Comments on: Metrolink Next Up for Fare Hikes http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/03/17/metrolink-next-up-for-fare-hikes/ Covering Los Angeles's livable streets movement Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:23:58 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: LAPassenger.com http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/03/17/metrolink-next-up-for-fare-hikes/comment-page-1/#comment-526 LAPassenger.com Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:36:22 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/03/17/metrolink-next-up-for-fare-hikes/#comment-526 The Ventura County Star published a front page article this morning regarding the proposed fare increases on Metrolink. Here is the link: http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/mar/28/metrolink-likely-to-raise-fares-rising-costs/ I also was in attendance at the Metrolink Board meeting this morning. They did not mention service cuts, but the main driver is definitely the diesel fuel costs, operational improvements (equipment/track/etc), and the increase in transfer fare reimbursement (currently 75cents, going up to $1.10). Metrolink also made a very wise move years ago to pre-purchase fuel at established costs, known as fuel-hedging. Had they not made this prudent step, the proposed fare increase could have been significantly higher. There will be a public hearing on April 25th (refer to the Metrolinktrains.com website for details). The Ventura County Star published a front page article this morning regarding the proposed fare increases on Metrolink. Here is the link:
http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/mar/28/metrolink-likely-to-raise-fares-rising-costs/

I also was in attendance at the Metrolink Board meeting this morning. They did not mention service cuts, but the main driver is definitely the diesel fuel costs, operational improvements (equipment/track/etc), and the increase in transfer fare reimbursement (currently 75cents, going up to $1.10).

Metrolink also made a very wise move years ago to pre-purchase fuel at established costs, known as fuel-hedging. Had they not made this prudent step, the proposed fare increase could have been significantly higher.

There will be a public hearing on April 25th (refer to the Metrolinktrains.com website for details).

]]> By: Alan Criswell http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/03/17/metrolink-next-up-for-fare-hikes/comment-page-1/#comment-505 Alan Criswell Thu, 27 Mar 2008 04:15:36 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/03/17/metrolink-next-up-for-fare-hikes/#comment-505 As to the resent plan to increase Metrolink fares, of course. When considering the cost of fuel, it is understandably necessary. Reducing rail service! Not Acceptable. When factoring in the cost of fuel to consumers and the ever increasing congestion on our highways, the answer is fairly simple. Al As to the resent plan to increase Metrolink fares, of course. When considering the cost of fuel, it is understandably necessary.
Reducing rail service! Not Acceptable.
When factoring in the cost of fuel to consumers and the ever increasing congestion on our highways, the answer is fairly simple. Al

]]> By: LAPassenger.com http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/03/17/metrolink-next-up-for-fare-hikes/comment-page-1/#comment-497 LAPassenger.com Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:23:49 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/03/17/metrolink-next-up-for-fare-hikes/#comment-497 I run a website for Metrolink passengers and I was not aware of the 7.5% increase. I can tell you that the media did pick it up as I was contacted by a major Ventura County newspaper who will be reporting on this today or tomorrow. I ride the Metrolink each day, and as long as my fare increases less than the gas prices go up, that's a good hedge for keeping my expenses predictable. I run a website for Metrolink passengers and I was not aware of the 7.5% increase. I can tell you that the media did pick it up as I was contacted by a major Ventura County newspaper who will be reporting on this today or tomorrow. I ride the Metrolink each day, and as long as my fare increases less than the gas prices go up, that's a good hedge for keeping my expenses predictable.

]]> By: Francisco http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/03/17/metrolink-next-up-for-fare-hikes/comment-page-1/#comment-441 Francisco Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:13:49 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/03/17/metrolink-next-up-for-fare-hikes/#comment-441 Besides the fact that Robert probably needs some sleep (3:41 am posting!?), fare tables have been posted on the Metrolink website showing potential fares at 3.5%, 5.5% and 7.5% above current fares. Robert is correct that the percentages are systemwide averages. Some fares will actually be above the mentioned percentage and some will be below. The great majority will be very close to the mentioned percentage. Two of the files are rather large and all require Microsoft Excel® to view. Besides the fact that Robert probably needs some sleep (3:41 am posting!?), fare tables have been posted on the Metrolink website showing potential fares at 3.5%, 5.5% and 7.5% above current fares. Robert is correct that the percentages are systemwide averages. Some fares will actually be above the mentioned percentage and some will be below. The great majority will be very close to the mentioned percentage. Two of the files are rather large and all require Microsoft Excel® to view.

]]> By: Robert http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/03/17/metrolink-next-up-for-fare-hikes/comment-page-1/#comment-433 Robert Tue, 18 Mar 2008 08:41:24 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/03/17/metrolink-next-up-for-fare-hikes/#comment-433 The big problem is that the fare matrix has not been published. The 7.5% is actually an average, since Metrolink also changed their pricing structure from a zone structure to a point to point structure, resulting in thousands of fares for all the categories. Thus, you could see an increase in fares of 12% or more if you are in an unlucky station pair that was allegedly "advantaged" in the past (i.e., Montebello-Burbank Airport, which used to be in one zone but now is charged a higher amount because of the point to point system; never mind the fact that this was done was to compensate riders for the necessary transfer). The big problem is that the fare matrix has not been published. The 7.5% is actually an average, since Metrolink also changed their pricing structure from a zone structure to a point to point structure, resulting in thousands of fares for all the categories. Thus, you could see an increase in fares of 12% or more if you are in an unlucky station pair that was allegedly "advantaged" in the past (i.e., Montebello-Burbank Airport, which used to be in one zone but now is charged a higher amount because of the point to point system; never mind the fact that this was done was to compensate riders for the necessary transfer).

]]> By: Dave H. http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/03/17/metrolink-next-up-for-fare-hikes/comment-page-1/#comment-426 Dave H. Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:27:12 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/03/17/metrolink-next-up-for-fare-hikes/#comment-426 Typo: 'underfund' is one word. Typo: 'underfund' is one word.

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