LOS ANGELES – Beginning July 1, Metrolink will be offering discounted fares to riders on its Antelope Valley Line as part of a fare pilot program.
The pilot program received funding at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Board meeting Thursday.
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.
“We are very much looking forward to seeing the customer response to these new ticketing and fare options on the Antelope Valley Line,” stated Art Leahy, chief executive officer for Metrolink. “This fare pilot program is part of a larger effort by Metrolink to take a more comprehensive look at our current fare structure and ultimately identify potential fare changes which will benefit our passengers and improve ridership.”
The new fare pilot program, which will be in place for six months following its launch on July 1, will include several new ticket pricing options for riders on the Antelope Valley Line.
First, there will be a 25 percent reduction in fares on all ticket types for trips along the corridor spanning Los Angeles to Lancaster, with the exception of the Weekend Day Pass, which will remain at the current $10 fare.
Additionally, a new “station-to-station” fare will be introduced in which riders traveling during off-peak hours (9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) will be able to purchase a one-way ticket to travel between stations for $2 per station. For example, a one-way trip from Lancaster to Palmdale will be $2, while a trip from Via Princessa to Newhall (two stations between origin and destination) will be $4. The station-to-station fare is designed to encourage local trips using Metrolink as an additional mobility option complementing local bus service.
“The Metrolink fare reduction pilot program brings needed relief for the residents of the Antelope, Santa Clarita, and San Fernando valleys that had been priced out of the market, especially in the Antelope Valley” stated Antonovich, who is also a member of the Metrolink Board of Directors. “The more riders we gain through this program, the more long-distance car trips will be taken off Interstate 5 and State Route 14, enhancing mobility, cleaner air, and quality of life for Los Angeles County citizens.”
The funding approved via the Metro Board action includes the costs associated with marketing the fare pilot program, as well as ticket machine and web site programming, data collection and other related costs. It also increases Metro’s subsidy to Metrolink to account for any reduction in revenues that result from the lower fares.
LR says
Fare reductions are fine but as stated by a precious person. Until u get full body turn styles there still will be the same persons not paying as before. Don’t know why they don’t take a clue from back east stations. No one gets thru the turnstyles unless they have a ticket. It affects those that pay and see others not paying is the kicker. Security is a joke. There were people screaming on the train one night and the security person just sat there until I asked if he was going to stop it. Freeway buses just as bad. Purple arguing with the tHe driver that they put money on the card. Ridiculous. U cannot go to work in a decent environment because of the crap up in the AV.
john howard says
“If a tree falls in the forest when no one is around, does it make a sound?”
“If a transient rides a train in the AV when no one is around, do they pay the fare?”
Even with the fence improvements at the Lancaster station you can still get on the train without a ticket so what does it matter if the per station fare is $2? The people who didn’t pay before aren’t going to pay now because there is still physically nothing in place to enforce the fare. Put in turnstiles entering and exiting the stations that require a ticket. Then charge a minimum of $1 (half the per station fare) to go out without a ticket.
Daily work commuters have already learned that there are less expensive alternatives to getting to LA than Metrolink so until it becomes competitive in cost and time with taking the freeway bus it will continue to just be the felony flyer.
daniel says
I have not had the chance to ride the train yet but, these changes will make it more likely. I hope the train experience never gets as bad as the local bus experience is up here. I tried to save a little gas commuting by bus between Lancaster and Palmdale but, it’s like a “Road Warrior” day experience. Yelling, screaming, rudeness, and on and on… Hang on to your belongings or just leave them at home. Fury Road comes out on 5/15, but you can almost live it up here in the AV. LOL!
QHR says
Great plan but I’d rather pay a toll if there was a Palmdale to L.A. San Gabriel Mtn. tunnel!
Kristin W says
I would take the Metrolink to commute. However, I have three young children I need to get to three different locations in the morning and the schedule does not work out for me.
Metallman says
The only way you are going to get drivers off the freeways is by offering a more affordable option for those daily commuters to work and this is a good start. 25% reduction in fares sounds pretty good, especially if the MetroLink ticket allows you ride on the local transit buses for free. I can see myself taking the train instead of the commuter bus if that is the case.
John says
The Ghetto train just got more ghetto.
Metrolink is helping L.A. ship all their ghetto arse people up here to the AV
Vida-Marie says
No one was talking about the dangers of the Nazi-low riders and and White supremacist gangs (one of which brought a pipe bomb to my high school) when I lived in the AV. It may not be a paradise now, but don’t get it twisted it was that great before either.
ERIK says
Vida (I love that name)-
You will be happy to know that the NLR has no bearing out here any longer. There are so many gangs on the street now that those guys would get stomped if they tried to flex.
Although I do not like any gang members whatsoever, I do not miss the Nazis. Some still exist but in a much reduced (and quiet) form than compared to the early to mid 90’s. Thank God.
Rhetoric Justice says
Your so right Erik, I believe their downfall began around that time in prison as they all took turns trying their damn’st to “erase” their tattoos with wood files, solvents, all that stuff. Oh no! How could I have all most of forgotten, bad me, how about those Metalminds. lmfao.
Joking right? says
Who needs the Socialist?! We got LBC constituents!!!
Ain’t seen a NAHZEE round these parts in high on a coons age (if you think this is racist…read more often)!
With all of the local government contemplating shooting the station down just to rid the precious blvd of transients…who needs racism? We have a caste system in plain view! I hate traveling on the 14 south (north at least has trees)! If i head south…I’m taking the GHETTO train as you so aptly put it…why call it the ghetto train…because it runs right past the front of THE BLVD! Much like everything else in that area….that is the ghetto!
AVSUX says
Tryin’ to clown on LB? I got news for you. LB is a slice of heaven with bigger balls and tons of heart compared to that little do-nothing paranoid hellhole known as the Antelope Valley.
you misunderstand... says
….think it was toward LANCASTER BAPTIST CHURCH….not the LB…Jesus…people nowadays!
Lol says
Lmao…nazis??? I thought they went extinct because all thier women went black &. Didn’t come back…
Greg says
That got me laughing!
thatonechick says
This is a great idea and I hope it helps. You can’t really get anywhere in the AV unless you’re driving, which is probably why there are so many “unlicensed” drivers. Complimenting the buses with station to station fees is a good idea.