Better Rail Access Makes Sense

The city of Ventura is smart to get serious about bringing Metrolink service to its residents. Commuter rail travel is not the entire solution to growing traffic congestion, air pollution, highway stress and airport access but it is too important a part for the city to continue to ignore.

The City Council last week directed public works staff to compare three potential sites for a Ventura station: Montalvo, where two Metrolink trains are stored at night; the Amtrak platform at the fairgrounds; and near the intersection of North Bank Drive and Montgomery Avenue. Each will be evaluated on available parking, traffic, noise, lighting and rider safety, as well as construction costs.

Ventura already pays a share for the service even though the nearest place to catch a Metrolink train is in Oxnard. The trains then proceed, empty, to Montalvo for overnight parking. The Ventura County Transportation Commission revised the funding formula for Metrolink in 1998, and cities now pay for the service based on population, not ridership. For the 1998-99 fiscal year, the service cost Ventura $55,552.

At a glance, the fairgrounds location appears to make the most sense. The existing platform and parking lot have plenty of room; only a ticket machine would need to be added. In addition, it is more convenient for West Side and Midtown residents; those who live in East Ventura are only a few miles from the Oxnard Transportation Center anyway.

We’re glad the city is looking into adding Metrolink’s easy access to eastern Ventura County, the San Fernando Valley, Burbank airport and downtown Los Angeles to the list of amenities it offers its residents.

True, Metrolink ridership is still relatively small. But if trains ran more frequently and to more locations, it would make sense for more people to use them. And that would benefit everyone.