All Metrolink trains now have a specially designed surfboard storage area.

With summer beach travel heating up, Metrolink, Southern California’s regional rail system, today announced surfers now can bring their surfboards on Metrolink trains that go within steps of the Southland’s most popular beaches in San Clemente and Oceanside. Metrolink also has convenient connections to Metro’s Expo Line to Santa Monica at no additional cost.

Special surfboard storage netting has been installed on all MetrolinkBike/Surfboard Cars, and Metrolink, state and local officials and surfers showcased it today at a Union Station press event.

“This is a natural step for our service in making train travel a more convenient mode of transportation,” said Metrolink Board Chair and City of San Jacinto Council Member Andrew Kotyuk. “People have consistently taken our trains to the beach while avoiding the congested freeways. We are excited that surfers will now have that option, too.”

Hurley International, a major surfing apparel company, is partnering with Metrolink to encourage the surfing community and others to take public transit and help the environment.

In 2012, Metrolink first offered summer beach trains that would take weekend riders to Orange and San Diego county beaches. Today, trains with those beach connections are a part of Metrolink’s year round regular service seven days a week.

“I applaud Metrolink for its commitment to improving access to public transportation,” said Senator Richard D. Roth (D-Riverside). “When a young constituent of mine expressed the hope to one day ride the train with his surfboard to San Clemente, Metrolink responded with the commitment to explore a change to its policy. I am pleased to see that surfers and bicyclists, alike, will be able to ride the train and fully take advantage of all our region has to offer.”

Along with beach destinations in San Clemente and Oceanside on the Inland Empire-Orange County Line and the Orange County Line, people also can transfer to the Metro light rail system at Union Station with their surfboards. Metro began allowing surfboards on its light rail system and subway with the start of Expo Line service to Santa Monica last year.

“As an avid surfer, I know that this addition to Metrolink service will be used by surfing enthusiasts,” said Borja Leon, Mayor Eric Garcetti's director of transportation and a Metrolink board member. “Biking and surfing are core activities in sunny Southern California. I, too, take my board and use this new service to avoid freeway traffic congestion and parking hassles, while easily accessing the beach.”

“As a company built around enjoying the water, Hurley is committed to protecting the earth and its resources,” said Ryan Hurley of Hurley International. “As an inclusive brand, we believe anyone who wants to surf should be able to. By allowing surfboards on the train, Metrolink is providing a new access point for surfers all over Southern California.”

Bodyboards and Boogie Boards along with beach chairs, toys, umbrellas and ice chests are also allowed on Metrolink trains.

Surfboards must not exceed 6 feet, four inches in length, while only five are allowed per storage area. There is one storage area per train. Reservations are not necessary. For a complete list of on-board policies, please go tometrolinktrains.com/howtoride.

For additional details on Metrolink, please visitwww.metrolinktrains.com.

ABOUT METROLINK (www.metrolinktrains.com)

Metrolink is Southern California's regional commuter rail service in its 24thyear of operation. Metrolink is governed by The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA), 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. Metrolink operates seven routes through a six-county, 538 route-mile network. Metrolink’s passengers travel approximately 441 million miles each year, making Metrolink the second busiest public transportation provider in Southern California. Metrolink is the third largest commuter rail agency in the United States based on directional route miles and the eighth largest based on annual ridership.

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