Surfers Now Able To Bring Boards On Metrolink Trains

Surfers are now able to bring their boards when traveling by Metrolink to Southland beaches.

Image by Mikeledray

The railroad has added surfboard storage netting to cars that previously were designated for bicycles.

Every train on all lines will have a bike-and- board car, each with room for five surfboards.

“This is a natural step for our service in making train travel a more convenient mode of transportation,” said Andrew Kotyuk, Metrolink’s board chair and a San Jacinto council member.

“People have consistently taken our trains to the beach, while avoiding the congested freeways. We are excited that surfers will now have that option, too.”

Metrolink first offered summer weekend trains to Orange and San Diego county beaches in 2012, and those connections are now part of regular weekly service.

Metrolink serves six Southern California counties.

Los Angeles County’s light rail system, operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, began allowing surfboards when its Expo Line to Santa Monica opened last year.

“I applaud Metrolink for its commitment to improving access to public transportation,” said Sen. Richard D. Roth, D-Riverside. “When a young constituent of mine expressed the hope to one day ride the train with his surfboard to San Clemente, Metrolink promptly responded with the commitment to explore a change to its policy.”

“I am pleased to see that surfers and bicyclists alike will be able to ride the train and fully take advantage of all our region has to offer,” he said.

In other news, police shot 3 pit bulls, killing two of them, after the dogs attacked a man and his dog in Downtown L.A.