The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) has determined not to move forward with the ONT Connector Project and will continue to evaluate solutions for connecting transit to air travel.
Providing a direct, modern connection to one of the fastest-growing airports in the nation is a clear mobility need that continues to hold strong regional value. However, after completing the Design-Build procurement process, the Board received proposals that were significantly higher than anticipated and well beyond the project’s established budget.
Even with the merits of the concept, the Board concluded that good stewardship of public resources must prevail. Advancing a project whose costs exceeded reasonable expectations would not reflect the fiscal responsibility expected by taxpayers or the standards the Board upholds in its investment decisions.
This action aligns with the Board’s recent decision to discontinue SBCTA’s participation in the Metro A-Line (Gold Line) extension to Montclair. In the case of the A-Line, the Board cited escalating costs, poor governance, and duplicative service to Metrolink as the drivers of its decision.
Building on that direction, the Board established an ad hoc committee to identify opportunities to enhance frequency on the Metrolink San Bernardino Line and strengthen first-mile/last-mile connections to key destinations along the corridor.
These decisions and tangible efforts reflect the Board’s continued commitment to prioritizing strategic investments, maximizing existing rail assets, and ensuring that transportation solutions deliver the greatest benefit to San Bernardino County residents and our regional neighbors.