtrak on our top safety priorities."

The Board concluded that entering into negotiations with Amtrak was the best option in order to meet the deadline imposed by the conclusion of the current contract term with Connex Railroad, LLC on June 30, 2010. Amtrak was Metrolink's operator for commuter rail services when the service was initiated in 1992 through 2004, and the company continues to be the sole operator of intercity rail service in the country. No other entity matches these qualifications for service.

"Continuing with our longstanding model of outsourcing train operations will allow us to further focus our resources on all of our industry-leading safety measures, including implementing an accelerated deployment of Positive Train Control, installing inward-facing video cameras in all of our locomotives and lead passenger cars, developing additional Sealed Corridor projects and anticipating the arrival of our new Crash Energy Management technology-enabled fleet of passenger cars," Millhouse said.

A parallel path of in-sourcing operating services will continue until negotiations with Amtrak are successfully concluded. The Board Executive Committee will serve in an advisory role to the Metrolink negotiating team.

Metrolink is Southern California's regional commuter rail service in its 16th year of operations. The Southern California Regional Rail Authority, a joint powers authority made up of an 11-member board representing the transportation commissions of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties, governs the service. The agency currently contracts with Connex Railroad, LLC for the personnel that operate, supervise and manage Metrolink commuter rail service.Metrolink operates over seven routes through a six-county 512 route-mile network, serving more than 43,000 trips each weekday.