Photo by San Diego Shooter, via Flickr Creative Commons.

In a meeting at Metro the other day, Metrolink Board Chairman Richard Katz said that Metrolink will be increasingly trying to offer special service for big events. The commuter railroad — partially funded by Metro — saw huge crowds with its special trains to the U2 shows in Anaheim last month.

Here’s the news release from Metrolink on special weekend service to Solana Beach, which is a short bus ride to the track:

Los Angeles – Starting July 23, Southern Californians will have a new safe, affordable, convenient, reliable way to get to the horse races at the Del Mar Racetrack. Metrolink, in partnership with the North County Transit District (NCTD), will offer round-trip train service to the Del Mar Racetrack Saturdays and Sundays between July 23 and Sept. 4 for a special round-trip fare of only $28. The Race Train will leave Union Station at 10:40 a.m. and arrive in Solana Beach at 12:47 p.m. The return train will depart from the Solana Beach station at 6:45 p.m. (Please click here to see the schedule and a full list of station stops.)

“We are offering the most affordable, stress-free way to get to the Del Mar races for a day of fun,” said Metrolink Board Member Paul Glaab.

According to North County Transit District Board Chair, Chris Orlando: “This new train service is an excellent example of transit agencies working together to enhance service. It makes reaching Del Mar Racetrack easy, convenient and affordable for a whole new market of race fans,” said Orlando.

To purchase a ticket to ride the Del Mar Train, select “Special Ticket Options” and then select “Del Mar/Solana Beach Ticket” from Metrolink ticket vending machines on the Orange County and San Bernardino lines, as well as L.A. Union Station.

The $28 promotional fare also pays for public transportation to and from Union Station to catch the Del Mar Train. Riders should be sure to check schedules to ensure their return trains depart after the Del Mar Train arrive back at Union Station at 8:53 p.m. Metrolink’s San Bernardino line offers late night train service that will accommodate these needs, as well as rail and bus service offered by Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). For more information on transportation options offered by Metro, please visit www.metro.net. For residents who live in the Oceanside area, the Metrolink Del Mar/Solana Beach ticket can be purchased from Oceanside to Solana Beach for $8.00 for a round-trip. No other Metrolink tickets will be accepted on the Del Mar Train.

A one-way trip from Los Angeles Union Station to Solana Beach is expected to take approximately 2 hours and 7 minutes. The British Bus Company will provide free shuttle service to and from Del Mar track for race fans arriving at the Solana Station. The shuttle schedule applicable to Metrolink’s Del Mar Train is below:

Saturday and Sunday bus schedule:

· Shuttle service departs Solana Station at 9:31 a.m. and continues to meet arriving trains until 4:35 p.m.

· Return service to Solana Station departs 15 minutes after each race.

· The last shuttle leaves the racetrack 45 min after the end of the last race.

PLEASE NOTE: In order to travel to Solana Beach for the Del Mar races on Metrolink, a Del Mar/Solana Beach ticket must be purchased. A Metrolink Monthly Pass or Weekend Pass is not valid on the special service Del Mar Train.
Alcohol consumption is not allowed on board Metrolink trains.