The Point: Promotions make it easier to ride the train

Metrolink provides a daily lifeline to thousands of essential workers who need to commute to work. The need for public transit during the pandemic continues to be high as stay-at-home orders are eased and employees return to the workplace. With traffic volumes beginning to return to pre-pandemic levels, we may start seeing more congestion on our highways and streets.

A simple way to avoid traffic delays is to hop aboard Metrolink! With RCTC support, Metrolink has several promotions to keep public transit affordable for workers, families, and recreational riders:

• New! SoCal Explorer Program – Explore Southern California while earning rewards. On October 14, Metrolink launched a rewards program that allows you earn points when you ride Metrolink. These points can be redeemed later for free Metrolink tickets. SoCal Explorer members are also eligible for discounts at partner restaurants, retailers, and attractions.
• New! Five-Day Flex Pass – Not going to work every day? Now you can buy five one-day passes to use any time within 30 days. Flex Pass buyers save 10 percent, compared to the cost of five round-trip tickets. You can buy this pass on the Metrolink Mobile App.
• New! Kids Ride Free on Weekends – Many students are learning from home and may be ready for a change of scenery. The Kids Ride Free Weekends promotion allows up to 3 kids (17 years old and under) to ride free with a $10 paying adult. Kids do not require a ticket; they can simply board with their parent.
• Metrolink $10 Weekends – Enjoy the weekend while remaining socially distant. Metrolink continues to offer $10 Weekend Day passes to travel throughout the Metrolink system.
• Free Transit Connections –With a valid Metrolink ticket, you can transfer to several bus lines in Riverside County and surrounding counties including RTA, Corona Cruiser, LA Metro, OCTA, Omnitrans and more. Visit Metrolink Transit Connections for a full list of operators and rules.

Please note that Metrolink requires all riders to wear a face covering and maintain social distancing from others. Each passenger car is equipped with two hand sanitizer stations – one near each train car door. In addition, Metrolink conducts daily deep cleaning and electrostatic spraying of hospital-grade disinfectants on trains and its “Clean Care Crew” perform touchpoint cleaning on cars throughout the day.

Learn more about riding Metrolink and these promotions.

The Point: Join RCTC and OCTA for the OC Fair-Corona Metrolink Day, Saturday, August 3 at 8:30 a.m.

Cute llamas, midway games, the Galaxy Coaster, Crunchy Hot Cheetos caramel apples, and tribute bands…yee-haw, it’s time for the annual OC Fair!

The Riverside County Transportation Commission, Metrolink, Orange County Transportation Authority and the OC Fair are sending fair-goers off in style at the Corona-North Main Station this Saturday at 8:30 a.m., an hour before the train heads to Orange County.

The first 100 guests to line up will receive a free roundtrip Metrolink ride to the Santa Ana Station/OC Fair Express and free admission to the OC Fair. But wait, there’s more! The lucky 100 also will get coupons for free carnival rides and lunch. Snacks, music, and other goodies also will be at the Corona-North Main Station to get the party started.

Metrolink’s Inland Empire/Orange County Line departs at 9:39 a.m. to Santa Ana. Riders will transfer free to the OC Fair Express Bus right to the gate. See trip details below.

The Point: Arrive early for games, giveaways before riding Metrolink to San Clemente’s Ocean Festival

Let’s go to the beach! The San Clemente Ocean Festival returns July 20, and the Riverside County Transportation Commission is hosting a “Before the Beach Bash” at the Metrolink Riverside-Downtown Station that day at 8 a.m.

Riders of the 9:20 a.m. Metrolink train can arrive early for games and giveaways, and the first 100 people to check in will receive FREE Metrolink round-trip rides to and from the San Clemente Pier, home of the Ocean Festival, dubbed the “Greatest Show on Surf.” The festival includes surfing contests, lifeguard competitions, a woody car show exhibit, art show, bodyboarding and

bodysurfing clinics, a fishing derby, and other family-friendly events.

Can’t make it on July 20? The festival continues on July 21, and visitors can ride Metrolink that day, too. Please note that the “Before the Beach Bash” is only on July 20.

Getting to the beach any time of year is a breeze with Metrolink. Cruise past traffic on the Inland Empire-Orange County Line to San Clemente and Oceanside beach for a fun day at the beach.

Metrolink offers a $10 Weekend Day Pass good for unlimited travel throughout the system on Saturday and Sunday. Mini beach-goers (children under five) ride free with a paying adult.  Get tickets on the Metrolink App or at ticket vending machines located at all stations. Please see schedule below.

Metrolink also makes it easy to bring beach gear. See below for list of allowable items and visit metrolinktrains.com for more information.

• Bodyboards/Boogie Boards (Store beneath seat or in designated storage area)
• Surfboards (Up to 6 ft. 4 in. in length)
• Beach chairs, toys, umbrellas, towels
• Bicycles (Secure and store in designated storage area. Special Bike Cars can hold up to nine bicycles on lower level)
• Strollers (Secure designated storage area)
• Fishing poles
• Ice chests

Other Upcoming Beach Events:

• July 26-28 – Supergirl Pro Surf Contest in Oceanside
• August 10-11 – Long Board Surfing Club Contest and Beach Festival in Oceanside
• August 11 – Fiesta Music Festival in San Clemente

• August 17-18 – World Body Surfing Championship in Oceanside
• September 21-22 – Oceanside Harbor Days
• October 6 – San Clemente SeaFest