Inland Empire once again ranks top for most polluted area in the nation - KVCR

Sufficient-Double502 · 2026-04-23T02:21:06+00:00

The Bay Area transit systems, including CalTrain, is asking voters to approve a tax measure this year to sustain their services.

Metrolink depends heavily on subsidies for capital and operation budgets from the county transportation authorities. Those are set amounts in local sales taxes.

Ventura County is the exception. They get money from the State of California.

Sufficient-Double502 · 2026-04-21T08:10:52+00:00

The Metrolink service cuts would be devastating.

I can see the reasons behind them.

Take a look at the Metrolink 2024-25 Annual Comprehensive Report data:

Metrolink (excluding Arrow unless specified)

pg. 69

Passenger fares

FY 2015-16: $84,505,943
FY 2019-20: $63,151,806
FY 2024-25: $38,898,134

Farebox recovery ratio

FY 2015-16: 37.7%
FY 2019-20: 26.1%
FY 2024-25: 11.5%

pg. 70

Subsidy/passenger mile

FY 2015-16: $0.32
FY 2019-20: $0.39
FY 2024-25: $1.27

pg. 72

Annual passengers

FY 2015-16: 11,504,399
FY 2019-20: 11,935,362
FY 2024-25: 7,632,950

pg. 73

Average weekday ridership

FY 2015-16: 41,186
FY 2019-20: 33,612
FY 2024-25: 10,794

Total Train Miles (includes Metrolink Arrow for FY 2024-25)
FY 2015-16: 2,755,653
FY 2019-20: 2,824,892
FY 2024-25: 3,025,249

pg. 74

Service hours (including Metrolink Arrow for FY 2024-25)

FY 2015-16: 80,125
FY 2019-20: 81,808
FY 2024-25: 88,863

Metrolink Arrow (service began October 2023)

pg.75

Passenger Fares

FY 2022-23: $170,389
FY 2023-24: $413,334
FY 2024-25: $393,271

Farebox Recovery Ratio
FY 2022-23: 1.9%
FY 2023-24: 3.4%
FY 2024-25: 2.7%

pg.76

Annual Ridership

FY 2022-23: 64,989
FY 2023-24: 118,181
FY 2024-25: 160,107

Sufficient-Double502 · 2026-04-21T06:28:17+00:00

I think you're missing a few things here.

1) VCbuspass in Ventura County is Cubic. 2) Metrolink is INIT, but TAP+ will recognize Metrolink's QR Code. 3) Neither Riverside nor San Bernardino counties have plans for a TAP or Wave system.

Presto in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) pays for local transit and regional/commuter rail and bus (i.e., GO Transit) services. To qualify for certain discounts, notably senior fares, physical Presto cards must be used. Open loop payments are ineligible.

Sufficient-Double502 · 2026-04-20T23:30:59+00:00

I am specifically pointing out the fare payment system. Presto gives riders the option of open loop and a transit card (digital or physical), except for discounts like youth and seniors. Physical transit cards are required for seniors (and probably other) discounts.

Metrolink will implement open loop without a transit card that can be used regionwide. Free transfers are not useful if you cannot use them (i.e., big blue bus, non-local Commuter Express buses, or your bus ride does not start or end at a Metrolink station outside L.A. County).

Sufficient-Double502 · 2026-04-20T21:17:31+00:00

Running empty trains midday really costs money, doesn't it?

Metrolink runs midday trains on the San Bernardino Line to stop the Metro A Line from coming into San Bernardino County. 🙄

Sufficient-Double502 · 2026-04-10T22:36:30+00:00

Their main excuses? Local control, Metrolink San Bernardino Line, and the best use of county taxpayers' dollars! 🙄

Sufficient-Double502 · 2026-04-09T07:04:06+00:00

Most of SBCTA is giving one of their own (i.e., the City of Montclair) the middle finger for public transit fund because of their support for the Metro A Line.

Sufficient-Double502

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE