Metrolink and Metro adding service to provide affordable transportation options

LOS ANGELES: To provide more options for people who absolutely must travel during the I-405 weekend closure (July 16-17), both Metrolink and the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) have increased transit services during the weekend closure.

Metrolink is supplementing its regular weekend schedule by adding seven round-trips on the Ventura County Line, which runs between L.A. Union Station and East Ventura - making stops in Glendale, Downtown Burbank, the Bob Hope Airport, Van Nuys, Northridge, Chatsworth, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Camarillo, Oxnard and East Ventura. Metrolink is also adding nine round-trips on the Antelope Valley Line, which runs between L.A. Union Station and Lancaster, stopping in Glendale, Downtown Burbank, Sun Valley, Sylmar, Newhall, Santa Clarita, Via Princessa, Acton and Palmdale. In addition to the expanded schedules, regular train service will still be available on the following lines: Orange County, which runs between L.A. Union Station and Oceanside; San Bernardino, which runs between L.A. Union Station and San Bernardino; and Inland Empire-Orange County, which runs between San Bernardino and Riverside County into Oceanside.

With stops at the Bob Hope Airport and L.A. Union Station, Metrolink service is a viable option to get to major airports in the region, including Bob Hope Airport in Burbank and LAX via the FlyAway bus from Union Station.

For more information on Metrolink service, schedules or affordable ticketing options such as the new $10 Weekend Pass, which lets customers ride Metrolink all weekend for one, low rate, please visit www.metrolinktrains.com.

Metro has announced that is also adding 61 buses and 32 rail cars to enhance service on the bus and rail lines serving the area which will be impacted by the I-405 closure.

In addition to providing free rides on the Metro Orange, Red and Purple Lines, Metro has selected bus lines for free fares that operate on major Westside and San Fernando Valley streets in areas most affected by the closure. Free rides on the selected bus lines are intended to help mitigate congestion during the closure weekend.

Metro will closely monitor traffic congestion on all routes in the I-405 construction area and will make needed adjustments to bus service based on the current traffic conditions. Transit patrons should, however, anticipate longer trip times to reach their destinations and plan accordingly.

For additional information on Metro bus schedules, visit metro.net. For more information or updates about the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvements Project, visit metro.net/I-405.

For July 16 and 17 Special Metrolink Service schedule information, click here.