Rancho Cucamonga, a car-dependent suburb 40 miles east of Los Angeles, is positioning itself to become America’s first bullet train hub when Brightline West’s high-speed rail line opens in 2028. The private rail line will connect Southern California and Las Vegas, making Rancho Cucamonga the western terminus of the $12 billion project.

The city is planning a dense, walkable urban district around its upcoming rail station, transforming the sprawling commuter town into a transit-oriented destination for the millions of passengers expected to pass through annually, contributor Sarah Stodola reports. Success ultimately hinges on Brightline’s ability to meet its ambitious deadline and ridership projections. Today on CityLab: Next Stop: Rancho Cucamonga!

— Rthvika Suvarna

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