On September 19, 2025, the Los Angeles Metro A Line expanded with the opening of a 9.1-mile extension, adding four new stations from Glendora to Pomona. This extension increases the A Line’s total length to more than 57 miles, making it the longest light-rail line in the world.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) played a key role in preparing the extension for public use. As the State Safety Oversight Agency (SSOA) for all public transit guideways in California, CPUC is responsible for ensuring safety compliance across 15 Rail Transit Agencies in the state. Working with LA Metro’s Rail Safety Team, CPUC spent several years verifying that all gates, signals, and emergency systems met safety standards before passenger service began.
The process was formalized through LA Metro’s Safety Certification Verification Report (SCVR), a technical document required by CPUC General Order 164-F for major rail projects. The SCVR details how safety was verified for thousands of project elements, such as bridge structures, fire alarms, crossing gates, and station signage. Nearly all of more than 6,000 certifiable elements were approved prior to opening. Remaining items, including final signage and the Pomona Layover Facility, are being completed under strict safety protocols overseen by CPUC staff.
CPUC staff and LA Metro engineers conducted numerous inspections and tests. These included grade crossing inspections to check gates and alarms, system integration testing to ensure communication between systems during simulated service, and fire and emergency preparedness drills with first responders from Glendora to Pomona. Hazard analyses addressed risks related to track alignment, electrical systems, and emergency access. By early 2025, all identified hazards were mitigated, and a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy from local fire departments confirmed that there were no outstanding fire or 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.”
The extension connects communities from the San Gabriel Valley to downtown Los Angeles and Long Beach. The oversight by CPUC’s Rail Transit Safety Branch and Rail Crossings and Engineering Branch aimed to ensure that riders could use the new service with confidence in its safety.
“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,” Gilbert added.
Further information about the LA Metro A Line project can be found on the Foothill Gold Line webpage. Details about CPUC’s Rail Transit Safety Branch are available on their official website.
