Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
JANUARY 17, 2018
Preamble
Motion by:
Solis, Najarian, Barger, Krekorian, and Fasana
Item 44: Metrolink San Bernardino Line Fare Discount Pilot Program
Over the past several years, Metrolink has made tremendous strides to attract more riders to its system and become a more viable option for Southern California residents. Since introducing the 25% Fare Discount Program on the Antelope Valley Line (AVL) in July of 2015, ridership has grown 27% in FY 2016-17 compared to FY 2014-15. The increased ridership and associated fare revenues has resulted in recovering more than 80% of funds originally allocated to the program. Assuming the upward ridership trend continues, the AVL Fare Discount Program is projected to "break even" by the summer of 2018.
In December of 2016, the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) funded and replicated the discount program to stimulate ridership growth at four new stations along the 24-mile Perris Valley Line (PVL) extension. Due to initial success, RCTC is seeking to offer the discounted fare for an extended period of time.
While the AVL and PVL are realizing a ridership uptick resulting from the program, Metrolink's most heavily used line, the San Bernardino Line (SBL) is steadily declining. Over the past five years, the SBL has experienced an 11% drop in ridership with an excess of seating capacity throughout the line, including all peak hour trains. Moreover, the population density and intense congestion on the I-10 and I-210 freeways that parallel the SBL corridor are strong indicators that Metrolink has the potential to maximize ridership on the San Bernardino Line. Given the available seats to fill and the need to retain and grow ridership on the SBL
Subject
SUBJECT: MOTION BY SOLIS, NAJARIAN, BARGER,
KREKORIAN AND FASANA
Heading
METROLINK SAN BERNARDINO LINE FARE DISCOUNT
PILOT PROGRAM
Title
WE THEREFORE MOVE that the Board direct the CEO to work with the...
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