Metrolink Free Ride Earth Day_Lancaster_22APR2022

Los Angeles – Metrolink provided free rides today on Earth Day to encourage people to take the train and help the air quality in southern California. Riding the train instead of driving can lessen CO2 emissions and limit harmful pollutants released into the environment.

Metrolink experienced a nearly 15 percent ridership increase Friday morning compared to Thursday and projects to have 17,000 total boardings today, which will be a new single-day post-pandemic ridership record. Metrolink has averaged just over 12,600 passenger boardings the past four Fridays.

“Reducing harmful pollutants to fight climate change is a top priority for Metrolink,” said Metrolink Board Chair Ara Najarian. “When people see the impact we can make together, I think they’ll understand that riding the train is an important element in the fight for our planet.”

On Earth Day, Metrolink staff members were at stations throughout the region sharing the agency’s thanks for taking the train and to provide riders with reusable water bottles.

“Taking the train is even greener this Earth Day now that our locomotives are powered with renewable fuel,” Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle said. “With more folks riding the train today instead of driving, together we made a bigger impact on fighting climate change.”

Those who visited Metrolink’s Earth Day web page and made a #takethetrain pledge were eligible to win a Monthly Pass. Metrolink’s Personal Impact Calculator allowed riders to see how riding the train made an ecological impact.

Metrolink is the backbone of regional public transit -- the literal “Link” for work, play, culture, and adventure for millions across the region. Metrolink keeps SoCal moving, connecting riders to “metros” from the mountains to the sea and all points in between, while providing easy access to local transit authorities and services.

Metrolink B-roll is here