Arrow (rail service)

Last updated

Arrow
Arrow train logo.svg
Arrow at Redlands-University station.jpg
Arrow at Redlands–University station
Overview
Owner San Bernardino County Transportation Authority
Locale San Bernardino Valley [1]
Termini
Stations5
Service
Type Commuter rail
System Metrolink
Operator(s) Metrolink [2]
Rolling stock Stadler FLIRT
Daily ridership416 (March 2024) [3]
History
OpenedOctober 24, 2022 (2022-10-24) [4]
Technical
Line length9 miles (14 km)
CharacterExclusive right of way with at-grade crossings
Track gauge 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Route map
Arrow (rail service) Arrow highlighted in lime
Legend
BSicon tCONTg ruby.svg
BSicon CONTg maroon.svg
BSicon tSTR ruby.svg
BSicon mABZgl maroon+.svg
BSicon KDSTeq.svg
Arrow Maintenance Facility
BSicon tKSTRe ruby.svg
BSicon KSTRa lime.svg
BSicon tKINTa maroon.svg
BSicon KSTRe maroon.svg
 San Bernardino–Downtown BSicon BUS3.svg
BSicon tSTR maroon.svg
BSicon lHST lime.svg
BSicon STR lime.svg
 San Bernardino–Tippecanoe
BSicon tSTR maroon.svg
BSicon lHST lime.svg
BSicon STR lime.svg
 Redlands–Esri
BSicon tKBHFe maroon.svg
BSicon STR lime.svg
 Redlands–Downtown
BSicon KHSTe lime.svg
 Redlands–University
BSicon tSTRq maroon.svg
BSicon STRq lime.svg
Other service sharing track
Wheelchair symbol.svg All stations are accessible
This diagram:

Arrow is a rail service in San Bernardino County, California, United States. Opened on October 24, 2022, the line runs from the San Bernardino Transit Center in Downtown San Bernardino in the west to the University of Redlands in Redlands in the east.

Contents

The line was planned and constructed by the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority as the Redlands Passenger Rail Project and is operated under contract by Metrolink, which integrates Arrow into its commuter rail system, making it the only line in the entire Metrolink system to be entirely in San Bernardino County and also became the second line not to serve Los Angeles Union Station nor cross the Los Angeles River since the opening of the Inland Empire–Orange County Line in October 1995. This is the first and only Metrolink line to utilize completely different rolling stock than the rest of the system.

Operation

Route

The 9-mile (14 km) route uses a former Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway line. [5] [6] While mostly a single track line, 2 miles (3.2 km) of double track were constructed in the middle of the route to allow vehicles to pass each other. [7] Low-volume freight service by BNSF Railway uses the route during overnight hours when Arrow service is not running for a few customers located on the portion of the line just west of San Bernardino–Tippecanoe station. [1]

Hours and frequency

Arrow trains run every day between approximately between 5:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. Trains arrive every 30 minutes in the early morning and evening and every 60 minutes from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. On weekends, trains run between 7:30 a.m. and 10 p.m., arriving every 60 minutes, except for a few hours without trains in the morning and afternoon. [8]

Most trip schedules are coordinated to allow relatively short connection times with San Bernardino Line trains at San Bernardino Transit Center for trips to and from Los Angeles. One trip early in the morning and two later in the evening will be added once Arrow receives permission to implement a quiet zone and stop sounding train horns at level crossings along the route. [8]

Stations

From west to east, the line starts at the San Bernardino Transit Center (also called San Bernardino–Downtown station), where passengers can transfer to several local and regional bus routes, Metrolink trains and the sbX bus rapid transit line, the line then makes stops at San Bernardino–Tippecanoe station, crosses under Interstate 10 and enters Redlands reaching the Redlands–Esri station, after that trains enter central Redlands serving Redlands–Downtown station, built alongside the historic Redlands Santa Fe Depot, [9] before reaching its final stop, Redlands–University station at the University of Redlands. [7] [10]

CityStationConnections
San Bernardino San Bernardino–Downtown
San Bernardino–Tippecanoe
Redlands Redlands–Esri
Redlands–Downtown Metrolink icon 2022.svg Metrolink: San Bernardino (Express Only)
Redlands–University

Rolling stock

Hydrogen-powered ZEMU Unit 3501 testing in Ramsen, Switzerland. Unit 4501 for the Arrow service testing in Ramsen, Switzerland (cropped).jpg
Hydrogen-powered ZEMU Unit 3501 testing in Ramsen, Switzerland.

FLIRT diesel multiple units built by Stadler Rail were selected for service on the line under a $31.4 million contract. [11] [12]

An additional FLIRT utilizing hydrogen fuel cell energy storage has been developed by Stadler for use on the line, with a planned introduction in 2024. [13] [14] [15]

Make & ModelTypeIn serviceNumbersQtyNotes
Stadler FLIRT DMU 2022 [4] 3401–34033
ZEMU 2024 [16] 35011Option for 3 additional units [13] [17]

History

The historic Redlands Depot, the site of Redlands-Downtown station, in 2006 before Arrow construction Redlands train station.jpg
The historic Redlands Depot, the site of Redlands–Downtown station, in 2006 before Arrow construction

Previous rail service in Redlands included the Pacific Electric "Red Car" trolley system and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. The PE's San Bernardino Line served Redlands from Los Angeles by way of its Eastern District, which opened in 1905 and was abandoned in 1937. [18] Extant infrastructure includes the PE right of way, [19] the ATSF's Redlands depot and the Redlands Trolley Barn. [20]

Proposals for a restored passenger rail connection between San Bernardino and Redlands were made as early as the 1990s, with the service originally projected to start in 1995. [21] This date has progressively been delayed to 2013, 2015, and 2018. [5] The project was then known as the Redlands Passenger Rail Project. [22] [23]

By 2011, the estimated cost of construction was between $130 million and $150 million. [6] The first contract for the project was awarded on November 2, 2011, by San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) to HDR, Inc. for engineering and environmental services. [1] The contract was an amendment to an existing contract for HDR to work on a separate project in the region, the extension of the San Bernardino Line to a new terminus at the San Bernardino Transit Center. [24]

In September 2010, the SANBAG considered options that included Metrolink train service, other types of electrified or diesel trains, and buses. [25] In April 2011, SANBAG announced that it had settled on conventional heavy rail equipment for the service. [5] This would be provided by refurbished ex-Metrolink rolling stock [21] operating on 30-minute peak period headways and hourly off-peak headways. [6] While SANBAG preferred electrified light rail, its $268.1 million cost was over the $250 million limit for the federal Small Starts transit grants that would have been used. [5] The estimated cost of heavy rail service was $198.6 million, which could be paid for using federal transportation grants that were based on population and sales tax revenues. [5]

The plan to use conventional heavy rail equipment faced community opposition over concerns about the noise generated by the trains. In 2015, SANBAG announced it would instead use smaller diesel multiple unit (DMUs) railcars to serve as the line's rolling stock. [7] [10] [26] The line would be constructed to allow some conventional Metrolink trains to continue to Redlands–Downtown station. [27] [9] [19]

The project encountered further delays, including the U.S. federal government's shutdown in October 2013, after which point the construction was slated to begin in fall of 2016. [28] In February 2014, the project was delayed again,[ citation needed ] when a SANBAG document said that "construction is planned to begin in late 2015 with operation in 2018." [29] In 2015, SANBAG officials said the line was expected to be complete and operating in 2020. [6] [7] By July 2016, construction was planned to begin in 2017 and service in 2020. [22] [10] [30] [26] In July 2016, the project received an additional $8.6 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation in the eighth round of the TIGER grant program. [30] Ahead of the groundbreaking, the service was officially dubbed Arrow in November 2016. [22] [31]

Four initial stops were proposed: two in Redlands and two in San Bernardino, with an initial projected ridership of between 1,600 and 1,800 passengers daily. [5] A fifth station near the headquarters of Esri at New York Street were added after the company offered funds for the addition. Initial plans called for a stop at Waterman Avenue in San Bernardino next to the Inland Regional Center, but the station was later moved to Tippecanoe Avenue instead, citing higher ridership due to the Inland Regional Center's heightened security after the San Bernardino mass shooting, as well as zoning modifications near the Waterman stop. [22] [31]

Construction

University station eastern terminus under construction, April 2020. University Station terminus of Arrow Metrolink Commuter rail under construction at University of Redlands in Redlands, CA.jpg
University station eastern terminus under construction, April 2020.

Groundbreaking for construction on the line took place on July 19, 2019. [32] The construction project included replacing all track on the line, rebuilding five bridges, and installing 24 grade crossings. [5]

During the planning process, the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) planned to have the area's public transit agency, Omnitrans, operate the line. But, by October 2019, Omnitrans was facing deficits that forced it to reduce service. Because of the Omnitrans' difficult financial situation, SBCTA voted to transfer the operation and construction duties to Metrolink. [2] The route and stations were shown as an under-construction extension of the San Bernardino Line on Metrolink's transit map that month.

Ribbon cutting celebrations were held on Friday, October 21, 2022, [33] and the line opened on Monday, October 24, 2022. [4]

Future

Plans for future improvements to the line were drawn up during the planning process. They call for additional passing sidings to allow 15-minute peak period headways and 30-minute off-peak headways. [6]

Service could potentially be extended/restored along the historic Redlands Loop around Highland and San Bernardino International Airport before returning to Downtown San Bernardino. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metrolink (California)</span> Commuter rail system in Southern California

Metrolink is a commuter rail system in Southern California, serving Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties, as well as to Oceanside in San Diego County. The system consists of eight lines and 69 stations operating on 545.6 miles (878.1 km) of track. This includes Arrow, which Metrolink operates under a contract with the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Bernardino Line</span> Commuter rail line in Southern California

The San Bernardino Line is a Metrolink line running between Downtown Los Angeles east through the San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire to San Bernardino, with limited express service to Redlands. It is one of the three initial lines on the original Metrolink system, along with the Santa Clarita Line and the Ventura County Line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omnitrans</span>

Omnitrans is a public transportation agency in San Bernardino County, California, United States. The largest transit operator within San Bernardino County, it serves the San Bernardino Valley. The agency was established in 1976 through a joint powers agreement and today includes 15 cities and portions of the unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County. In addition to the southwestern corner of San Bernardino County, Omnitrans provides service to parts of Riverside and Los Angeles Counties. Omnitrans currently carries about 11 million passengers per year. Omnitrans currently operates fixed route bus service, bus rapid transit and a paratransit service for the disabled, “Access.” Omnitrans operates throughout the urbanized area of southwestern San Bernardino County: south of the San Bernardino Mountains, from Upland, Montclair, and Chino in the west to Redlands, California and Yucaipa in the east. The Omnitrans service area covers approximately 480 square miles (1,200 km2).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot</span> Railway station in San Bernardino, California

The San Bernardino Santa Fe Depot is a Mission Revival Style passenger rail terminal in San Bernardino, California, United States. It has been the primary station for the city, serving Amtrak today, and the Santa Fe and Union Pacific Railroads in the past. Until the mid-20th century, the Southern Pacific Railroad had a station 3/4 of a mile away. It currently serves one Amtrak and two Metrolink lines. The depot is a historical landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Passenger and Freight Depot.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pomona–Downtown station</span> Train station in downtown Pomona, California, US

Pomona–Downtown station, is a train station in Pomona, California, United States. It is primarily served by Metrolink’s Riverside Line commuter rail service. The station is also served by limited Amtrak long-distance inter-city rail service, with the thrice-weekly round trip of the combined Sunset Limited/Texas Eagle. It is owned and operated by the city of Pomona.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Riverside–Downtown station</span> Train station in Riverside, California, U.S.

Riverside–Downtown station is a train station in Riverside, California, United States. It is served by three Metrolink commuter rail lines – the 91/Perris Valley Line, Inland Empire–Orange County Line, and Riverside Line – and Amtrak intercity rail service on the Southwest Chief. The station is owned by the Riverside County Transportation Commission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fontana station (California)</span>

Fontana station is a train station served by Metrolink San Bernardino Line commuter rail, located in the city of Fontana, California. It is immediately adjacent to Fontana's Downtown District. The station opened on November 22, 1993, and is owned by the City of Fontana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rancho Cucamonga station</span> Commuter rail station in California

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montclair Transcenter</span> Intermodal transit center

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Bernardino Associated Governments</span> Government agency in San Bernardino County, California, United States

San Bernardino Associated Governments was an association of the San Bernardino County local governments and the regional transportation planning agency and regional planning organization for the county, with policy makers consisting of mayors, councilmembers, and county supervisors. It was also the funding agency for the county's transit systems, which include Omnitrans, Victor Valley Transit Authority, Morongo Basin Transit Authority, Mountain Area Regional Transit Authority, Barstow Area Transport, and Needles Area Transit.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Bernardino Transit Center</span> Transit hub in San Bernardino, California, US

The San Bernardino Transit Center is an intermodal transit center in downtown San Bernardino, California, United States. It is owned and operated by Omnitrans, the area's public transportation agency. Opened in September 2015, the center consolidates three Metrolink commuter rail services and more than a dozen local bus services, including the sbX bus rapid transit service into one central location.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Redlands Santa Fe Depot District</span> Historic district in Redlands, California, US

The Redlands Santa Fe Depot District is a historic commercial district and station located in downtown Redlands. The district is centered on Redlands' Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway depot, which was established in 1888.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Bernardino County Transportation Authority</span> Planning and operating agency in California

The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) is the successor to San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG). They are responsible for administering the Measure I half-cent tax which voters in San Bernardino County, California, passed most recently in 2004. The SBCTA conducts transportation planning, construction, and operation in San Bernardino County. The SBCTA is a joint powers authority comprising the entire county and its cities. Every city and county supervisor is provided one seat on the board, and it also includes a nonvoting member from the California Department of Transportation's (Caltrans) District 8.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Redlands–Downtown station</span> Train station in Redlands, California, US

Redlands–Downtown station is a rail station serving downtown Redlands, California, United States. The station was built in 1910 for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway and operated until 1938. The facility was preserved and reopened on October 24, 2022 as part of the Arrow commuter rail service.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Redlands–University station</span> Train station in Redlands, California

Redlands–University station is a terminal station on the Arrow rail service that serves the University of Redlands. The station was built as part of the Arrow service and opened on October 24, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Redlands–Esri station</span> Train station in Redlands, California, US

Redlands–Esri station is a rail station in Redlands, California. It is located north of the headquarters of the geographic information system company Esri, who funded the station's construction. The station opened on October 24, 2022 and is served directly by the Arrow rail line. Metrolink's San Bernardino Line express trains to Redlands–Downtown utilize the main track, but do not stop at this station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Bernardino–Tippecanoe station</span> Train station in San Bernardino, California, US

San Bernardino–Tippecanoe station is a rail station located on Tippecanoe Avenue in San Bernardino, California. The station opened on October 24, 2022, and is served directly by the Arrow rail line. Metrolink's San Bernardino Line express trains to Redlands–Downtown utilize the main track, but do not stop at this station.

Streetcars in Redlands transported people across the city and region from 1889 until 1936. The city's network of street railways peaked around 1908 before the patchwork of separate companies was consolidated under the Pacific Electric.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Arrow commuter service launched in California". Railway Gazette International. October 25, 2022.
  2. 1 2 Scauzillo, Steve (October 21, 2019). "$520 million deficit has Omnitrans eyeing layoffs and bus-line reductions, but is it enough?". The Sun. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  3. ↑ "Fact Sheet FY2023-24 Q3 (January 2024 – March 2024)" (PDF). Metrolink. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 Asperin, Alexa Mae (October 24, 2022). "Metrolink's new 'Arrow' train service from Redlands to San Bernardino begins". KTTV . Fox Television Stations . Retrieved October 24, 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 MacDuff, Cassie (May 16, 2011). "Imperfect Rail Solution". The Press-Enterprise . Riverside, California: Press-Enterprise Corporation. Archived from the original on February 24, 2015. Retrieved November 5, 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 "Contract awarded for California commuter line". Trains (Registration required). Waukesha, Wisconsin: Kalmbach Publishing. November 2, 2011. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Emerson, Sandra (September 15, 2015). "SanBAG gives updates on cost, timeline of Redlands rail project". Redlands Daily Facts . Retrieved December 17, 2015.
  8. 1 2 "Metrolink Arrow Service". Metrolink . Retrieved October 15, 2022.
  9. 1 2 Emerson, Sandra (November 15, 2017). "What new ownership at Redlands Santa Fe Depot could mean to future rail service". Redlands Daily Facts. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  10. 1 2 3 "Redlands Passenger Rail Project" (PDF). SANBAG. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 22, 2015. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Technical Proposal" (PDF). San Bernardino County Transportation Authority. Stadler. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 13, 2017. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  12. ↑ Emerson, Sandra (July 28, 2017). "Redlands takes next step in bringing passenger rail service to city". Redlands Daily Facts. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  13. 1 2 "Stadler to deliver hydrogen-powered train to SBCTA". Railway Age. November 15, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  14. ↑ Luczak, Marybeth (October 13, 2023). "California Finalizes Order for 29 HFC Trainsets". Railway Age. Retrieved October 14, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Hydrogen trainset arrives in San Bernardino, Calif". June 26, 2024.
  16. ↑ "ZE Passenger Locomotive Power, by the Numbers". Railway Age. September 4, 2023. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  17. ↑ Harden, Olivia (August 19, 2024). "California's new $20 million train is unlike anything else in the US". www.sfgate.com. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Eastern District: Redlands". Pacific Electric Railway Historical Society. Archived from the original on December 5, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  19. 1 2 Emerson, Sandra (November 1, 2017). "Take a virtual tour of Redlands rail service that will begin in 2020". Redlands Daily Facts. Retrieved January 8, 2018.
  20. ↑ Muckenfuss, Mark (July 25, 2015). "Last remnant of the red cars". The Press-Enterprise . Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  21. 1 2 3 Sears, Jan (May 8, 2011). "TRANSPORTATION: Metrolink trains will connect Redlands, San Bernardino". The Press-Enterprise. Riverside, California: Press-Enterprise Corporation. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  22. 1 2 3 4 Emerson, Sandra (November 16, 2016). "Redlands Passenger Rail Service to be Called Arrow". Redlands Daily Facts. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  23. ↑ Emerson, Sandra (May 6, 2015). "Redlands City Council updated on Redlands Passenger Rail project". Redlands Daily Facts . Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  24. ↑ "Redlands Passenger Rail Project contract awarded". Railway Gazette International . Sutton, Surrey: DVV Media UK Ltd. November 2, 2011. Archived from the original on August 4, 2017. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  25. ↑ Sears, Jan (September 9, 2010). "Passenger rail connection to Redlands still years away". The Press-Enterprise . Riverside, California: Press-Enterprise Corporation. Archived from the original on December 23, 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  26. 1 2 Emerson, Sandra (November 7, 2015). "SanBAG begins design of Redlands Passenger Rail Project". Redlands Daily Facts . Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  27. ↑ Emerson, Sandra (August 19, 2016). "Where Redlands rail project is heading". The Press-Enterprise . Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  28. ↑ Waldner, Erin (November 1, 2013). "REDLANDS: Passenger Rail Plan Slowed by Shutdown". The Press-Enterprise . Riverside, California: Press-Enterprise Corporation. Archived from the original on January 16, 2014. Retrieved January 15, 2014.
  29. ↑ "Redlands Passenger Rail Project Fact Sheet" (PDF). San Bernardino, California: San Bernardino Associated Governments. February 26, 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 22, 2015. Retrieved April 21, 2014.
  30. 1 2 Emerson, Sandra (July 28, 2016). "Redlands Passenger Rail Project gets federal grant boost". Redlands Daily Facts. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  31. 1 2 "Next Stop: Tippecanoe Avenue in San Bernardino". Redlands Passenger Rail Project Newsletter. SANBAG. December 8, 2016. Archived from the original on March 21, 2017. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  32. ↑ "Groundbreaking Held For Redlands-To-San-Bernardino Rail Line". Redlands-Loma Linda, CA Patch. July 22, 2019.
  33. ↑ "Redlands celebrates completion of Arrow passenger rail line". Redlands Daily Facts . Ron Hasse. October 21, 2022. Retrieved October 24, 2022.

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