METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Metrolink Commemorates California Clean Air Day

L.A. Metro and a number of other regional transportation agencies will also waive fares Oct. 4, and Metrolink riders can connect at no cost to a variety of additional local transit options with their free round-trip ticket. 

Metrolink Commemorates California Clean Air Day

Metrolink has engaged in education and community development activities to help spread the California Clean Air Day message.

Photo: Canva

2 min to read


Metrolink announced it has offered free rides across its entire system on Oct. 4 for California Clean Air Day.

L.A. Metro and a number of other regional transportation agencies will also waive fares on Oct. 4, and Metrolink riders can connect at no cost to a variety of additional local transit options with their free round-trip ticket. 

Ad Loading...

“Taking cars off the road is one of the best and easiest ways to combat air pollution, and we’re proud to offer Southern Californians an alternate method of transportation they can feel good about,” said Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle. “Metrolink trains use renewable, petroleum-free fuel made from recycled natural oils, and we were the first passenger railroad in the nation to make this transition, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%. Offering free rides on California Clean Air Day is just one of the ways we’re working to create cleaner, healthier communities across the region.” 

Other Ways Metrolink is Observing Clean Air Day

In addition to providing free rides on Oct. 4, Metrolink has engaged in education and community development activities to help spread the California Clean Air Day message.

In partnership with the City of Riverside’s Department of Arts and Cultural Affairs and UC Riverside’s Office of Sustainability, Metrolink team members gathered Tuesday to paint a smog-eating mural at UCR’s R’Garden.

Working with UCR students, California Air Resources Board staff, and community volunteers, the group brought to life an original work by local artist Ekaterina Orlovie using an air-purifying paint additive from manufacturer Photio that will actively clean the air around the mural.

Metrolink also partnered with Los Angeles-based nonprofit Create Now to support a free multi-themed art program focused on teaching youth about air quality and environmentally healthy steps Californians can take to support clean air initiatives and improve public health. 

More Zero Emissions

 A bus that's powering the Beer Garden Stage and also serving as a Cooling & Charging Station for festival attendees.
Zero Emissionsby Elora HaynesSeptember 14, 2026

Ohio’s METRO RTA Turns Electric Buses into Mobile Power Sources at PorchROKR

See how three Gillig battery-electric buses powered festival stages while the agency’s new Park & Ride service carried approximately 1,000 attendees, demonstrating another potential use for transit agencies’ electric fleets.

Read More →
Catalyst Mobility: Building Clean Transportation Together
Zero Emissionsby Alex RomanSeptember 14, 2026

CALSTART and Forth Combine to Form Catalyst Mobility

The new name represents a renewed vision for the nonprofit focused on advancing clean, equitable, and affordable transportation solutions that move people and goods.

Read More →
How BAE Systems Electrifies Transit Fleets
Zero Emissionsby Alex RomanSeptember 10, 2026

Building a Flexible Path to Transit Electrification

John Hroncich discusses BAE Systems’ modular and scalable approach, lessons learned from decades of real-world operations, and how agencies can identify electrification strategies that fit their fleets.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A VVTA hydrogen fuel cell electric bus
Zero Emissionsby Staff and News ReportsSeptember 1, 2026

California's VVTA Begins Phased Rollout of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Buses

The agency is introducing 13 zero-emission buses into revenue service while evaluating performance across its urban, rural, and long-distance routes.

Read More →
A photo of UB's battery-electric bus event
Zero Emissionsby Alex RomanSeptember 1, 2026

Inside Look: University at Buffalo Puts First 8 Electric Buses Into Stampede Service

UB, transportation solutions provider WeDriveU, and fleet electrification specialist Zenobē marked the deployment in the presence of students, university administrators, and local officials.

Read More →
An OCTA ZEB.
Technologyby Alex RomanJuly 31, 2026

Biz Briefs: OCTA Taps Clean Energy for Hydrogen Station, Stadler to Supply Via Rail Vehicles, and More

From manufacturers and suppliers to transit agencies and motorcoach operators, these updates offer a snapshot of the projects, partnerships and business moves driving the industry forward.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Maintenance Leadership for a Changing Industry
Managementby Alex RomanJuly 22, 2026

AC Transit’s Cecil Blandon on Building the Next Generation of Transit Maintenance Leaders

The agency’s maintenance chief discusses leadership, workforce development, zero-emission technology, and preparing technicians for the future of public transportation.

Read More →
STV Advances CTDOT Fleet Electrification
Busby Staff and News ReportsJuly 8, 2026

CTDOT Taps STV for Electric Bus Facility Design

The firm will work with CTDOT and RVT to define the facility layout, operational requirements, and long-term flexibility for RVT’s growing electric fleet.

Read More →
A group of people with confetti cannons and a Pace transit bus.
Zero Emissionsby News/Media ReleaseJune 25, 2026

Chicago’s Pace Deploys 24 Hybrid-Electric Buses in Will County

The new buses reduce emissions and fuel consumption while advancing the agency's long-term goal of transitioning to a fully zero-emission fleet.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Shovels standing in dirt with a zero emissions bus in the background.

DASH Breaks Ground on First On-Route Electric Bus Chargers in D.C. Region

The fast-charging infrastructure will help extend electric bus range, improve fleet utilization, and support DASH's goal of transitioning to a fully zero-emission fleet.

Read More →