The Path Forward
Proposed configuration of A Line platform and redesign of Montclair Transit Center
well as a new central downtown core that includes an expansive rambla-style boulevard — a broad avenue lined with trees, shops and cafes that would serve as a gathering place for outdoor entertainment and events. A market study conducted by a private research firm demonstrates that extension of the A Line to the Transit Center represents positive economic news for Montclair, surrounding communities and San Bernardino County. ■ For San Bernardino County, extension of the A Line would generate new and ongoing tax revenue that far exceeds the cost for constructing, maintaining and operating the A Line’s half-mile extension across the Los Angeles County border. ■ For Montclair, extension of the A Line would generate additional new development in North Montclair, including housing; commercial, office, education, and medical office spaces; restaurant and entertainment venues; and a new hotel. Montclair would also realize improved property values; increased sales and property tax revenue; access to a wider range of state and federal grants; improvements to the environment through reductions in both vehicle miles travelled and emission of pollutants. Overall, Montclair residents would realize significant quality- of-life opportunities that include inexpensive and expanded access and connectivity to jobs and centers of health, education, adventure, entertainment, culture and shopping — all for a $1.75, or less, per trip on the A Line. Neighboring cities would also realize shared benefits associated with extension of the A Line to the Montclair Transit Center. Extending the A Line into San Bernardino County would offer an array of economic and quality-of-life benefits to both residents and government agencies.
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 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.
Why SBCTA Voted Against the Extension: The SBCTA Board’s decision centered around the following issues: 1. Structural Framework. Several Directors expressed frustration that construction and management of the Montclair extension rests with Los Angeles County agencies, including Metro and the Foothill Gold Line Extension Construction Authority (Construction Authority) — agencies that Directors argued should have no primary role in relation to building and operating the A Line one-half mile into San Bernardino County without SBCTA’s direct control and oversight. In fact, the Construction Authority is a State of California entity, not a creature of LA County, charged by the State, via AB 1600, to build the light rail system in both Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. Further, AB 1600 also charges Metro with the duty and responsibility to operate and maintain
How the A Line Benefits Montclair: Based on the commitment by San Bernardino County voters and the continued support of the SBCTA to extend light rail to the Montclair Tran- sit Center, Montclair has also developed a Master Site Plan to develop the Transit Center parking fields into a transit village that will include (i) a multi-level 1,600± space parking structure, (ii) passenger terminal serving ground transit operators (bus services) and the Metrolink and A Line station platforms, and (iii) affordable and market rate housing, with a mix of com- mercial services. CIM Group, owners of Montclair Place, the City’s regional shopping center, in cooperation with Montclair, has also developed a specific plan (the Montclair Place District Specific Plan) designed to capitalize on, and promote transit-oriented development that includes a phased approach to introduce new retail and residential development projects onsite, as
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.
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