On Friday, June 14, the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) Board of Directors held a public hearing on potential fare policy changes, a fare increase, and Title VI policies. SCRRA recommended the changes to help balance the fiscal year (FY) 2013-14, budget due to a $10.2 million in cost increases, the majority related to implementation of the positive train control project. Following the conclusion of the public outreach process, the Board voted to implement a number of fare changes for Metrolink passengers, effective July 1, 2013, as follows:
- Approve a five percent systemwide average fare increase for all ticket types, excluding student fares and weekend day passes
- Modify the weekend pass to a day pass for systemwide Metrolink travel on either Saturday or Sunday, priced at $10
- Amend the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Free Ride Policy to charge PCAs a $25 per year fee to receive an identification card, and a $10 charge per card thereafter
OCTA representatives to the Metrolink Board, Directors Michael Hennessey and Carolyn Cavecche, voted against the proposed five percent fare increase.
Discontinuation of the OCLINK Pass
On May 13, 2013, the OCTA Board directed staff to discontinue the promotional OC Link bus/rail pass, effective July 1, 2013. The OC Link Pass was a promotional pass introduced in July 2011. Despite an extensive marketing campaign, sales of the OC Link Pass were lower than desired. OCTA staff analyzed 18 months of OC Link Pass sales and usage data, from July 2011 through December 2012, and found that fewer than one percent of the passes sold on OCTA buses and two percent of Metrolink tickets sold through ticket vending machines were OC Link Passes.
The volume of tickets sold wasn't great enough to offset the revenue lost by offering the discounted fare. Due to the low volume of ticket sales, OCTA discontinued the promotional pass. However, customers can still purchase Metrolink tickets at all Metrolink ticket vending machines and Metrolink transfers to connecting buses are still available at no charge.
The volume of tickets sold wasn't great enough to offset the revenue lost by offering the discounted fare. Due to the low volume of ticket sales, OCTA discontinued the promotional pass. However, customers can still purchase Metrolink tickets at all Metrolink ticket vending machines and Metrolink transfers to connecting buses are still available at no charge.
