Metrolink SCORE(s) state funds for regional rail improvements

Metrolink’s Southern California Optimized Rail Expansion (SCORE) Program received what was described as the first down payment on the program from the California Transportation Commission (CTC).

CTC awarded $6.5 million for Metrolink to begin design, rail operations modeling and environmental assessment on the first projects in the SCORE Program. The program is a $10-billion plan to improve regional rail by making service more reliable in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

The award is the first of an $856 million grant from the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) to provide grants from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and Senate Bill 1 to fund transformative capital improvements.

“SCORE is a regional approach to improve our system to provide 15- and 30-minute service with some lines operating more often during peak hours,” said Metrolink CEO Art Leahy. “SCORE captures public dollars generated by local taxpayers and returns service that is more frequent and more reliable.”

Of the $10 billion cost of SCORE, Metrolink has secured $1.5 billion and the agency will continue to work with partners to seek additional federal, state and local grants.

“Moving people and goods is critical to the region,” said CTC Chair Fran Inman. “SCORE helps commuters who drive longer distances and provides dedicated tracks to protect freight shipments from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the busiest port complex in North America.”