Proposed system-wide reduced fares aim to increase ridership
LOS ANGELES, 2015-9-29 — /Travel PR News/ — On Oct. 9, Metrolink’s Board of Directors will hold a public hearing to evaluate potential fare policy changes, with the goal of optimizing revenue and increasing ridership.
Three proposals will be considered. The first will be the extension of the Antelope Valley Line promotional 25 percent discount on all fares with the exception of the Weekend Day Pass, which will remain at the current $10 fare.
Metrolink first introduced the six-month Antelope Valley Line promotional fare discount, which is funded by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), on July 1. In the first two months of availability, Metrolink realized a 10.2 percent increase of ridership on the Antelope Valley Line, compared to the same period in 2014. Revenue loss was limited to 17.8 percent.
Metro is one of five member agencies comprising the joint powers authority which governs Metrolink and provides funds to support the regional passenger rail service in Los Angeles County.
The second policy to be considered is a system-wide $3 “Station-to-Station” fare on all lines.
The new “Station-to-Station” fare would allow riders to purchase a one-way ticket to travel between stations for $3 per station. For example, a one-way trip from Fullerton to Anaheim would be $3, while a trip from Montclair to Pomona (two stations between origin and destination) would be $6.
The station-to-station fare is designed to encourage local trips using Metrolink as an additional transportation option, complementing local bus service.
On July 1, Metrolink also launched a promotional 25 percent discount on student and youth fares. The third policy to be considered is making the discount on Student and Youth fares permanent.
In July and August, student and youth ridership on Metrolink increased 13.5 percent, while revenue fell by just 3.5 percent, compared to the same time period in 2014.
All proposed fare increases and fare policy changes could become effective as early as November 1, 2015, if approved after the public hearing.
Comments and suggestions may be submitted orally or in writing at the public hearing, or posted in advance of the public hearing by clicking on the “eComment” option to submit an instant electronic comment at www.metrolinktrains.com/ecomments, or by mail (One Gateway Plaza, Floor 12, Los Angeles, CA 90012) if received in advance of the public hearing to the attention of Metrolink Fares at the SCRRA headquarters office, or faxed to the attention of Metrolink Fares before the hearing at (213) 452-0421. All public comments, regardless of the form of communication, must be submitted and received no later than Wednesday, October 7, 2015 at noon.
For additional details on Metrolink, please visit www.metrolinktrains.com.
ABOUT METROLINK (www.metrolinktrains.com)
Metrolink is Southern California’s regional commuter rail service in its 23rd year of operation. The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA), a joint powers authority made up of an 11-member board representing the transportation commissions of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties, governs the service. Metrolink operates over seven routes through a six-county, 512 route-mile network. Metrolink is the third largest commuter rail agency in the United States based on directional route miles and the eighth largest based on annual ridership.
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