As we move from summer into fall, the signs of the season are unmistakable. The key indicator for me: I’m seeing students with backpacks aboard our trains again. With our new 50% student discount, we’re keeping transportation affordable for those traveling to and from school and providing access to a world of exploration that spans far beyond the classroom. Along the Arrow corridor, our partnership with the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority is allowing us to go a step further through our CPP program. We’re now offering free rides for CSU San Bernardino, San Bernardino Valley College, Crafton Hills College and University of Redlands students with valid ID between Redlands and San Bernardino. This program runs through June 30, 2026, and we’re looking into expanding it to other nearby campuses.
While these initiatives are continuing to introduce the next generation of riders to public transportation, we know that providing a high-quality experience is essential to converting them into long-term customers, and I want to touch on some recent challenges that deserve transparency. We have been navigating on-time performance issues, especially along the San Bernardino Line. These delays have stemmed from a combination of factors, including freight traffic, police activity and mechanical issues with older locomotives. We are taking proactive steps with our partners and maintenance team to address the root causes and ensure dependable service.
The panelists of “Forward Olympics: Regional Readiness through Partnerships” at the Mobility 21 Southern California Transportation Summit. From left: Kettle, Rose Casey (Executive Director of Planning, Orange County Transportation Authority), session moderator Maria S. Salinas (President and CEO, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce), Kome Ajise (Executive Director, Southern California Association of Governments) and Conan Cheung (Chief Operations Officer, LA Metro).
With the 2028 Olympics and Paralympics less than three years away, we’re also focused on preparing for the future. Earlier this month, I joined a panel on regional Games readiness at the Mobility 21 Southern California Transportation Summit. Alongside leaders from the Southern California Association of Governments, Orange County Transportation Authority and LA Metro, I shared how partnerships, innovation and long-term investments will help us move more than 15 million visitors seamlessly across the region. The discussion underscored how collaboration today can build a stronger, more connected Southern California for decades to come.
That future depends not only on planning but also on funding. State leaders recently reauthorized California’s Cap-and-Trade program through 2035, directing billions annually to environmental and transportation priorities. This includes $400 million for the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) and $200 million for the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP), both vital to sustaining our improvements and operations. The legislature also reaffirmed $1.078 billion in one-time transit funding for fiscal years 2025-27. I’m proud that Metrolink and our member agencies helped advocate for these resources, and I’m grateful to state leaders for recognizing the importance of keeping our state and region moving.
Looking ahead, we’re kicking off a busy fall with California Clean Air Day tomorrow, Oct. 1. We’ll be waiving fares all day to encourage Southern Californians to make more sustainable choices, like opting for public transit. On Earth Day, we welcomed more than 34,000 free boardings, showing what a single day of shared action can do. If you ride Metrolink regularly, I encourage you to bring a colleague or neighbor with you tomorrow. And, if you’ve been considering taking the train for the first time, this is the perfect moment to try it.