METROLINK ADDING CARS TO 5 ROUTES.

Byline: - Lisa Mascaro

Metrolink's standing-room-only trains that cross the San Fernando Valley on the route between the Antelope Valley and Union Station are getting extra cars to relieve crowding, officials said.

Over the next two weeks, five rush-hour routes that have been running at 95 percent capacity or more will get an additional car. Riders said the extra space is welcome relief.

``The train is like a sardine can at 5 o'clock,'' said Bart Reed, executive director of San Fernando Valley-based The Transit Coalition, who rode on one of the expanded trains this week.

``Being able to add another 100-some seats is a wonderful thing. It's like opening another lane of freeway.''

The line between Lancaster and downtown has half of the 10 most-crowded trains on the Metrolink system.

Metrolink is paying $44,900 a month to lease an additional six cars and a locomotive from Seattle's Sound Transit to bolster its operations. Six more are on the way.

The Seattle cars with the distinct blue and green wave are being added to the crowded San Bernardino line, freeing up Metrolink cars for the Valley and other parts of the system.

The line between San Bernardino County and downtown Los Angeles will see two new weekday trains, as well as new short routes within the county. Those new routes debut Monday.