SOUTHLAND--The 15th birthday of Metrolink’s Riverside Line is being marked with some impressive ridership figures.

For the first time, 50,000 passengers are ‘riding the rails’ daily on the Riverside Line.

Metrolink’s Denise Tyrrell says it’s gasoline prices that are forcing motorists out of their cars and onto the trains.

“We have no other reason for the sudden jump in passengers on our trains. We’re calling it ‘sticker shock and awe.”

On the streets of the Inland Empire, the Riverside Transit Agency and Omnitrans are reporting significant ridership gains on their buses.

Story Date: June 19, 2008