The San Bernardino County Sun from San Bernardino, California • Page 14

JVU KEEPSAKE EDITION MAY 17,1993 mini mm. mi i ii i ii in miiim i tin up nuili' mm I nfl 'JW'j'B'Wyy. IW'f' WM' i 'iiuiim nm i i 11 iniiiiii 1 1 mi 1 1 imi i i iiii i I I -ff iiMfi iiVniMiiii'i 3 fen in'i iiiMirti' i' ii ti ri i Hm iTi i nil i-t'm iS ma i fcf a i r-r -fail i nil 1 1 iY User's Guide: Schedules, fares and where to park. Page 2 History: How the region was built around the railroads. Page 2 Also: Rider reaction, how Metrolink developed and more.

Pages 2-3 Opening day ROLLING INTO THE FUTURE '-ffW'" iiiJmiijiii)Hiriiiiywfi''wwf win'i pmwpwtwi.iwwj.iipi ji hij iKi.aji Sharon Chlng DAILY COMMUTER oodbye, gridlock. II The daily freeway commute so IT familiar and frustrating to San Bernardino County workers takes a detour today onto the railroad tracks. Metrolink is open in San Bernardino and Rialto, and weary. Ml road warriors should see it as nothing short of a r- i Stop your complaining; get on board excuses anymore, commuters. Metrolink is here.

cease-nre. Instead of driving, you ride; no wear and tear on you or your car. Instead of fretting about being late, you can read the newspaper or get some work done. And for the last 20 minutes or so, as the train rolls between the eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 10, you can smirk and feel superior to those poor folks inching along in their cars. The three morning and evening trains are the first small step in what might prove to be an alternative to the second car for many suburbanites.

Midday trains will be added, late-night service is under consideration, and direct links to other Southland destinations will be added. Free transfers already make it possible to go from Los Angeles' Union Station to points throughout downtown and the Westlake area. Even in its limited form, Metrolink is proving to be a success. Ridership figures are ahead of projections, according to the Metropolitan Transit Authority. It's a different way of life; many commuters obviously believe it's a better one.

They are Downtown L.A. workers won't be able to complain anymore about having to drive 25 miles to Montclair to catch the train. And there's no good reason to drive all the way in to town. Now you can pick up the train in San Bernardino, Rialto and Upland. Fontana and Rancho Cu-camonga are coming soon.

I've been able to sneak a few rides before Metrolink opened in October. Here are some of the WAV iw. ffiyiWJm Si" things you can look forward to. i After you arrive at the sta tion, a purple-clad Metrolink am bassador will help you get a ticket from the automated dispenser. Allow yourself enough time to buy a ticket and hop aboard.

Unlike a bus, the train leaves on the minute. There should be no mistaking (he train it the huge double-decker, periwinkle blue and white. Four passenger cars are pulled by quiet, low-pollution diesel-electric locomotives. proving that Southern Californians' relationship with the car, so often described as a love affair, might be a cruel addiction. The antidote will be available in San i Bernardino and Rialto from 5:25 to 6:48 a.m.

today and every weekday from now on. L-" la i 1 DAVID CREAMERThe Sun Hundreds line up to see the Metrolink train on display Saturday at San Bernardino's station. LOCAL BUSINESS Service likely to help spur growth along route ity, and San Bernardino Associated Gov- 3 ernments have purchased the old Santa depot next to the San Bernardino commut' er train station, said Wes McDaniel, exec- utive director of SANBAG. Plans call for several blocks surround- ing the station to be converted into offices and shops, he said. 5 A study is under way to determine the cost of upgrading the depot to meet cur- rent earthquake safety standards, he said.

A restaurant and other retail stores would be on the ground floor of the depot i alongside the existing Amtrak station. Government offices would be on the sec- ond floor, McDaniel said. Child care centers, automobile service shops, dry cleaners and other facilities for commuters have already opened near Metrolink stations in other Southland cities, he said. "We certainly encourage joint development projects," Hidalgo said. "The more options you offer a potential commuter, the more likely they are to ride." San Bernardino has big plans for the area near its Metrolink station on Third Street east of Mount Vernon Avenue a Westside area aching for new development.

Metrolink, which is operated by the Southern California Regional Rail Author said some home builders already are mentioning the new train service in advertisements for their developments. "That is the main reason Metrolink became a reality," he said. And the value of the property surrounding the Metrolink stations should increase, he said. John Husing, a San Bernardino economist, said the commuter service will make it easier for people to live in the Inland Empire and work in Los Angeles. The area around the stations could see an economic rebirth, he said.

"It probably will create a zone of enterprise," Husing said. By John WHfTEHAiR Sun Business Writer The arrival of Metrolink service in the Inland Empire may be a boon for home sellers and a catalyst for new economic activity. The swift commuter service, which begins in San Bernardino, Rialto and Upland today, will be a selling point for area homes, and the thousands of people who will pass through the stations daily will be a magnet for retailers and service businesses, economists and rail officials predict. Metrolink spokesman Peter Hidalgo Others who have ridden say seats near the rear are quieter, and there's less swaying on the lower level than the upper deck. There's a smell of newness to the passenger cars, and the no-smoking policy should help preserve that freshness.

The mauve and lavender decor blends well. The cushioned seats face each other in sets of four. Each air-conditioned passenger car seats 148 commuters. They can accommodate 300 if some stand. Of course, the train can accommodate wheelchairs, and it also features drinking fountains, restrooms, bicycle storage and work tables.

The ride itself is similar to the monorail at Disneyland, but quieter. If you take the train from San Bernardino it will deliver you to Union Station in 90 minutes 80 minutes from Rialto minus the stress and the bumper-to-bumper traffic along Interstate 10. You can ride this historic train gratis this week, but soon you'll have to pay. The round trip is $14 from San Bernardino or Rialto to Los Angeles. It's $10 from Upland.

Commuters have complained about the cost, and the monthly pass is a better bargain for regular riders. Keep in mind that you're saving gas and parking dollars, not to mention wear and tear on your car. And that your auto insurance should decrease because you're driving less. Nobody takes your ticket at the door, but you might be checked along the way. If you boarded without paying, you'll get a warning the first time and a $250 citation the second.

Thus far, 250 warnings and about 50 citations have been issued. This graffiti-free train is a treat to ride. Take advantage of this week's free fares, and you'll quickly be a convert to mass transit. Sharon Chlnfi column appear waafcdays In Quick Taka. i I San SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY I J3" Chatsworth 11v- Burbanlt Baldwin Rancho VanNuy, VaHev Pasadena VanNuy5 Cal Slate Pomona Momclair Cucamonga Rialto San Bernardino Glcndale p.

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Mission Viejoj SUN staff I -P I Laguna Nigucl I 1 -C.