The SOCAL public transportation is not a joke. It may not be up to your standards, but it gets the job done.Now onto your question...Metrolink does not own the tracks on which it travels, therefore it must pay to use those tracks. Metrolink does not target users who may only use the system once or twice a month. Many employers pay for their workers to use Metrolink, and many cities pay its people to use the park and ride system in place. Plus there are ways to get tax discounts on what you pay to use this system.Other places such as the Speedway or Anaheim Stadium offer free or discounted tickets when you use Metrolink to arrive to their locations.Metrolink s purpose is to link far away areas with downtown LA. The few stops in between are just a bonus and this is why it cost so much. It was not created to be a trolley or subway type system with frequent stops. It is more of an Amtrak type system then a rail system.If you are going to use this system frequently, then look into programs that will pay for it, or will discount some of the monthly rates, they are out there.
SoCal public transportation is still growing. It s not very good yet.I ve priced this out myself, and found that the break even point for me was $1.70 per gallon. Once gas gets above that, it s cheaper for me to take the Metrolink. Did you price it out using the monthly pass? Sometimes it takes a spreadsheet to figure out the savings. Metrolink is rather expensive because of the distances involved. Really, when you think about it, it s somewhat of a luxury. I enjoy not being stuck in traffic. I also enjoy the same folks, as I usually try to sit in the same area in the same car on my trip.Good luck.
I agree. Metrolink is very expensive in comparison if to MTA s metrorail. You can travel from North Hollywood to Long Beach (about 38 miles) on a $62 monthly pass or $5 day pass. Try the same distance from let s say Upland station to Union Station (36 miles), its $220 pass. Yes,the MTA is expanding and I am waiting for the foothill extensions and other eastside extensions of the metrorail. I guess metrolink is meant only for riders with reimbursements, people with money, but not your average joe. I mean, I tried using it many times but it is never economical especially when you have more than one rider. I find the MTA rails to be wonderful, but its still expanding. Whenever MTA rail finish all its expansions, then the system would be good and cheap. Its still rudimentary in comparison to major cities around the world.
Actually, Metrolink is not that expensive compared to Amtrak or other rail services. It s also usually cheaper than driving (unless you have 3-4 people in the car) when you take into account the cost of maintenance and wear and tear on your car.Also, although individual Metrolink rides are quite expensive, when you buy a 10-day or monthly pass it becomes much cheaper.
now i hope you are not mixing up Metro (MTA subway (redline, blue line,.gold line, Green Line)with METROLINK they are NOT the same animalmetrolink is the commuter train service from Ventura,Lancaster,Orange County, Riverside, andSan BernardinoMetro is MTA rail lines..======================================��if you mean metrolink -did you know that your metrolink ticket is also valid on connecting transit (including metro lines, and several other transit agencies?)======================================��