“Rediscover Gold.”
That’s the theme of a brand new website touting the grand opening of the Metro Gold Line Foothill extension March 5.
The website, www.metro.net/moregold features a video loop shot from the front of a train speeding by congestion on the 210 Freeway, over the iconic train bridge spanning the eastbound freeway lanes at Santa Anita Avenue, past the recognizable beer storage tanks of Miller Brewery, through at-grade crossings in Monrovia and ending at the last of six new stations the APU/Citrus College Station on the Azusa-Glendora border near Rosedale.
“The $1 billion, 11.5-mile rail line will travel between East Pasadena and Azusa and points in between, providing a relaxing and money-saving alternative to driving the busy 210,” boasts the website.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) has been criticized by some parties along the route for not promoting the opening of the 11.5-mile, $1 billion extension in the works for more than five years. Most stations have no banners and outdated signs. Only one wrapped ad could be seen on the test trains Tuesday in Arcadia announcing six new stations coming soon.
In addition, the website features a countdown clock, a map, a list of the six new stations, pictures of the stations’ public art installations and information about the new, $265-million Maintenance Yard in Monrovia that is receiving trains from Kinkisharyo, a Japanese train builder that set up shop in Palmdale. The 24-acre yard is capable of holding 84 light-rail cars and uses 35 percent less water and 32.5 percent less electricity than a typical building of its size, according to Metro.
Metro’s website announced it will provide free rides to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. that Saturday on the entire Gold Line. Full service begins March 6.
The opening ceremony will take place at 9 a.m., March 5, at the Metro Gold Line Duarte/City of Hope Station, 1500 Duarte Road, Duarte, CA 91010. The following stations will have celebrations as well, with live music and food trucks: Arcadia, Monrovia and Azusa Downtown.
Metro will be selling a commemorative TAP card featuring the Gold Line train beginning March 5. TAP cards must be loaded with cash and are used to enter the stations by tapping the plastic card against the metal stand.
