Pictured left to right are panel participants David Libatique, Deputy Executive Director of Stakeholder Engagement, Port of Los Angeles; Aaron Hake, Executive Director, Riverside County Transportation Commission; Darren Kettle, CEO, Metrolink; Darin Chidsey, Chief Operating Officer, Southern California Association of Governments (moderator); Tanisha Taylor, Executive Director, California Transportation Commission; and Martin Erickson, Executive Director, Ventura County Transportation Commission.
On Friday, Sept. 20, CEO Darren Kettle and Metrolink leadership attended the annual Mobility 21 Transportation Summit at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, where Darren participated on a panel moderated by SCAG Chief Operating Officer Darin Chidsey. The panel explored federal and state opportunities to support innovation in transportation, including the important role these entities play in facilitating localized mobility solutions. Members also discussed the challenges stemming from the political, climate and fiscal uncertainty currently impacting the industry.
During the conversation, Darren previewed Metrolink’s upcoming weekday service expansion, launching Oct. 21, and how it ties into the agency’s broader transformation from a conventional commuter service to a robust regional passenger rail provider. He also spoke about Metrolink’s preparations for and ongoing needs related to the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympics Games and shared how we are working with our member agencies and other industry stakeholders on solutions to support California’s ambitious climate action goals.