Moorpark Councilmember Keith Millhouse was elected vice chairman of the Southern California Regional Rail Authority at a recent agency board of directors meeting.

The agency operates the Metrolink commuter rail service that serves Moorpark and Simi Valley commuters.

Millhouse is the appointed representative on the Metrolink Board from the Ventura County Transportation Commission. The commission is one of five in the region working cooperatively to operate the commuter rail system.

Under the rotation system, Millhouse will be the board chairman in 2009.

"I'm honored to accept this responsibility," said Millhouse, who is looking forward to working even more closely with other commissions and the Metrolink staff.

The commuter rail service started in 1992 and has grown into the fifthlargest commuter rail operation in the country, carrying thousands of people daily over seven routes in six counties, with trains stopping at more than 50 stations.

The first train operated by Metrolink in 1992 originated from the Moorpark station, Millhouse said.

- - Sylvie Belmond