Metrolink Seeks Fare Hike to Raise Cash

Metrolink needs cash to pay for a whopping 78 percent increase in the cost of diesel fuel, so fares may be going up.

Riders may face a 5-to-9 percent ticket price increase across the 512-mile system through Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties.

Metrolink has a $13 million revenue gap, caused mostly by a $4.7 million jump in fuel costs over the last two years. It also needs to cover $3.2 million in higher labor costs and $2.5 million in retiree health care costs "which weren't previously budgeted for."

"We are linked to fuel, unfortunately," Metrolink CEO John Fenton told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. "A fare increase is something I hate."

There will be a fare hike hearing at 10 a.m. May 24, at Metrolink headquarters, One Gateway Plaza, in downtown Los Angeles. A vote by the Metro board is set for May 30.

Comments can be emailed by going to metrolinktrains.com/ecomments and clicking on the "ecomments" link next to the agenda. Written comments can be mailed to: Metrolink, One Gateway Plaza, Floor 12, Los Angeles, CA or faxed to the attention of "Metrolink Fares" at 213-452-0421.

See the entire story here.

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