Omnitrans names Baysden director of rail

Southern California transit agency Omnitrans has appointed Trischelle Baysden director of rail.

Omnitrans made the appointment as it prepares to launch the Arrow passenger-rail service between Redlands and San Bernardino, California. The route is slated to open in 2020.

Baysden has 25 years of experience in rail operations, including the past nine years at Metrolink. Her background includes conducting, engineering, dispatching, scheduling and federal compliance work.

She began her rail career with BNSF Railway Co., where she worked her way up from brakeman/footboard yardmaster to chief dispatcher.

The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority is leading construction of the 9-mile Arrow Line, which will include stops at the University of Redlands, downtown Redlands and the San Bernardino Transit Center.

"The startup of a new service will be new to me, so I am really looking forward to that challenge," Baysden said in a press release. "That's a milestone that some of us in the railroad industry aspire to."

The Arrow Line will feature diesel multiple units (DMU) that operate daily, arriving every 30 minutes at peak times.

Baysden and Rail Safety and Compliance Officer Loretta Rains will serve as the agency's rail team.