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As 2024 comes to a close, it's been an incredible year for transportation milestones that have come to fruition because of tireless individuals and partners who share a common vision to make the Inland Empire the connectivity destination of choice for travel, tourism, and economic development opportunities.
From the official groundbreaking of Brightline West in Las Vegas and the ramp-up of preconstruction activities in Southern California, to the start of construction on the Omnitrans West Valley Connector Project bus rapid transit line, to numerous improvements and initiatives at ONT that supports record-setting increases in air travel, and finally, an environmental milestone for the ONT Connector project, which proposes an underground shuttle system linking Cucamonga Station to ONT - the Inland Empire is at the center of it all.
2025 is shaping up to be a huge year as projects continue to move forward for air, rail and bus services and transit-oriented and entertainment-oriented development continues in the region - all of which point to concerted efforts to elevate the Inland Empire as a place that is transforming the way we think about transportation and destination connectivity.
If you'd like to see and hear about the latest developments and new business opportunities tied to transportation development, please email CucamongaStation@CityofRC.us.
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Proposed Underground Shuttle System from Cucamonga Station to ONT Reaches Environmental Milestone | |
Rendering of ONT Connector station at Cucamonga Station | |
SBCTA, which is responsible for cooperative regional planning and furthering an efficient multi-modal transportation system countywide, completed the public review and comment period on December 2, 2024, for the environmental impact report (EIR) and environmental assessment (EA) for the ONT Connector project. The project is a partnership between SBCTA and Ontario International Airport (ONT).
The proposed 4.2-mile ONT Connector project will create an innovative approach of tunneling for an underground shuttle system between Cucamonga Station and ONT terminals. The project will feature a bi-directional system where passengers traveling to and from ONT will be transported in autonomous, zero-emission vehicles on an "on-demand" basis. Omnitrans would operate and maintain ONT Connector, which would support increases in passenger volume at ONT and relieve congestion on local streets and highways.
The project would connect seamlessly to existing transit services at Cucamonga Station that include Metrolink and Omnitrans bus services, as well as new services that will include the privately funded Brightline West electrified high-speed rail connection between Las Vegas and Southern California, as well as the Omnitrans zero-emission West Valley Connector bus rapid transit service coming in 2026.
To learn more about ONT Connector and the overall project schedule, visit: goSBCTA.com/ONTconnector
| Rendering of ONT Connector station at Cucamonga Station that shows tunnel opening. | Proposed alignment of ONT Connector from Cucamonga Station to ONT. | |
GOCAL Provides Update on Mobility Action Plan to Better Connect Visitors to Hospitality, Area Attractions and Transportation Services | |
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At GOCAL's Quarterly Stakeholder gathering held in October, consultant firm Arcadis shared an update on GOCAL's Mobility Action Plan, which is designed to enhance the visitor experience through improving connectivity to area attractions, transportation services, and hospitality destinations in Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga.
The objective of the Mobility Action Plan is to develop a mobility ecosystem that provides a range of options for guests and visitors to get to their destinations at a fair and equitable cost while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. By making it more convenient for people to access a range of smart mobility services, this will have a positive ripple effect that will contribute to regional economic development.
Input received from a hotel survey and consultation with stakeholders that includes the cities of Ontario and Rancho Cucamonga, ONT, Omnitrans, SBCTA and the Simon Property Group, showed there was clear consensus for the support of the Mobility Action Plan.
The next steps of the plan are to build out a cost-ridership model that considers mobility service alternatives and mobility technologies. A cost-allocation strategy would be developed, and the findings and recommendations will be presented to the stakeholders for input. The end goal is to develop a blueprint for implementation.
To review the Mobility Action Plan update presentation and other updates from the Quarterly Stakeholder luncheon, click here.
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ONT Awarded $7M Grant for Upgrades in Security and Passenger Conveniences; State of the Airport 2024 Highlights | |
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) awarded more than $7 million to Ontario International Airport (ONT) for security and terminal upgrades which will be critical to managing higher traveler volumes and delivering the positive customer experience travelers expect.
The funding will help with reconfiguring existing security and checkpoint areas in Terminal 2 and Terminal 4 to accommodate additional screening lanes needed to effectively manage greater numbers of passengers who are choosing ONT.
The Security Screening Checkpoint Expansion Project will increase the checkpoint capacity by adding two screening lanes at Terminal 2 and one at Terminal 4, enabling officials to reduce congestion and increase passenger throughput by up to 15% during peak travel periods. The project also includes the construction of new secure area exit corridors and improves conditions for passengers with special needs.
These improvements are key as ONT is on pace to serve more than 7 million passengers in 2024. On November 19, ONT reported a 44th straight month of year-over-year passenger growth. ONT's remarkable growth since returning to local ownership in 2016 was a highlight at the State of the Airport even in early November, which drew more than 600 business and regional leaders. Other successes in 2024 included:
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection elevated ONT’s status to that of a Landing Rights Airport, clearing the way for more international flights and cargo.
- The airport’s partnership with SSP America has resulted in the investment of millions of dollars in new restaurants and amenities in both terminals.
- ONT recently was ranked No. 2 for customer satisfaction ranking among airports in California, and No. 4 among all mid-sized airports in the U.S., by J.D. Power and Associates.
- The ONT team has won a number of major awards from industry groups such as the Moodie Davitt Report. Just last week, its Customer Experience team took home first place among medium airports from Airports Council International-North America.
For the latest ONT news, click here.
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West Valley Connector Project Photo Update | |
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Construction on the West Valley Connector Project continues as crews work on widening westbound Holt Boulevard between Corona Avenue and Mountain Avenue in the City of Ontario. This includes the removal and relocation of curbs, sidewalks, driveways, utilities, fire hydrants, and light poles.
To learn about all construction activities currently taking place as part of the 19-mile Bus Rapid Transit Line that will stop at Cucamonga Station, go to the project webpage at: www.gosbcta.com/project/west-valley-connector-brt/
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GOCAL's Michael Krouse receives SoCal hospitality industry’s top individual award for lifetime achievement | |
His resume only begins to describe Michael Krouse’s nearly 40-year impact on Southern California’s hospitality industry. As President and CEO of Greater Ontario California (GOCAL) and Regional Vice President, Convention Centers, for ASM Global, Krouse oversees some of the region’s most popular venues, is a leading advocate for travel and tourism across the state and is at the center of the Inland Empire’s emergence as a premier international destination.
In late October, the Travel and Tourism Marketing Association (TTMA) honored Krouse’s lifetime of achievement with its most prestigious individual recognition, the Anastasia K. Mann Award for selfless and dedicated contributions to promoting travel and tourism in Southern California.
As Regional Vice President for ASM Global, Krouse is responsible for the oversight of 12 convention centers, two convention and visitor bureaus, two arenas, three performance centers, four water parks, one sports complex and the California Welcome Center at Ontario Mills Mall. Krouse serves as President and CEO of GOCAL, Toyota Arena and the Ontario Convention Center, while overseeing the Greater Ontario Tourism Marketing District, which features 68 hotels and 6,749 hotel rooms. The Tourism Marketing District generates more than $100 million in annual economic impact and is the hub of a growing regional hospitality industry that employs 186,000 workers in the Inland Empire.
Krouse’s tireless advocacy of Greater Ontario and the IE has helped position the fast-growing region as a premier international destination with Ontario International Airport that makes “So Cal, So Easy.”
“We are the new center of Southern California. It’s where people are coming to live. It’s where people are coming to work. And it’s where visitors from all over the world are coming to enjoy themselves,” Krouse said.
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