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Metrolink gets more funding for fare enforcement on AV Line

by The AV Times Staff • December 9, 2014

(Photo courtesy Metrolink.com)
(Photo courtesy Metrolink.com)

LOS ANGELES – The Metro Board of Directors allocated an additional $1.7 million to ensure 100 percent fare enforcement on all Metrolink Antelope Valley Line trains through June 30, 2015, according to a Metrolink news release.

This funding allows Metrolink to continue a pilot program that began Oct. 31.

“We have known for too long that we need to address this issue, and now we have committed the resources to make certain everyone on Antelope Valley Line trains have paid the proper fare and are following the rules,” stated LA County Mayor Michael Antonovich, a Metro appointee to the Metrolink Board. “Customer service and safety continue to be the highest priorities for Metrolink, and this support will allow the agency to strengthen that pledge.”

Metro is one of five county transportation agencies which govern Metrolink.

The $1.7 million will come from Metrolink-specific sources (Proposition C 10% and Measure R 3%).

In October, Metrolink launched a full fare enforcement pilot program on the Antelope Valley Line to curb fare evasion on the system, adding assistant conductors to trains to help check for tickets.

Metrolink also instituted a policy at Los Angeles Union Station to prevent people without a ticket from boarding the train and provided aggressive fare inspections at the Glendale and Burbank stations to prevent passengers from making “short-buys”, where a passenger buys a ticket for a shorter (and less costly) trip than they intend to make.

The effort has also involved multiple conductor announcements, prominent signage at all stations and periodic security sweeps by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies at intermediate stops along the line.

The initial program was scheduled to conclude in December, but with the additional funding, the program will continue through June 2015.

Metrolink staff will return to the Metro Board by the June 2015 Board meeting to provide an evaluation of the program and its effectiveness in improving the quality and security of Metrolink’s Antelope Valley Line service.

Metrolink’s goal is to secure funding and resources to have 100 percent fare enforcement on all its lines spanning more than 500 miles of track in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, and San Diego counties.

The initial exercise has allowed Metrolink to ensure people on the trains have valid fare, while improving the travel experience for passengers. As a result, revenues collected in November were higher than expected and customer satisfaction is higher on the Antelope Valley Line as fares are being checked more regularly and security is more prevalent on trains.

The Antelope Valley Line serves the cities of Palmdale, Lancaster, Los Angeles, Glendale, Burbank, San Fernando and Santa Clarita, along with unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.

Additional assistant conductors provide significant benefit in terms of fare enforcement, passenger communications and customer service.

For more information on Metrolink, visit www.metrolinktrains.com.

–

[Information via news release from Metrolink Media Relations .]

Filed Under: Lancaster, Palmdale

16 comments for "Metrolink gets more funding for fare enforcement on AV Line"

  1. gladtoseethis says

    December 10, 2014 at 9:53 am

    I’m glad that metrolink is doing this. There are a lot of people who don’t pay and prices of fares go up because of it. I get monthly pass and I really hate when prices increase. I’m currently paying 277 a month. Thanks metrolink

  2. Gorey says

    December 10, 2014 at 7:33 am

    yes yes. this will stop the 67 homeless people a day RayRay and MarMarv say are coming to Lancaster on the train. we have tens of thousands of homeless all walking on the blvd because of that train. that is bad for business.

    • Nancy P says

      December 10, 2014 at 11:24 am

      I thought it was LeeLee who said 67 homeless people come to the AV everyday from LA on the train and that’s why “they” want to close Lancaster Station.

      • Gorey says

        December 10, 2014 at 12:12 pm

        you are correct Nancy P. it was LeeLee who said it and RayRay and MarMarv who said dum stuff like it with 67 homeless a day shipped to us, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist. MarMarv continues to beat the drum of lies. it is all bs to detract from the real problem on the BLVD which is piss poor planning. where do you expect homeless people to go when all there assistance is lumped together?

        • Nancy P says

          December 10, 2014 at 3:31 pm

          If not for the homeless, the skateboarders and people coming and going from a couple bars, it would be almost empty. Bummer. I likes it when it first opened and was disappointed that it turned out to be such a sham.

          • Nancy P says

            December 10, 2014 at 3:32 pm

            *liked

          • William says

            December 10, 2014 at 5:26 pm

            @Nancy P.

            I recall visiting the blvd when it was first remodeled. While the landscaping and other things were well done and looked like quality, the poor planning was obvious.

            The median parking for starters is the overwhelming visual on the blvd besides the trees and shrubs.

            The surrounding streets didn’t have anything going on to make it a more viable destination. There are only about 2 blocks worth visiting. The banks and law offices aren’t an attraction for tourists and visitors.

            Boy, did I get a lot of static by some for telling the truth back then.

            But, over time, Rex’s behavior and actions became so objectionable, especially for people living in Palmdale and Quartz Hill, that many people refused to spend money there as did I after about the first 2 years.

            How many businesses have opened and closed in less than a year on the blvd? One person who used to post here said that the blvd ‘was an incubator for start up businesses’. WTF? I’ve heard so many excuses to explain away the failure of the blvd that needs ‘saving’ after only 4 years.

            Even if the homeless disappeared, there still isn’t much there to justify the drive. There are restaurants and cupcake stores all over the Valley.

            Rex just doesn’t seem smart enough to recognize the corrections needed and then fix the problems one of which is his big mouth that has made Lancaster a laughing stock and alienated customers from elsewhere in the Valley.

  3. Barbara says

    December 10, 2014 at 7:14 am

    It’s much better on the train since they started doing more fare enforcement.

  4. bmchanky says

    December 10, 2014 at 6:04 am

    the ride on the metro, when I go on it seems to be having more getto and very loud people on it lately, no respect for other people on the train, its not like it used to be. I used to feel safe now I don’t.

    • G. Marrion says

      December 10, 2014 at 10:32 am

      Just ride in the quiet car. It’s fun watching people get bounced out for talking loud on the phone.

  5. Max says

    December 10, 2014 at 5:32 am

    Just charge a $1 admission to everything, all the freeloaders would stay away from the productive people.

  6. Mark says

    December 10, 2014 at 5:17 am

    The train is ghetto on the weekends. I don’t recommend riding it.

    • Damien says

      December 10, 2014 at 7:03 am

      Agreed. My brother rode the train up one weekend and termed the ride, “the ghettolink.” People were begging for money on the train.

    • ghetto says

      December 10, 2014 at 7:03 am

      I ride the train on weekends, so I guess that makes me ghetto. Ghetto is good for me Mark. Better than being in a room full of stuffy elitists.

      • Eric says

        December 10, 2014 at 9:46 am

        Mark may not have stated eloquently, but it is a valid point. The last trains on Sunday nights come with a rough crowd.

        That isn’t to condemn the entire passenger group, there are rough apples (of all breeds) in that basket though.

  7. mars says

    December 9, 2014 at 10:30 pm

    As a rider of transportation I have to say they could use that money for something us Sometimes people cant afford a fare to ride.. THE MONEY SHOULD GO TO HELPING STRANDED OR persons. Who dont have enough fare money instead of passing out tickets . Makes it harder for those less fortunate. Everyone cant afford the fare and end up stranded and frustrating when companys worries mote about fares and not people…I have. Seen many stranded

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