California State Rail Plan 2005-06 to 2015-16

Chapter IX – Commuter Rail Services
Saturday and Sunday service is also operated on the San Bernardino Line, and
Saturday service is run on the Antelope Valley Line. Most weekday trains operate
during peak commuting hours before 8:30 a.m. and after 3:30 p.m. Trains run on
modified schedules on three holidays but are not run on four major holidays.
Metrolink has 512 route miles in its regional rail system. All Metrolink stations
have ticket vending machines. Stations on the Metrolink routes are owned by the
cities or regional transportation commissions, and 22,464 parking spaces are
provided, most of which are free.
During FY 2005-06, Metrolink expects to expand service to 146 trains each
weekday, 32 regular weekend trains, and 12 Summerlink weekend trains serving
the Inland Empire and Orange County areas from July to October. Average
weekday ridership is projected to total 40,250 daily one-way trips for the FY.
In FY 2005-06, total rolling stock available will be 39 locomotives (including one
leased from Sound Transit) and 151 commuter rail cars including
37 cab cars (four leased from Sound Transit) and 114 passenger cars (eight leased
from Sound Transit). In addition to operating commuter rail service, SCRRA
dispatches and maintains in excess of 60 percent of the territory over which it
operates. On a daily basis, SCRRA currently dispatches 142 Metrolink trains,
up to 36 Amtrak intercity trains between Moorpark and San Diego,
22 NCTD-operated Coaster trains, and between 70 and 80 freight trains.
SCRRA is also responsible for the maintenance of over 337 track-miles of ROW
owned by SCRRA member agencies.
FARE STRUCTURE
Metrolink has a barrier free system with ticket vending machines at all stations.
Tickets must be purchased in advance from automated ticket vending machines
located at all station platforms. The machines accept cash, credit card, or debit
cards and tickets can also be purchased at Union Station, through employee
transportation coordinators or through the mail. Through June 30, 2005,
the system had a multi-zone fare structure and ticket prices were based on the
number of zones traveled. On July 1, 2005, SCRRA began a ten-year transition to
distance-based fares. All tickets are designed to include free transfers to
connecting public transportation. The system has a proof-of-payment system
where riders must show proof of their ticket when asked to do so during random
spot checks by fare enforcement personnel. Ticket types available include oneway
tickets, round-trip tickets, ten-ride tickets, and monthly passes. Discounts of
50 percent are offered to seniors and the disabled. Youth may travel at half the
fare for all types of tickets on weekends only.
Metrolink participates in the Rail 2 Rail program, which began in 2002, and
allows Metrolink and Amtrak to accept certain tickets, issued from each other’s
rail services. Metrolink monthly pass holders for the Orange County and Ventura
County Lines can use any Amtrak train for any part of their travel within the limits
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