On September 19, 2025, the Los Angeles Metro A Line extended its service to Pomona with the opening of a new 9.1-mile segment known as the Foothill Phase 2B project. This extension added four stations between Glendora and Pomona, making the A Line over 57 miles long and solidifying its status as the longest light-rail line in the world.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) played a key role in ensuring that safety standards were met before passenger service began. As California’s State Safety Oversight Agency for public transit guideways, CPUC is responsible for overseeing rail safety across 15 Rail Transit Agencies in the state. In partnership with LA Metro’s Rail Safety Team, CPUC spent several years reviewing all aspects of the extension to confirm readiness for public use.
This oversight process concluded with LA Metro’s Safety Certification Verification Report (SCVR), which confirmed that critical systems such as gates, signals, and emergency protocols were prepared for operation. The SCVR is mandated by CPUC General Order 164-F for major rail projects and serves as an official assessment of whether a new rail line can safely open to riders.
The report covered thousands of elements from bridge structures to fire alarms and crossing gates. Nearly all of more than 6,000 certifiable items were approved prior to opening day; remaining work such as final signage and completion of the Pomona Layover Facility continues under strict safety controls monitored by CPUC staff.
To verify safety compliance, CPUC staff conducted hundreds of inspections alongside LA Metro engineers. These included grade crossing checks to ensure warning devices functioned properly, system integration tests simulating real-world operations, and emergency preparedness drills involving first responders along the route from Glendora to Pomona. All identified hazards had been addressed by early 2025, allowing local fire departments to issue Temporary Certificates of Occupancy confirming no outstanding life-safety issues.
Daren S. Gilbert, Program Manager for the CPUC Rail Transit Safety Branch said: “Our goal is simple: to ensure every rail project in California meets the highest standards of public safety before a single passenger steps onboard.”
He added that while technical requirements like the SCVR are essential records of accountability, they also reflect extensive collaboration among agencies: “By verifying everything from the smallest gate hinge to complex signaling software, the CPUC ensures that Californians can enjoy the benefits of expanded transit safely.”
The new extension connects communities throughout San Gabriel Valley with downtown Los Angeles and Long Beach via uninterrupted light-rail service. The oversight provided by CPUC’s Rail Transit Safety Branch and Rail Crossings and Engineering Branch was instrumental in ensuring these improvements prioritize rider safety at every stage.
For further details about this project or information on ongoing rail safety efforts in California:
– More about the LA Metro A Line Foothill Gold Line Extension
– Information on the CPUC’s Rail Transit Safety Branch
