Speaking before the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Planning and Programming Committee on July 17, Santa Clarita Mayor Marsha McLean (pictured) advocated for the Antelope Valley Line Study to be presented to the full Metro Board.

McLean urged the committee members to recommend the study be presented at the next board meeting on July 25 for additional consideration and implementation.

“The study identifies strategic improvements that can be constructed and phased in over time to deliver regular and reliable service to the communities, like Santa Clarita, which are served by the Antelope Valley Line,” McLean said. “I am delighted to see that opportunities exist to provide bi-directional, 30-minute weekday service between Union Station and Santa Clarita in the near future.”

The 76.6 mile-long AV line has the third-highest ridership in Metro’s system with about 7,000 passengers daily utilizing up to 42 trains per day. The terrain and single-tracking along the line in some areas force trains to travel at a slower speed which results in an estimated travel time of about two hours between Los Angeles Union Station and Lancaster.

“Enhancements to this line will make public transit more accessible and efficient for our residents,” McLean said. “I urge Metro to prioritize the scenarios within the study that can move forward expeditiously, identify funding to secure these early investments and coordinate with the Southern California Regional Rail Authority Board of Directors to include the study, its findings, and early investment opportunities within the Southern California Optimized Rail Expansion (SCORE) program.”

The committee approved the study to move forward to the full board. The full Metro Board is slated to receive the presentation on the Antelope Valley Line Study at the July 25 meeting.

“I encourage members of the public to attend the Metro Board meeting to express their support for added train service to our City and along the entire Antelope Valley Line,” McLean said.

The Metro Board meeting will take place at 10 a.m. on July 25 at One Gateway Plaza, 3rd Floor, Metro Board Room, Los Angeles 90012-2952. To join the mayor at this meeting, you can conveniently take Metrolink to Union Station and walk a very short distance to the Metro Building.