M any significant milestones were reached recently on Metro’s A Line. Four new stations opened in Glendora, San Dimas, La Verne, and Pomona — the first day of passenger fare operations was Sept.19. According to Metro, Claremont and Montclair are in line for the next two A Line stations, with scheduled openings in 2031. However, the SBCTA Board of Directors vote against the extension across the San Bernardino County line puts this at risk. Over the past 21 years, Montclair’s management team has spent a lot of their time as well as City and taxpayer dollars toward developing a transit district in North Montclair and pursuing the objectives of the North Montclair Downtown Specific Plan — a form-based code that provides guidance in development of Montclair’s transit-oriented district. The housing developments residents, business operators, and visitors see near and around the Montclair Transit Center represent this extensive effort. What Is the A Line and Why Is It Important to Montclair? The A Line is a public light-rail (non- polluting, all-electric) transit system that runs 57.6 miles between the cities of Pomona and Long Beach, with 48 station stops. Passengers The Path Forward
Proposed configuration of A Line platform and redesign of Montclair Transit Center
The A Line not only achieves the need to provide low-cost transit services, its connection to communities and other rail systems is unmatched, giving the region’s residents the enviable ability to travel both far and wide to access all that Southern California offers. Extending the A Line to the Montclair Transit Center would add an additional 3.2 miles of track to the system; add station stops in Claremont and Montclair; improve transit accessibility and regional connectivity; and, for the first time, introduce a light rail station in San Bernardino County, as directed by voters in their approval of Measure I. In 2004, the voters of San Bernardino County approved a 40-year extension to Measure I, a one-half cent sale tax for transportation and transit projects, with 8% of all Measure I revenue dedicated to transit projects. Every sales tax-related purchase made in Montclair contributes toward Measure I’s revenue earnings. The Expenditure Plan included in Measure I commits to extending light rail to the Montclair Transit Center, which is designated by state law (AB 1600) as the A Line’s eastern terminus. How the A Line Benefits Montclair: Based on the commitment by San Bernardino County voters
can board the A Line, operated by Metro, every 8 to 10 minutes at each of its station stops, from 4 a.m. to midnight each weekday, and disembark or reboard at any point along the line. During late evening hours the A Line may operate up to every 20 minutes. The A Line is the busiest rail system in Metro’s transit network, carrying over 15 million passengers in 2023, and is arguably Metro’s most successful and important rail line. The general passenger fare, per trip, is $1.75, with transfers to other systems in the Metro system included. Metro also offers the following discount programs:
■ The Life Program offers free or discounted rides to eligible low-income individuals and families. ■ The Senior TAP Pass Program offers reduced fare pricing for riders 62 and older. ■ K-12 students at participating schools can ride with a GoPass at no cost. ■ For full-time college students, Metro makes available discounted fares through the U-Pass and GoPass programs.
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