Francisco Oaxaca, Metrolink

1. Vision of Metrolink Stations and
Service
Jack R. Widmeyer Transportation Research Conference
Francisco Oaxaca
Metrolink
November 6, 2009

2. Metrolink
• Joint powers authority formed to operate
commuter rail service in So. Calif. beginning
in late 1992
• Provides service in 6 counties on nearly 400
miles of track to 55 stations
• Only operates train service
• Does not own stations or parking lots

3. Basic Challenges
• Land use decisions for station locations
driven by location of available rail corridor
and property
• Metrolink only operates a single mode
• Most station locations are not in ideal
locations for TOD – in many cases major
redevelopment would need to take place
• Metrolink role has been defined to not include
influencer of land use decisions

4. Metrolink’s Vision
• Station is an opportunity to enhance the local
community
– Residential
– Retail
– Commercial/business
– Passenger amenities
• Child care centers
• Cities should leverage having a station as
much as possible

5. Village Green - Sylmar
• A 186-unit project adjacent to the Sylmar/San
Fernando Metrolink multimodal transit station.
• Completed at the end of 1998 and offered homes
starting at $160,000.
• Homes combined proximity to public transit with
energy efficiency and sustainability features
• Metrolink worked with developer to offer buyer
incentives to try commuter train service
– Free rides to try service
– Buyers received up to two monthly passes

6. Village Green - Sylmar
• Also includes a
child care center
• 10% of buyers
became
Metrolink
commuters – 3%
was original
estimate

7. Child Care in the Community
• Where parents live
– Co-locating in/near housing, community/reccenters, schools
• Where parents work
• On commute route between…
– at transit and convenient to major corridors

8. Kids Station - Montclair

9. Chatsworth Station Child Care
Center

10. Ongoing Programs
• New Resident Program
– Targeted direct mail to new residents –buyers or
renters in selected areas near Metrolink stations
– Mailings include offers to try Metrolink service for
free for a short time
– Response rate roughly 3-4 times average for
similar direct mail campaigns

11. Ongoing Programs
• Developer Program
– Trial incentives to potential buyers
– Buyer reward incentives
• Monthly passes jointly provided by developer and
Metrolink to new homeowner
– The Olson Company
• Founders Walk in Buena Park
• Depot Walk in Orange
• SOCO Walk in Fullerton

12. The Future?
• Transit Village Concept
– Pedestrian friendly districts with frequent public
transit, taller buildings and a mix of commercial
and residential uses.
• Lancaster
• Corona
• Fontana
• San Bernardino
• Perris
• Riverside
• Santa Clarita
• Buena Park