AZUSA: Pre-Revenue Service Continues Ahead of Gold Line Arrival

Workers displayed the Kinkisharyo P3010 rail cars at the Azusa Downtown Station Saturday, September 19. The rail cars are assembled in Palmdale, California. Photo by Aaron Castrejon.

It is less than a month until the opening of the Gold Line Foothill Extension and crews are continuing their pre-revenue service along the 11.5-mile light rail line.

The Kinkisharyo P3010 rail cars, which are assembled in Palmdale, were seen operating in Azusa recently, as captured in the following GCN Youtube video.

“This is an important training time for Metro operators, while familiarizing the community with the presence of light rail service through the area,” said Foothill Extension CEO Habib Balian.

Further reading:

Metro Says ‘No’ To Delayed Opening

Azusa/Citrus Stations Dedication

Feature: Glendora Station Artist

The $1 billion light rail extension, Phase 2A, was possible after voters passed a half-cent sales tax in 2008. The Foothill Extension broke ground June 26, 2010 and was completed on time and on budget September 23, 2015.

The Azusa to Montclair segment, Phase 2B, is in the advanced engineering phase after having an Environmental Impact Report certified in 2013. The Construction Authority is seeking $1 billion in funding for the next phase with anticipated construction taking place in 2017.

A proposed sales tax measure that would fund Phase 2B construction will go on the ballot in Los Angeles County in November of 2016.