Orange County commuters and taxpayers will face higher costs for regional rail service beginning Monday, as Metrolink implements its first fare increase in 13 years. The agency announced that fares will rise by up to 27%, citing declining funds from state and federal governments, a dip in ridership following the COVID pandemic, and rising operating costs.
The increases include a 27% jump for the weekly SoCal Day Pass, which will go from $15 to $19. Monthly passes are set to rise 20%, from $10 to $12, while one-way tickets will increase by 14%, with prices varying by distance. Metrolink Chief Executive Darren Kettle stated that these pricing adjustments are "one step in a broader effort we are taking to responsibly address those pressures and support Metrolink’s long-term financial sustainability."
Metrolink, operated by the Southern California Regional Rail Authority with members from Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties, manages an operating budget exceeding $350 million. The network serves an average daily weekday ridership of more than 23,000 and an average weekend ridership of roughly 235,000. The Orange County Transportation Authority is among the entities that fund Metrolink’s budget, and it also faces cuts.
However, the fare hikes come amid growing frustration from riders and heightened scrutiny from other transit authorities. Riders have expressed concerns in recent meetings, with Adriana Rizzo of Californians for Electric Rail noting a lack of transparency and oversight at the Metrolink board and criticizing the short timeline between proposed budgets and cuts. Rizzo highlighted the critical impact on commuters, where a single train cancellation can affect their ability to get to work.
Tensions between Metrolink and L.A. Metro, another major transit authority that helps fund Metrolink, have also been apparent. Ara Najarian, who serves on both agency boards, acknowledged "very difficult financial times" and that Metro "just can’t open our pocketbooks and throw money at the agency." L.A. Metro, which has funded approximately $137 million of Metrolink’s budget, has proposed a 3% budget reduction based on Metrolink’s reported surplus.
L.A. Metro board members have scrutinized Metrolink over service cuts and safety concerns. Last month, the L.A. Metro board approved an audit into Metrolink’s parts maintenance and decision-making practices. L.A. County Supervisor and Metro board member Kathryn Barger described "catastrophic mechanical issues that have plagued Metrolink trains this year" which she said have undermined reliability and rider confidence. Barger added that "allegations of safety issues add a whole new concern and dimension to the problem that requires Metrolink take a closer look at what’s going on."
These allegations stem from new litigation filed by a former executive, who was fired earlier this year, alleging that Metrolink failed to properly maintain parts, endangering riders and employees. The lawsuit claims these issues led to at least one collision and two train breakdowns that stranded hundreds of travelers. Supervisor Barger also criticized Metrolink's Chief Executive earlier this year over what she called a "narrative" blaming Metro for its financial struggles. She stated that the situation "is not passing the smell test with how the money is being allocated" and expressed resentment, feeling that Metrolink's CEO was "holding us hostage over the money that we’re giving and deciding to do cuts instead of looking internally and looking at where he could save."
As Metrolink prepares to increase its fares, it faces significant challenges regarding its financial stability, operational transparency, and the critical issue of public safety, with mounting pressure from riders and partner agencies alike.
