Los Angeles-area commuters woke up Monday to a rough start: Metrolink is temporarily cutting back service on most of its Southern California lines while it scrambles to work around a shortage of available trainsets. The move will cancel or shorten dozens of weekday trips and is slated to last for at least seven weeks. Riders are being urged to double-check their trains before heading out and to build in extra time as weekday schedules get reshuffled.
Metrolink service advisory
Posted by City of Palmdale - Government on March 23, 2026
What the advisory says
In a post from City of Palmdale - Government (Facebook), officials relayed Metrolink’s service advisory announcing a plan to “temporarily reduce service” starting Monday. According to the post, the changes hit every Metrolink line except the Riverside Line and Arrow service, and riders are directed to Metrolink’s website for a complete list of affected trains.
Why Metrolink says it is necessary
Agency leaders have pinned the cutbacks on recurring mechanical failures, limited spare parts, and the pressure of an expanded schedule that has stretched the fleet thin. In testimony before the Senate subcommittee on LOSSAN, Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle acknowledged that the agency’s F125 locomotives “have had their challenges,” which have tightened maintenance windows and reduced the number of trainsets available for service, according to the hearing transcript.
How riders should plan
Metrolink is telling passengers to confirm that their usual train is actually running, sign up for Metrolink Alerts, and review the updated list of trips on the agency’s Train Status page, per Metrolink Alerts. Riders who need help can call or text Metrolink customer service at 800‑371‑LINK (5465), or follow the agency’s online alerts for real‑time updates.
What this means for commuters
The cuts are expected to shake up rush‑hour patterns and could push some commuters onto earlier trains, bus routes, or car trips while repairs move forward. Local planners and employers should be prepared for schedule disruptions throughout the maintenance window, and riders who rely on Metrolink for daily travel are urged to keep a close eye on alerts as the agency works through its maintenance backlog.
