They were up before the sun and ready to roll — dozens of commuters and train enthusiasts stepped aboard the first passenger-ready Metrolink Arrow rail cars early Monday, Oct. 24.
Arrow, the 9-mile passenger rail service between Redlands and San Bernardino, left for its maiden voyage from downtown San Bernardino at 5:37 a.m. Monday, reaching the University of Redlands shortly before 6 a.m.
Redlands resident Chris Evans boarded at the UofR station on East Park Avenue, hung his bike from a hook inside the train and settled into his seat for the 22-minute trip to work in downtown San Bernardino.
“I don’t like to drive,” said Evans, who before Monday routinely cycled to work. “I like to set an example for my coworkers,” he added with a laugh, “but I don’t think they care.”
Riding keeps him healthy, he said, and now the train will keep him safe.
He plans to continue making the 12-mile trek to work by bike in the morning, Evans said, but he’ll probably limit cycling to his morning commute.
After work, he said, “I have to share the road with cars that can go 80 mph, so it’s a lot safer for me to take the train to go home.”
Matt Sauls, who lives in Redlands, said he’s taken Metrolink trains from San Bernardino to work in Upland. But with a 2.5-mile gap from the Metrolink station to his office, he was less inclined to use transit for his commute. Now, with Arrow’s connections from Redlands to the wider Metrolink system, Sauls said he’s more willing to negotiate those final few miles to work.
“I’m super excited,” Sauls said. “I think it’s great for the city.”
Good morning from Redlands! First Arrow train arrives at @UofRedlands @goSBCTA @Metrolink @RedlandsNews pic.twitter.com/QWoWUwBxZ7
— Jessica Keating (@keating_edits) October 24, 2022
Construction on the $360 million Arrow service began in 2019, with crews replacing existing track between San Bernardino and Redlands. Four new train stations have been built, and zero-emission trains are expected to be introduced in 2024. Currently, the service uses low-emission diesel trains.
In addition to the Arrow service, Metrolink on Monday began express service in downtown Redlands with limited-stop service to Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. Passengers board the express train at the platform nearest the parking structure south of Stuart Avenue between Orange and Eureka streets, while the Arrow platform is accessed at the historic Santa Fe depot just west of Orange Street.
An application for quiet zones along the Arrow route is pending with the Federal Railroad Administration, according to Metrolink and San Bernardino County Transportation Authority officials, which will exempt Arrow train engineers from routinely sounding horns when approaching crossings, except in emergency situations. Until the application’s approval, Metrolink has suspended the earliest and latest Arrow trains to address concerns about intermittent horn blasts along the corridor.
Community members can learn more about the train at a celebration planned for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at the downtown Redlands station, 351 N. Orange St.
Celebrate Metrolink's new Arrow service at Redlands – Downtown Station (351 N Orange St) on Saturday, October 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn more about the new service from our staff and enjoy balloons, face painting, a taco truck and free Arrow giveaways! #ArrowService pic.twitter.com/h2F7ddcsJy
— MetrolinkArrow (@MetrolinkArrow) October 24, 2022
For train fares and schedule information, visit metrolinktrains.com/arrow and gosbcta.com/arrow.
