More trains, optimized schedules

Southern California passenger rail service Metrolink is making a major expansion this fall, significantly increasing the number of trains in service and optimizing arrival and departure times to reduce the time spent waiting to transfer.

On Friday, the Metrolink Board of Directors approved its 2025 fiscal year budget, which includes a plan to increase the number of trains in service by about 30% across the entire Metrolink system.

At a media event held at Union Station, Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle, fresh off inking an extension to remain in that position through 2029, said the expanded service is meant to attract more riders who may view the service as something only used by commuters.

“I call it the first step in our transformation from commuter railroads to regional passenger railroad,” Kettle said.

The decision to target more recreational riders was made in part due to challenges that came from the coronavirus pandemic.

Ridership took a nosedive to about 10% during the pandemic due to stay-at-home orders and more people working from home. Kettle says the latter appears to be a permanent shift in the nation, and if Metrolink wants more people to use the service, it’ll need to become a more attractive transit option for riders who aren’t just going to and from work.

“The world changed four years ago. And, you know, we’re all trying to figure out, how do we adapt to the new workforce situation, but not just rely on that?” Kettle said. He added that any transit agency focused solely on commuters will likely have a long, challenging road to recovery.

“We used to get some 40-plus percent of our revenues from fares, today we get about 13% of our revenues from fares,” he said. Metrolink’s county partners, as well as the federal government, have helped carry some of the burden from the loss of revenue.

But rather than focusing on getting back to pre-pandemic ridership numbers, Metrolink is viewing the sharp decline as a new baseline, with the only way to go being up.

Kettle, who lives in Ventura County and rides the train on days when he’s not working from home, said the biggest request he’s received from fellow riders is more regular service.

“We do surveys and ask questions and just unsolicited feedback is, ‘Give us more trains.’ So that’s what we’re going to do,” Kettle said. “We’re gonna get more trains.”

The Orange County and San Bernardino lines were two specific parts of Metrolink’s system that Kettle said will experience “significant” service increases. A similar service increase was implemented last year on the Antelope Valley line.

Metrolink will also roll out a new concept in which trains won’t always run an entire service route from end to end; some will go back and forth more frequently between regions with more demand.

In addition to more trains, Metrolink is adjusting its schedules to make it easier for riders to make transfers without having to wait for long periods of time.

Right now, someone who arrives at Union Station from one of the Metrolink lines may have to wait an hour or longer to transfer to another.

“Pulse scheduling,” as its called in the transit industry, will significantly cut the wait times for transfers by modifying arrival and departure times so they are more closely aligned with other trains. Metrolink says someone making a transfer in Union Station will likely have to wait less than 20 minutes to make a transfer from one line to another.

As Metrolink pointed out earlier this year, a theoretical trip between Burbank and Tustin beginning at 8:30 a.m. would take more than six hours, because there currently isn’t a train to Tustin out of Union Station until 2 in the afternoon.

When pulse scheduling goes into effect, that trip could be cut down to 90 minutes with a transfer taking less than 20 minutes. A fictional trip between downtown Pomona and Van Nuys using similar parameters would also a dramatic drop in total trip time.

The specific launch date for increased trains was not immediately released, but Kettle said he expected it to go into effect in late October. An exact breakdown of when and where trains will be deployed has yet to be finalized, with Metrolink officials saying a full plan could be approved by July or August.

Metrolink hopes that more train frequency and shorter transfer windows will help reinvigorate previous riders and bring in more first-timers.

In addition to service modifications, Metrolink says it sees other areas to grow, including on its San Bernardino Line, which includes a stop in Rancho Cucamonga immediately adjacent to a planned station for Brightline West — the high-speed train system that will connect Southern California with Las Vegas.

Metrolink’s popular Student Adventure Pass Program, which allows any student from kindergarten through grad school to ride throughout the entire system for free, was also renewed as part of the 2025 budget.

A bat boy for the Los Angeles Dodgers may have made the catch of the year when he snatched a hard-hit baseball headed for superstar slugger Shohei Ohtani.

The video, which is now going viral, was posted on the Dodgers Instagram page Thursday. 

The foul ball hit during Wednesday’s game in Chicago was headed right for the Dodgers dugout, where Ohtani and his teammates scrambled to get out of the way. 

Luckily, their bat boy named Javi never flinched and caught the line drive barehanded

Ohtani could be seen smiling at Javi shortly after the incredible grab. 

Fans on social media called Javi a hero for saving the Dodgers’ star.

Let’s face it: there aren’t many good options for a kids smartwatch.

Apple’s is great and lots of people like Verizon’s Gizmo Watch, but after that things sort of fall off.

Now, Google is stepping up with a highly capable smartwatch that aims to keep kids active, connected, and smartphone-free.

I’ve been testing the new Fitbit Ace LTE with my son and it’s clear that Google did their homework on this one. It’s targeted at kids 7-11.

“We asked ourselves, could we build a device that kids loved and parents loved?” said Anil Sabharwal, Vice President of Product Management at Google.

After spending time with the watch, I can say they’ve come pretty close to achieving that goal. The device makes it easy to stay in touch with your child, and I was surprised to discover just how active my kid is throughout the day.

The Fitbit Ace LTE comes with a snap-on bumper and fun, interchangeable bands. It’s also water-resistant.

“One of the first tests we insisted on is it has to pass the washing machine test” said Sabharwal.

One of the standout features is the built-in cellular connectivity. The watch doesn’t link to your phone or plan; instead, it uses Google’s Fi network. This allows you to call and message your child (and vice versa) and see their real-time location on a map.

It’s worth noting that since the device isn’t assigned a phone number, all calling and messaging must be done through the app. Trusted contacts will need to download the app as well.

This is a bit of an annoyance, but there’s also a benefit: no one random can call or text the device, which means no spammy “party invites” my kid gets on his “other” watch.

The Fitbit Ace LTE has built-in games designed to keep kids active. In fact, you can’t play them unless you move around first.

“They’re immersive, they’re fun. You are fishing. You’re dancing. You’re a chicken in a bathtub racing through space,” explained Sabharwal.

Google has put a strong emphasis on privacy with this device. Location data is deleted within 24 hours, activity data within 35 days and there are no third-party apps to download or install. Data is not used for ads or other purposes.

“It really truly is a device that’s been built with privacy and data minimization right at the forefront,’ said Sabharwal.

Overall, the Fitbit Ace LTE is an excellent way to keep track of and stay in touch with kids who might not be ready for a smartphone. It strikes a nice balance between connectivity and independence.

“And that’s what this device is all about, is growing independence for kids in a really healthy, fun way and strengthening those connections with family,” concluded Sabharwal.

The Fitbit Ace LTE costs $229, and cellular service is $10 per month. Google has a promotion running through August 31 where if you purchase the first year of service, you can get 50% off, or $60. Available at the Google Store and Amazon.