Amtrak, Metrolink Commuters Brace For Impact Of Potential Rail Strike

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Residents of Riverside County and the Inland Empire who ride the Metrolink and Amtrak rails could see a full stop of services starting next week, officials from those agencies warned.

While the U.S. House of Representatives made moves to bypass the nationwide rail strike Wednesday, the brunt of the measure rests on the shoulders of the Senate. The bill in question would bind companies and workers to a proposed settlement reached in September but not embraced by all 12 unions involved in the potential strike.

What would a rail strike mean to Metrolink, Amtrak In Riverside County?

In Riverside County, a national rail worker strike would result in canceled Metrolink trains across the Inland Empire-Orange County and 91/Perris Valley Lines for an undetermined length of time.

Amtrak would also be disrupted with lines closing starting Dec. 9, according to a companywide statement.

"We remain hopeful that a settlement will be reached by the deadline and appreciate your patience,” a Metrolink statement said. "As we learn more, we will share those details with updates on this page, via email, and on our social media channels. You may also call or text 800-371-5465 (LINK) for information."

President Joe Biden urged the Senate to work quickly to avoid shutdowns.

"Without the certainty of a final vote to avoid a shutdown this week, railroads will begin to halt the movement of critical materials like chemicals to clean our drinking water as soon as this weekend," Biden said. "Let me say that again: without action this week, disruptions to our auto supply chains, our ability to move food to tables, and our ability to remove hazardous waste from gasoline refineries will begin."

Residents who are planning travels on Amtrak expressed concern with bookings.

"I keep seeing ads to book train travel but what is the status of the pending strike and how will that affect Amtrak," one rider commented on Facebook.

Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner issued the following statement:

“We appreciate and support President Biden’s request for quick Congressional action to end the threat of a freight rail shutdown. A shutdown would affect Amtrak’s service across the nation, and we implore Congress to take action well before the December 9 deadline to minimize impacts to Amtrak service.”

Issues that remain outstanding are the small additions of paid family or medical leave for rail workers. According to a report from the New York Times, this is the first time since the 1990s that Congress has exercised its constitutional commerce clause.