LOS ANGELES (CNS) — Metro's Board of Directors Thursday approved $1.6 million to boost rail service along its Antelope Valley Line, expected to lead to an increase of midday and evening round trips, and new security services for late-night trains.

Director and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger initiated the request for additional funding. The Antelope Valley Line, or AVL, will implement its service changes starting on October 23.

According to Barger's office, the added Metrolink service will "significantly improve" public transportation accessibility and availability for county riders across the Antelope, Santa Clarita and San Fernando valleys.

"Since the outset of the pandemic, we've been keeping a close eye on Metrolink ridership recovery and have found there is a demand for service that we historically haven't provided," Barger said in a statement. "So, when the opportunity presented itself, I seized the moment to both bring back pre- pandemic service levels and advance how we serve the needs of our previous, current and future riders."

The new schedule will provide riders with "predictable" train arrivals throughout the day, fill midday service gaps and provide options for riders who work unconventional hours or who use Metrolink to attend community events or visit family within reach of the AVL.

Metro secured funding for these improvements using earmarked monies for regional rail.

During Thursday's meeting, the board also approved a motion by Ara Najarian, Hilda Solis, Paul Krekorian and Barger, which seeks to address issues throughout the AVL related to train horn noise.

"Service changes can also introduce some challenges," Barger said in a statement. "Train horns, for example, are critical for safety but can create quality-of-life issues for residents who live nearby."