Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
APRIL 11, 2018
Subject
SUBJECT: METROLINK SAN BERNARDINO LINE (SBL)
25 PERCENT FARE DISCOUNT SIX-MONTH PILOT
PROGRAM
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
CONSIDER:
A. APPROVING the Metrolink San Bernardino Line 25% Fare Discount Six-month Pilot Program;
B. PROGRAMMING up to $2 Million in prior year Proposition C 10% surplus funds for FY 2018-19 funding only for the Metrolink SBL 25% Fare Discount Six-month Pilot Program; and
C. AUTHORIZING the CEO to enter into all agreements necessary to implement the Metrolink SBL 25% Fare Discount Pilot Program.
Issue
ISSUE
In January 2018, Directors Solis, Najarian, Barger, Krekorian and Fasana directed the Chief Executive Officer to work with the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) and San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) to develop a strategic plan to implement a Fare Discount Pilot Program to better understand the potential impact to ridership and demand for additional service on SBL and report back in 90 days (refer to Attachment A-Metro Board Motion #44). In partnership with SBCTA and collaboration with SCRRA, staff is returning to the Board with recommendations to implement a six-month 25% "across-the-board" Fare Discount Pilot Program on the Metrolink San Bernardino Line (SBL), to start as early as July 2018.
DISCUSSION
The Metrolink SBL had the highest ridership in the Metrolink regional commuter rail system historically until 2016. Since then, over the past five years, the SBL has continued to experience a steady decline with an average drop of 16% in ridership. Currently, there is an excess seating capacity of up to 69% during non-peak weekday period and up to 75% on weekends. Factors contributing to ridership loss on the Metrolink SBL include low fuel prices, increased car ownership, service reliability and on-time performance issues, in addition to a 27% ridership loss at the ...
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