The increase in the monthly pass - the most common method of payment used by its 40,000 daily passen

Metrolink riders will pay $20.25 more for a monthly pass, part of largest fare increase go direct travel in history - Pasadena Star-News
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The increase in the monthly pass - the most common method of payment used by its 40,000 daily passengers - was part of an overall 7 percent go direct travel fare hike approved on a 9-1-1 vote by the Metrolink Board on Wednesday. Bob Bartlett, go direct travel the alternate for county Supervisor Mike Antonovich, abstained.
It is the largest percentage increase in the commuter rail line's 19-year history. And it's the 11th time the board raised fares in the past 14 years, according to Metrolink records. The previous fare increase was 6 percent in 2010 and was the highest jump until Wednesday's increase. The board did not raise fares in 2011.
Knabe, go direct travel who voted no, preferred a 5 percent hike but did not get support. Bartlett said he didn't know how Antonovich felt about the rate restructuring so he abstained. Personally, the one-time Monrovia mayor said he would have preferred the board adopt only a 5 percent hike. The board rejected a maximum 9 percent fare hike as suggested by staff for fear it would drive away too many riders.
The 7 percent fare hike will raise about $4.5 million, about one-third of the amount needed to close a $13 million go direct travel deficit in a $194 million budget. The gap is due primarily to $4.2 million in additional labor costs, $1.2 million for passenger transfer costs and $4 million in higher diesel fuel costs, according Advertisement to Metrolink. The other two-thirds - about $8.5 million - will be paid by Metrolink's member agencies. They include: the Los Angeles County Metropolitan go direct travel Transportation Authority, the Orange County Transportation Authority, go direct travel the Riverside County go direct travel Transportation Commission, San Bernardino Associated Governments and the Ventura County Transportation Commission.
"As a student, I am already paying higher tuition. So I am already suffering," testified Jose Rodriguez, a student at Cal State Los Angeles. The San Bernardino Line stops in Pomona, Claremont, Covina, Baldwin Park, El Monte and Cal State L.A. before reaching Union Station in Los Angeles.
Rodriguez, who rides the line to and from school every weekday, asked for no increase. He and others testified that Metrolink should cut costs and find other ways to raise revenues, including selling coffee and wine on board the train and at station platforms.
Some riders who commented by email said a steep increase will cause them to find a cheaper way to commute. "I've been paying about $270 per month for passes. However, I'm switching to a carpool next month. It's cheaper, I'll only be paying ... a total of $244," said one commenter.
High gas prices, which averaged $4.16 to $4.22 a gallon on Memorial Day, necessitate a functioning commuter rail system. "Many Southern go direct travel California go direct travel drivers and mass transit users will rely on Metrolink to get them through what is projected to be a very tough summer for gas prices. Maintaining current go direct travel service levels, as well as service additions such as express, weekend and holiday trains, will provide Southern California go direct travel commuters more options to escape high gas prices," Reed said.