Metrolink, the regional commuter rail network, has raised its ticket prices by as much as 27%, effective this Monday, marking the first fare increase in 13 years. The move comes as the agency grapples with budget shortfalls and reductions in service, leading to significant concern among regular riders.
Specific increases include one-way tickets rising by 14%, daily passes by 27% (from $15 to $19), and weekend passes by 20% (from $10 to $12). On Sunday, at Union Station, many riders noted a lack of clear communication regarding the changes. The welcome screen at ticket kiosks merely showed a “fare adjustment” without further details, and no signage was observed near the main entrance or within the train depot.
Tonia Jones, 61, a consistent Metrolink rider for seven years, uses the train for her commute between Montclair and downtown for business and family visits. Saving for a car amidst rising gas prices, Jones expressed shock at the fare hike, stating she had no alternative. She questioned the increase, asking, “We can’t afford that! How ridiculous,” and indicated the financial pressure made her want to “just get out of California when I can.”
Gabriel Frias, 38, who has relied on Metrolink almost daily for two decades for work commutes to Van Nuys and weekend visits to his children in Fontana, voiced his disappointment. Frias pointed out that “Everyone is struggling,” and for daily commuters, this increase is “another thing they have to worry about.” He questioned the reasoning behind the hikes without offering any corresponding benefits for riders, suggesting that the increases “will affect a lot of people.”
Adriana Rizzo of Californians for Electric Rail, an advocate for overhead-electric rail systems and a regular transit rider, has previously raised concerns with the Metrolink board regarding service and ticket prices. Rizzo stated that these fare increases would “not raise enough to fill Metrolink’s budget deficit.” She added that riders face “a one-two punch of fare increases and service cuts,” making Metrolink more challenging to ride when Southern Californians are already facing high gas prices.
Metrolink is operated by the Southern California Regional Rail Authority, with oversight from transit authorities including those in Los Angeles and Orange counties. Metrolink Chief Executive Darren Kettle noted in a recent statement that the agency has “worked hard to keep fares affordable” while “the cost of operating and maintaining our regional rail system has continued to rise.” Kettle described these pricing adjustments as “one step in a broader effort” to address pressures and ensure Metrolink’s long-term financial sustainability. The agency had already reduced service earlier this year and has proposed additional cuts in recent board meetings.
Further scrutiny has recently surrounded the agency, as its operator was sued by a former executive. The former executive, who was fired this year, alleged that Metrolink has not properly maintained its parts, which he claimed led to multiple instances of mechanical failure that endangered passengers and staff. Additionally, board members at Metro, a key funder of Metrolink, have criticized the agency and its leadership over service cuts and recently approved an audit of the system.
