Welcome to the official launch of Cucamonga Station CONNECTIONS – a regular update on news and happenings for this transformative multi-modal transportation project in the heart of the Inland Empire. Cucamonga Station will offer the first high-speed rail in the western U.S. that connects to air, bus, and local passenger rail service. When combined with the incredible amenities and destinations that our region offers, the introduction of connectivity to and from Las Vegas will only amplify the benefits and opportunities of the Inland Empire experience.
During the last year, regional partners have laid the groundwork with research, consumer and business surveys, and focus groups with regional influencers to better understand and further strengthen how Cucamonga Station can act as a destination and economic hub for Southern California and beyond.
Significant milestones and updates about Cucamonga Station, its sister station in Las Vegas, and other regional developments that will benefit the region's economic impact continue to garner news coverage and are announced at local events. This CONNECTIONS update will report on these important advancements for this project and our community.
You are a part of the CONNECTIONS launch as you have participated in our surveys or regional discussion, and/or asked to subscribe to updates and information related to this exciting project.
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Cucamonga Station: "Your Destination Awaits" |
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After extensive research with focus groups and community surveys in the Inland Empire, the Cucamonga Station marketing and communications partnership introduced “Your Destination Awaits” as the marketing theme for Cucamonga Station. "Your Destination Awaits" creates a great sense of optimism where the only limit to your journey and travel is your imagination.
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As destinations go, the Inland Empire offers a deep and varied range of dining, entertainment, sports, shopping, and lifestyle options for personal pleasure or business goals. The Cucamonga Station marketing and communications partnership has created partnerships with tourism, economic development, and local and regional public and private entities throughout the Inland Empire and beyond to ensure that - as part of the station's value - these options are properly promoted.
Key to Cucamonga Station's value is its importance to reaching your destination of choice. There, you have easy connectivity through air, passenger rail, and bus with Ontario International Airport (ONT), Metrolink, and Omnitrans, respectively. These services will transform dramatically in the coming years with new projects coming online. These exciting developments include high-speed rail service between Rancho Cucamonga and Las Vegas, bus rapid transit through Omnitrans and SBCTA’s West Valley Connector Project, an SBCTA led 4-mile tunnel project that will connect the station to Ontario International Airport, and alternative transportation options such as Rancho Cucamonga’s 6th Street Bicycle Track project with plans for extended bicycle connections in the area.
To see the full vision for Cucamonga Station, check out the latest video from the partnership group.
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Brightline West: Updated Cucamonga Station Renderings |
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Brightline West will be the first true high-speed rail system in America and will be operated by Brightline, the only private provider of modern, eco-friendly, intercity passenger rail service in the country that is currently operating in Florida. Brightline recently made a series of major announcements on building a high-speed rail system connecting Las Vegas to Southern California through Cucamonga Station in the City of Rancho Cucamonga.
The 218-mile system will be fully electric with train speeds capable of reaching speeds of 186+ miles per hour. The route will follow the Interstate 15 corridor along the median and starts with a southern terminus at Cucamonga Station, stopping at High Desert stations in the City of Hesperia and the Town of Apple Valley ("Victor Valley Station"), then ending at the northern terminus in Las Vegas, with an expected travel time of just 2 hours and 10 minutes.
This Las Vegas to Cucamonga Station line provides seamless connectivity west to Los Angeles and east to San Bernardino/Redlands via Metrolink service, plus global connections via Ontario International Airport using the Omnitrans Connector bus shuttle. Brightline West recently shared updated renderings for the Cucamonga Station, which is located within the newly branded HART District an area of Haven Avenue, Arrow Route, Rochester Avenue, and the Transit District in Rancho Cucamonga that will serve as a crossroads of food, culture and commerce.
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Image Above: Brightline West Cucamonga Station Canyon view from plaza.
Image Below: Brightline West Cucamonga Station view from southwest.
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*Artistic renderings subject to change |
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Brightline West rail construction is anticipated to break ground by the end of this year, and station construction will begin in 2024. The $12 billion investment from Brightline West is expected to generate more than 10,000 union jobs during construction and about 900 permanent union jobs for the Inland Empire and Southern Nevada economies. The project is a testimony to the vision, collaboration, and unified regional effort of this type of public/private partnership. |
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Cucamonga Station: In April, KTLA-TV featured Cucamonga Station as part of news that a bipartisan congressional group from California and Nevada had asked the Biden Administration to fast-track federal funding for the Brightline West high-speed rail project connecting the Los Angeles area via Rancho Cucamonga to Las Vegas.
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Ontario International Airport (ONT): In April, ONT reported the highest international traveler count ever for a single month - 34,000. During the same month, ONT welcomed nearly 500,000 domestic fliers. Based on current airline schedules, more than 1.8 million passengers are expected to move through ONT between May 26 and September 4, 2023, an increase of 7% over last summer. Check out this recent news coverage on FOX 11 Los Angeles about the tourism boom. ONT's hassle-free experience with reasonably priced parking, easy access to terminals, and a wide range of amenities make it a key connection point for domestic and international travelers coming to Southern California.
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Greater Ontario California (GOCal): The premier tourism organization representing the cities of Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga in Southern California's fastest-growing destination has a new name and brand to better reflect Greater Ontario's role as an international destination location. The Greater Ontario Convention & Visitors Bureau has officially rebranded to GOCal (Greater Ontario California). The rebranding comes as Greater Ontario and the Inland Empire have emerged as one of the nation's highly sought-after population and economic centers. The region recently surpassed the San Francisco Bay Area as the 12th largest metropolitan area in the U.S. and leads all of California in job growth.
In other news, GOCal will hold its next "I AM Greater Ontario!" complimentary hospitality interactive workshop on Friday, June 23 from 8 - 11 a.m. at the Ontario Convention Center. You'll learn more about the region, hospitality tips, history and tours. RSVPs are required - the deadline is June 19. Please contact Sue Oxarart at [email protected] or call (909) 937-3058.
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Brightline West: Regional, national, and international news media have started following the exciting efforts to transform rail transportation in the United States and our region. Here are just a few news highlights:
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Our CONNECTIONS update is meant to be just that - a connection to share the transformation happening in and around Cucamonga Station, transportation updates and partner highlights. Be sure to Subscribe to stay connected and share with those you feel may be of interest to follow along. |
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