91/Perris Valley Line

{{Infobox rail line

| color = {{rcr|Metrolink (California)|91/Perris Valley}}

| name = 91/Perris Valley Line

| image = FullertonTrainBridge.jpg

| image_width = 300px

| caption = Pedestrian bridge and tracks at the Fullerton station

| type = Commuter rail

| system = Metrolink

| status =

| locale = Southern California

| start = {{scax|L.A. Union Station}}

| end = {{scax|Perris–South}}

| stations = 12 (2 planned)

| routes =

| daily_ridership = 1,597 (June 2023){{Cite web |date=June 30, 2023 |title=Quarterly Fact Sheet Q4 2022-2023 |url=https://metrolinktrains.com/globalassets/about/agency/facts-and-numbers/fact_sheet_q4_fy22-23.pdf |access-date=November 3, 2023 |website=Metrolink}}

| open = {{Start date|2002|05}}

| close =

| owner =

| operator = Metrolink

| character = Elevated and surface-level

| stock =

| linelength = {{convert|83.8|mi}}

| tracklength =

| tracks =

| gauge = {{track gauge|ussg|allk=on}}

| electrification =

| speed = {{convert|33|mph|abbr=on}} (avg. Q4 2015-16)

| elevation =

| map = {{switcher

| {{maplink-road|from=Perris Valley Line.map}} 91/Perris Valley Line highlighted in blue

| Show interactive map

| {{91/Perris Valley Line|inline=yes}}

| Show route diagram

}}

The 91/Perris Valley Line, formerly known as the 91 Line,{{cite web|url=http://www.metrolinktrains.com/pdfs/Facts&Numbers/Fact_Sheets/Fact_Sheet_2016_Q4.pdf|title=Metrolink Fact Sheet|year=2016|access-date=2016-10-21|publisher=Southern California Regional Rail Authority|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828143628/https://www.metrolinktrains.com/pdfs/Facts%26Numbers/Fact_Sheets/Fact_Sheet_2016_Q4.pdf|archive-date=2017-08-28|url-status=dead}} is a commuter rail route operated by Metrolink that runs from Los Angeles to Perris in Southern California, mostly paralleling State Route 91 between {{scax|Riverside-Downtown}} and {{scax|Buena Park}} stations. Operating since May 2002, the route runs on the Southern Transcon line owned by BNSF Railway,"Transportation System Passenger Rail". Southern California Association of Governments. https://metrolinktrains.com/globalassets/about/agency/score/dconnectsocal_passenger-rail.pdf as well as the Riverside County Transportation Commission-owned San Jacinto Branch Line. Services are primarily operated along the entire route between {{scax|L.A. Union Station}} and {{scax|Perris–South}}, while some trips use {{scax|Riverside–Downtown}} as a terminus.

History

Service on the 91 Line began on May 6, 2002, between Union Station and Riverside–Downtown.{{cite news|last=McKibben|first=Dave|title=Riverside-L.A. Commute by Rail Cut to 90 Minutes |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/34601152/riversidela_commute_by_rail_cut_to/|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=May 7, 2002|page=13|via = Newspapers.com|access-date = August 6, 2019 }} Metrolink began operating limited weekend service on the 91 Line in July 2014.{{cite web|title=Metrolink Introduces 91 Line Weekend Service|url=http://metrolinktrains.com/news/page/title/91_weekend_service.html|publisher=Metrolink|access-date=July 5, 2014}} Originally, it started production in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. In 1882 the Southern Pacific Railroad (SP) built a line between Los Angeles and Riverside County. It was first built to grow crops and agricultural regions.https://metrolinktrains.com/schedules/ In 2002, the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) started efforts to restore computer rail services along this linehttps://www.rctc.org

=Weekend service=

The Metrolink 91/Perris Valley Line weekend service began on October 19, 2019 between Perris-South Metrolink Station and Los Angeles Union Station, and consists of 2 round trip trains (one-way to L.A. in the morning and one-way back to Perris in the afternoon and evening).

=Extension=

The Perris Valley Line is a 24-mile-long extension of the original 91 Line into the Perris Valley. The extension runs on the San Jacinto Branch Line, which parallels Interstate 215.{{cite web|url=http://www.rctc.org/projects/rail-projects/perris-valley-line|title=Perris Valley Line|publisher=Riverside County Transportation Commission|access-date=December 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151219214439/http://www.rctc.org/projects/rail-projects/perris-valley-line|archive-date=2015-12-19|url-status=dead}}

The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) purchased the BNSF San Jacinto Branch Line in 1993, soon after Metrolink began operating.{{cite web|url=http://www.perrisvalleyline.info/schedule|title=Schedule|publisher=Riverside County Transportation Commission|access-date=December 13, 2015|archive-date=December 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222152931/http://www.perrisvalleyline.info/schedule|url-status=dead}} Planning for the extension formally began in 2002. After studying the service alternatives available for the Perris Valley, RCTC selected commuter rail service in 2004. The Federal Transit Administration provided funding for the extension in 2007.{{citation needed|date=December 2015}} In 2009, both the Federal Transit Administration and RCTC decided to conduct further studies into the project. The Federal Transit Administration decided to require a Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA) to refresh the 2004 information and to obtain new public comment. RCTC had decided to prepare a full draft environmental impact report (EIR) to clarify concerns and address new station site options. The draft EIR was released for public comment on April 5, 2010, with the public comment period closing on May 24, 2010. The draft SEA was completed and the comment period for the SEA ended on January 6, 2011. As of October 2012, comments received on both the EIR and the SEA were under review.

Seven stations were originally planned by RCTC—five to open along with the extension, and two to be built in the future. In the April 2010 CEQA-mandated environmental impact report,{{Cite web |url=http://perrisvalleyline.info/uploads/media_items/final-eir-pvl-environmental-impact-report-volume-2.original.pdf |title=Draft environmental impact report |access-date=2015-12-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304072450/http://perrisvalleyline.info/uploads/media_items/final-eir-pvl-environmental-impact-report-volume-2.original.pdf |archive-date=2016-03-04 |url-status=dead }} three stations were dropped: the two future stations, one on the Cajalco Expressway near its junction with Interstate 215 in Perris and one in Box Springs within Riverside; and a station adjacent to UC Riverside, which was removed due to complaints by local residents.{{cite news|url=http://www.pe.com/localnews/perris/stories/PE_News_Local_W_perrisline13.35e697d.html|title=Perris line report includes few changes|last=Begley|first=Dug|date=April 12, 2010|work=The Press-Enterprise|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717135109/http://www.pe.com/localnews/perris/stories/PE_News_Local_W_perrisline13.35e697d.html|archive-date=July 17, 2011}} In response to these removals, RCTC officials stated that more stations could be built in the future if necessary. A local community group filed a CEQA lawsuit against the extension in 2011;{{Cite news|url=http://www.pe.com/2011/08/26/inland-lawsuit-filed-over-planned-perris-valley-line-train-project/|title=INLAND: Lawsuit filed over planned Perris Valley Line train project|last=Begley|first=Dug|date=2011-08-26|work=The Press-Enterprise|access-date=2017-05-06}} the group and RCTC settled the suit in 2013.{{Cite news|url=http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/passenger/commuter-regional/settlement-reached-on-metrolink-perris-valley-line.html|title=Deal frees Metrolink Perris Valley Line|last=Bowen|first=Douglas John|date=2013-07-12|work=Railway Age|access-date=2017-05-06|language=en-gb}}

Led by RCTC, construction on the extension began in October 2013. Originally planned to start in December 2015,{{cite news|url=http://www.pe.com/articles/perris-776800-line-county.html|title=Perris Valley Line project is on track|work=The Press-Enterprise|first=David|last=Downey|date=August 13, 2015}}{{cite news|last=Downey|first=David|url=http://www.pe.com/articles/riverside-750051-rosso-county.html|title=Transportation: Perris Valley Line taking shape|newspaper=The Press-Enterprise|date=September 14, 2014|access-date=May 9, 2015}} public service on the extension was delayed to February 2016, then March 2016, then scheduled for sometime in the spring.{{cite news|last=Sheridan|first=Tom|url=http://www.pe.com/articles/testing-794263-trains-officials.html|title=PERRIS VALLEY LINE: High-speed tests to help set opening date for new commuter route|newspaper=The Press Enterprise|date=February 12, 2016|access-date=February 15, 2016}}{{cite news|url=http://www.inlandnewstoday.com/story.php?s=41385|title=Perris Valley Metrolink start-up delayed|newspaper=Inland News Today|date=March 22, 2016|access-date=March 28, 2016}} The delay had been attributed to construction of the Perris–South station.{{cite news|url=http://www.inlandnewstoday.com/story.php?s=41850|title=Construction delays start of Perris Valley Metrolink service|date=April 12, 2016|newspaper=Inland News Today|access-date=April 13, 2016}} After numerous delays, the extension opened June 6, 2016.{{cite news|url=http://www.pe.com/articles/perris-802570-valley-line.html|title=METROLINK: Perris Valley Line set to open June 6 (UPDATE)|last=Sheridan|first=Tom|date=2016-05-11|newspaper=The Press-Enterprise|access-date=2016-05-12}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.pe.com/articles/train-804917-perris-line.html|title=TRANSPORTATION: Perris Valley Line rolls out right on schedule|last=Sheridan|first=Tom|date=2016-06-06|newspaper=The Press-Enterprise|access-date=2016-06-06}} Metrolink inconsistently uses the terms "91/Perris Valley Line" and "91 Line" to refer to both the extension and the entire rail line.{{Cite press release|title=Metrolink to begin 91/Perris Valley Line service June 6|date=2016-05-12|publisher=Metrolink|location=Los Angeles|url=http://www.metrolinktrains.com/news/news_item/news_id/1096.html|access-date=2016-06-06}}

The extension was projected to cost $248 million with funding coming from the state, a $75 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration, and Measure A, Riverside County's special sales tax for transportation projects.{{cite news|first=Rick|last=Rojas|url=http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-metrolink-perris-federal-grant-20131209-story.html|title=$75-million federal grant to help fund Metrolink expansion to Perris|work=Los Angeles Times|date=December 9, 2013}}{{cite news|first=Dan|last=Weikel|url=http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-california-commute-20150421-story.html|title=Metrolink will extend 91 line to south Perris|work=Los Angeles Times|date=April 21, 2015}}{{Update inline|date=October 2016}}

Future development

In 2005, an RCTC-commissioned study determined that extending the line to San Jacinto{{Cite web |url=https://www.cityofhemet.org/DocumentCenter/View/4513 |title=Archived copy |access-date=2018-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180526011521/http://www.cityofhemet.org/DocumentCenter/View/4513 |archive-date=2018-05-26 |url-status=dead }} via an underused rail line owned by RCTC, and/or to Temecula via a brand-new trackage, would be feasible.{{cite web |url=http://www.rctc.org/rail/2005-commuter-rail-feasibility-study |title=2005 Commuter Rail Feasibility Study |publisher=Riverside County Transportation Commission |access-date=December 13, 2015 |archive-date=December 22, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222084336/http://www.rctc.org/rail/2005-commuter-rail-feasibility-study |url-status=dead }}

In April, 2023, $15.5 million in funding was allocated by the state following a joint application between Metrolink and the Riverside County Transportation Committee (RCTC) for a double-track project along Metrolink’s 91/Perris Valley Line between the cities of Moreno Valley and Perris. The project is estimated to be completed by late 2025.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rctc.org/projects/metrolink-double-track-project-moreno-valley-perris/|title=Metrolink Double Track Project: Moreno Valley-Perris|website=Riverside County Transportation Commission|accessdate=7 May 2023}}

Construction of an infill station in Placentia is planned, but has been delayed due to a lack of cooperation from BNSF, who owns the right-of-way.{{cite web|title=Metrolink Station and Parking Structure|url=http://www.placentia.org/index.aspx?nid=705|publisher=City of Placentia|access-date=19 October 2016}}

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) also has plans for an infill station serving Pico Rivera, located between {{scax|Commerce}} and {{scax|Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs}} stations.{{cite news |last1=Scauzillo |first1=Steve |title=Plans for new Metrolink stations in Boyle Heights and Pico Rivera press on |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2023/06/27/metrolink-may-get-two-new-stations-in-la-county-boyle-heights-and-pico-rivera/ |access-date=October 28, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Daily News |publisher=MediaNews Group |date=June 27, 2023}}

In 2024, Riverside County Transportation Committee (RCTC), announced the construction of a infill station located in Mead Valley. Construction is expected to begin in late 2025, and open to the public in 2029.{{Cite web |title=Mead Valley Metrolink Station/Mobility Hub |url=https://www.rctc.org/projects/mead-valley-metrolink-station-mobility-hub/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=Riverside County Transportation Commission |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Clay |first=Arianna |date=2024-11-11 |title=New Metrolink station coming to Mead Valley |url=https://www.pressenterprise.com/2024/11/11/new-metrolink-station-coming-to-mead-valley/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=Press Enterprise |language=en-US}}

Stations

There are twelve stations on the 91/Perris Valley Line:{{cite web|url=http://www.metrolinktrains.com/schedules/line/name/91%20Line/service_id/1150.html|title=91/Perris Valley Line Schedule|publisher=Metrolink|access-date=June 6, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.metrolinktrains.com/content/media/03/files/MTL181_NewsletterPDF%20Format%20hr(m1bh).pdf|title=Metrolink Extension to Perris Now on Fast Track|date=August–September 2013|publisher=Metrolink|access-date=September 2, 2013}}

class="wikitable plainrowheaders"

!Station

!Connections

! colspan="2" |Location

| {{rint|losangeles|metrolink}} Metrolink: {{rcb|Metrolink (California)|Antelope Valley|inline=route}} {{rcb|Metrolink (California)|Orange County|inline=route}} {{rcb|Metrolink (California)|Riverside|inline=route}} {{rcb|Metrolink (California)|San Bernardino|inline=route}} {{rcb|Metrolink (California)|Ventura County|inline=route}}
{{rint|us|amtrak}} Amtrak: Coast Starlight, Pacific Surfliner, Southwest Chief, Sunset Limited, Texas Eagle
{{rint|losangeles|lacmta}} Metro: {{LACMTA icon|A|showtext=yes}} {{LACMTA icon|B|showtext=yes}} {{LACMTA icon|D|showtext=yes}} {{LACMTA icon|J|showtext=yes}}
{{rint|air|link=FlyAway (bus)}} FlyAway to LAX

| Los Angeles

| rowspan="2" = bgcolor = #f8f8f8| Los Angeles County

| {{rint|losangeles|metrolink}} Metrolink: {{rcb|Metrolink (California)|Orange County|inline=route}}

| Norwalk

| {{rint|losangeles|metrolink}} Metrolink: {{rcb|Metrolink (California)|Orange County|inline=route}}

| Buena Park

| rowspan="2" = bgcolor = #f8f8f8| Orange County

| {{rint|losangeles|metrolink}} Metrolink: {{rcb|Metrolink (California)|Orange County|inline=route}}
{{rint|us|amtrak}} Amtrak: Pacific Surfliner, Southwest Chief

| Fullerton

| {{rint|losangeles|metrolink}} Metrolink: {{rcb|Metrolink (California)|Inland Empire–Orange County|inline=route}}

| rowspan="2"| Corona

| rowspan="8" = bgcolor = #f8f8f8| Riverside County

| {{rint|losangeles|metrolink}} Metrolink: {{rcb|Metrolink (California)|Inland Empire–Orange County|inline=route}}

| rowspan="3"| Riverside

| {{rint|losangeles|metrolink}} Metrolink: {{rcb|Metrolink (California)|Inland Empire–Orange County|inline=route}} {{rcb|Metrolink (California)|Riverside|inline=route}}
{{rint|us|amtrak}} Amtrak: Southwest Chief

| Moreno Valley

| rowspan="2"| Perris

The stations at West Corona, North Main Corona, Riverside-La Sierra, and Riverside-Downtown are also served by the Inland Empire–Orange County Line; the station at Riverside-Downtown is also served by the Riverside Line. Although the 91 Line follows the same route through Los Angeles County as the Orange County Line, the 91 Line does not stop at the Commerce station.{{cite web|title=Metrolink Route Map|url=http://www.metrolinktrains.com/pdfs/MetrolinkMap.pdf|publisher=Metrolink|date=May 9, 2011|access-date=September 2, 2013}}

References

External links

[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/schedules/html.php?id=781 91 Line Schedule]
{{Twitter}}
[http://www.metrolinktrains.com/agency/page/title/Perris_Valley_Line Perris Valley Line] at the Metrolink website
[https://web.archive.org/web/20130616053957/http://perrisvalleyline.info/ Perris Valley Line extension project website]

Category:Metrolink (California) lines

Category:Public transportation in Los Angeles County, California

Category:Public transportation in Orange County, California

Category:Public transportation in Riverside County, California

Category:Transportation in the Inland Empire

Category:Transportation in Corona, California

Category:Transportation in Fullerton, California

Category:Transportation in Riverside, California

Category:Buena Park, California

Category:Norwalk, California

Category:Santa Fe Springs, California

Category:Perris, California

Category:Railway lines opened in 2002

Category:2002 establishments in California

Category:Railway lines opened in 2016

Category:2016 establishments in California

Category:Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway lines