LAist: Driving Passengers Off Metrolink

Christine

Fri, 10 Mar 2006 15:33:44 -0800

Thanks to everyone for the thoughtful comments. I do enjoy riding the train every day, and I get a lot of writing done. But what I'm wondering is at what point does an increase phase out some other riders? Francisco, in particular--does Metrolink have some sort of subsidy for those riders who may not have the means?

Francisco Oaxaca

Fri, 10 Mar 2006 09:27:43 -0800

OK, so maybe a comment from a Metrolink employee may seem just a little biased but pretend (just for a moment) that I am speaking as a long-time Metrolink rider (13 years and counting). A rider who can speak from a personal viewpoint of what my fellow commuters experience on the train every day. This is what our riders consider the true value of taking public transit - how it improves their lifestyle. The recapture of that 2-3 hours of commute time you used to spend in traffic that you can now use to do the things you are always complaining that you can never get to. Read those books, do homework for that that class you have always wanted to take, do work you would otherwise have had to stay late in the office to do, etc. These things take on a value above the monetary cost of riding the train. In addition, with fuel prices the way they are these days, you save money on top of the other lifestyle benefits mentioned above. That being said, I invite you to try Metrolink for at least two weeks before passing judgment on us. I promise we will grow on you. I'll even offer you those two weeks on us. Send me an e-mail and I'll let you know how we can do this. Thanks, Francisco Oaxaca Manager, Media & External Communications Metrolink oaxacaf at scrra.net (to keep spammers at bay)

Richard Silver

Thu, 09 Mar 2006 16:39:05 -0800

The fare increase MetroLink is proposing is very small compared to the giant increase in gas prices. Besides driving your car is hardly free. (Gas. parking, tickets, repairs, insurance etc) I might agree with you if MetroLink made money, but considering fare cover less that half the operating cost, well, I can't really feel you pain. MetroLink, certainly compared to many other rail operations, is very efficant and your money is well spent. Richard Silver, Executive Director Rail Passenger Association of California www.railpac.org

ManMadeMound

Wed, 08 Mar 2006 16:11:11 -0800

Well someone has got to pay for the upswing in gas prices. Metrolink (well Amtrak all across the country) already operates at a deficit (thanks Bushy) so a fare increase is not at all surprising. Good job on taking public transportation :-D

Pete

Wed, 08 Mar 2006 14:37:41 -0800

Uh, if gasoline prices are going up by a similar percentage, it's not going to matter. Also, the I-5/CA-14 interchange is such a disaster at rush hour that those trains will still be fairly full of Santa Clarita and Antelope Valley folk.