The following excerpt appeared in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune on February 17, 2016. To read the full article, click here.

What was learned on the Gold Line Foothill Extension’s first passenger test ride – San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Ralph Newman, train operator, left and Arnold Johnson, supervisor on new Kinkisharyo Gold Line train. Metro CEO Phil Washington and several members of Metro Board of Directors take sneak peak train ride on Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension, passing through all six new station stops in Arcadia, Duarte, Irwindale, Azusa, Azusa Pacific University/Citrus College Wednesday, February 17, 2016.(Photo by Walt Mancini/Pasadena Star-News)

By Steve Scauzillo

February 17, 2016

[Excerpt]:

The first passenger ride on the 11.5-mile Gold Line Foothill Extension went off with only a few glitches Wednesday, a preview of the public opening March 5 of the easternmost Metro Rail train in Southern California.

As journalists from print, broadcast and the blogosphere jockeyed for interviews, some were thrown by the light-rail train’s inertia at the station stops. At one point, the train’s electronic sign misspelled its final stop as “Asuza.” Finally, the Siri-like voice announced the arrival at the Chinatown station instead of the new Arcadia Station.

Metro CEO Phil Washington, on board the $1 billion extension for the inaugural ride, welcomed Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) board members, staff and the media: “We are about to embark on our very first passenger ride. This is a great milestone for us as we work throughout the county to expand the Metro rail system,” he said as the train left the Sierra Madre Villa Station filled with passengers headed for six new easterly stations.

To read the full article, click here.