Baseball enthusiasts in Southern California have a reason to celebrate as Metrolink brings back the Angels Express train service for the first time since 2019, just in time for the Los Angeles Angels' home games, KTLA reports. The convenient transportation alternative will be available for every weekend home game, as well as for the anticipated mid-week clashes against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Families looking to catch the games can enjoy an economical outing, with adults tickets priced at $10 and up to three children aged 17 or under riding free with each paying adult, making for a budget-friendly family excursion while dodging the infamous L.A. traffic, but the service will be available for all three matchups with the Dodgers too, including a preseason game on Tuesday, March 26 it's not just for weekend games. The regular season starts with a bang as the Angels take on the Boston Red Sox on April 5, with trains also running throughout that opening weekend, Metrolink said.
Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle celebrated the return, extolling the synergy between train travel and baseball, stating, "We look forward to once again connecting Southern Californians with the sights and sounds of the ballpark – and the memories made there," according to Metrolink's announcement. The service will span various counties, with the Inland Empire-Orange County Line running from Riverside-Downtown station directly to Anaheim, eliminating the need for transfers.
Drop-off and return travel have been meticulously timed to coincide with game endings and the spectacle of post-game fireworks on select Saturday evenings, although return trains are slated to leave 30 minutes after the last out and on Saturday Night Fireworks promotional nights, trains will leave 30 minutes after the conclusion of the fireworks show, ensuring fans won't miss a second of the action. The initiative is powered by support from Orange County Transportation Authority, Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and Riverside County Transportation Commission, all focused on enhancing the game day experience while cutting down traffic congestion and contributing to better air quality in the region.
OCTA Chair Tam T. Nguyen expressed his anticipation for the service's positive impact, highlighting that, "The Angels are Orange County's team. And because they also draw from L.A. and the Inland Empire, riding the rails from all those destinations helps reduce traffic and improve regional air quality," which he conveyed in Metrolink's news release. Detailed schedules and ticketing information for the Angels Express can be found on Metrolink's website, promising a seamless journey to Angel Stadium for scores of fans.
