On September 19, 2025, the Los Angeles Metro A Line extended its service to Pomona, marking the opening of a new 9.1-mile segment known as the Foothill Phase 2B project. This extension added four stations from Glendora to Pomona and increased the A Line’s total length to more than 57 miles, reinforcing its status as the world’s longest light-rail line.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) played a key role in preparing the extension for public use. As the State Safety Oversight Agency for all public transit guideways in California, including oversight of 15 rail transit agencies statewide, CPUC was responsible for verifying that safety systems met required standards before passenger service began. The process involved close collaboration with LA Metro’s Rail Safety Team and spanned several years.
A central part of this process was completion of the Safety Certification Verification Report (SCVR), which is mandated under CPUC General Order 164-F for major rail projects in California. The SCVR serves as documentation that every aspect of a new rail line—from infrastructure elements like bridge structures and crossing gates to fire alarms and station signage—has been reviewed and meets established safety requirements.
According to CPUC, nearly all of more than 6,000 certifiable elements on the Foothill Extension were fully approved prior to opening day. Remaining tasks such as final signage installation and work at the Pomona Layover Facility are being finished under strict safety controls monitored by CPUC staff.
To ensure readiness, CPUC staff and LA Metro engineers conducted hundreds of inspections and tests across multiple areas:
– Grade crossing inspections verified proper function of gates, alarms, and warning devices.
– System integration testing ensured safe communication among all systems during simulated operations.
– Fire and emergency preparedness drills were held for first responders between Glendora and Pomona prior to passenger boarding.
Detailed hazard analyses addressed potential risks related to track alignment, electrical systems, and emergency access. By early 2025, all identified hazards had been resolved. Local fire departments issued a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy after confirming there were no outstanding fire or life-safety concerns.
For passengers using the new extension—which connects communities throughout the San Gabriel Valley with downtown Los Angeles and Long Beach—the safety verification means reliable operation backed by multiple layers of oversight.
Daren S. Gilbert, Program Manager for the CPUC Rail Transit Safety Branch, stated: “Our goal is simple: to ensure every rail project in California meets the highest standards of public safety before a single passenger steps onboard.”
Gilbert emphasized that “the SCVR is more than a technical requirement. It is a record of accountability. 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.”
Additional details about this project are available on the Foothill Gold Line webpage. Information regarding ongoing work by CPUC’s Rail Transit Safety Branch can be found on their official site.
