Metrolink, the region’s six-county passenger rail provider, will once again offer free rides on Transit Equity Day, observed annually on Feb. 4 in honor of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks. Next Wednesday, riders may board without a ticket at any of Metrolink’s 67 stations and travel systemwide, including on the Arrow service.
“Transit Equity Day honors Rosa Parks’ legacy and the principle that everyone deserves access to reliable public transportation,” Metrolink Board Chair Doug Chaffee said. “Free-fare days open the door for more Southern Californians to experience Metrolink firsthand and see how regional rail can connect them to new opportunities by expanding their options and reducing barriers that limit mobility.”
Metrolink observes three free-ride days each year. In addition to Transit Equity Day, the agency will waive fares on Earth Day (April 22) and California Clean Air Day (Oct. 7) in 2026. Collectively, these ticketless travel days introduce new customers to the convenience of using public transportation, generate higher-than-average ridership and drive sustained behavior change, with more than 75% of riders returning to use the service again after taking advantage of a free ride opportunity. Last year, Metrolink recorded more than 27,000 boardings on Transit Equity Day, 22% above the average Tuesday ridership for the rest of the month.
To ensure Metrolink remains an accessible option year-round, everyday discounts are available for children, students, seniors, riders with disabilities, low-income riders, veterans and active military members. Metrolink ticketholders also enjoy free transfers to many connecting local transportation providers throughout Southern California’s transit network.
Alongside Metrolink, several regional partners will also be waiving fares for Transit Equity Day, including LA Metro, Omnitrans, the Orange County Transportation Authority, the Riverside County Transportation Commission, the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority and the Ventura County Transportation Commission.
Travelers looking for trip-planning ideas can visit metrolinktrains.com/explore for a curated guide to local destinations of interest.
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Metrolink regional passenger rail service offers reliable, safe, affordable, and environmentally sustainable transportation throughout an interconnected six-county network. Metrolink has 545.6 total service line miles and 67 stations across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, and San Diego counties, connecting people, communities, and businesses and serving as an essential link in the region’s mobility landscape. Metrolink also operates the Arrow service, a nine-mile extension of the San Bernardino County Line linking the cities of San Bernardino and Redlands.
