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Metrolink put the first of 50 refurbished train cars back into service Wednesday.
The new train cars for Southern California’s regional passenger rail service feature improvements such as vinyl seating, non-carpeted flooring, enhanced air filtration, and UV lighting for bacteria, air pollutants, and virus protection.
The bathrooms will have a more modern look and better odor control, according to the agency. The trains will also have new energy-efficient lighting and charging ports at each seat.
Safety upgrades include obstacle detection on side doors, three emergency intercom buttons on each car, and fresh air ventilation in case of a loss of power.
“We are thrilled to begin the roll-out of the renovated train cars, with upgrades to enhance passengers’ travel experiences, into our system,” Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle said in a statement.
Metrolink is rebuilding 50 of its 121 passenger train cars, which were originally constructed between 1992 and 2002. The cars were in need of a “mid-life makeover,” according to the agency.
Seventeen of the 50 cars are expected to be in service by the end of this year, with all 50 cars slated to be refurbished by early 2024.
