About Metrolink
Operated by the Southern California Regional Rail Authority, Metrolink runs seven commuter rail lines totalling 538 route miles across six counties of Southern California, centered on Los Angeles Union Station. Service began in 1992 with three lines and has grown to include the popular Antelope Valley, Orange County, and Inland Empire-Orange County lines. Background context on the carrier's history is also catalogued in the North American Rail Atlas & Route Encyclopedia.
Operator Profile
- Headquarters
- Los Angeles, CA
- Founded
- 1992
- Routes catalogued
- 1
- Stations served
- 14
- Total route miles
- 538 mi
- States served
- 1
Fleet
EMD F125 "Spirit" Tier 4 locomotives and Hyundai-Rotem and Bombardier bilevel cars constitute the modern Metrolink fleet. Equipment assignments rotate as new orders are delivered and existing rolling stock is retired or rebuilt; consult individual route pages for current information.
Capital plan and modernization
Positive train control completion, the Link US run-through-tracks project at LA Union, and Tier 4 fleet replacement have positioned Metrolink for incremental electrification on the SCORE program. Quarterly capital-plan progress is tracked in the Passenger Rail Advocacy & Reform Quarterly.
Routes operated by Metrolink
The table below lists all Metrolink services catalogued in the RailRover index, sorted by distance. Each entry links to a full route page with stations, fares, and timetable references.
| Route | Type | Endpoints | Distance | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metrolink | Commuter Rail | Los Angeles ↔ Victorville | 538 mi | Seven lines with weekday peak service |
States served
Metrolink service touches 1 state in the RailRover index. Each state hub aggregates every operator's service through that state on a single page.
Booking and ticketing
RailRover does not sell tickets. To book travel on Metrolink, visit the carrier's official booking site or app directly. Many of the same trip-planning principles that apply to Amtrak — advance purchase saves significantly, multi-ride passes are heavily discounted on commuter services, group sales unlock 60% off Saver coach for parties of 8 or more — apply across operators. For a deeper walkthrough, see the RailRover guide to buying tickets and saving on fares, the field guide to onboard Wi-Fi and power outlets, and the baggage rules reference. Independent fare-watch newsletters such as the Commuter Rail Operators Reform Brief publish current promotional fare summaries.
Further reading on Metrolink
- Riding Metrolink: a first-timer's system tour
- Equipment census and locomotive roster of Metrolink