Provides funding for additional service and safety technology with no fare increase

Los Angeles CA— Last week the Metrolink Board of Directors approved the Fiscal Year 2020 (FY2020) budget totaling $329.7 million, which includes funding to improve service on several lines, investments in safety technology and no increase in fares.
The budget was passed by Directors who represent the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC), the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) and the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC), the five agencies that comprise the Southern California Regional Rail Authority.
The operating budget for FY2020 represents a 4.6 percent increase compared to the FY2019 operating budget. The Capital Program authority totals $66.8 million; $63.7 million for Rehabilitation Projects, and $3.1 million for New Capital Projects. The Carryover of Rehabilitation Projects approved from prior years is $159.3 million, and carryover of New Capital Projects approved in prior years is $36 million.
Included in the budget is the implementation of intraoperative Positive Train Control (PTC) as a centerpiece of Metrolink’s emphasis on safe operations. PTC is a safety technology using Global Positioning System, wireless radio and computing technologies that can stop a train and prevent train-to-train collisions, over-speeding derailments and unauthorized train movement.
Attracting and retaining customers is one of Metrolink’s primary goals and, to achieve that, the budget provides additional funds for outreach, advertising and marketing campaigns.
Additional items include investments on existing equipment to maintain a state-of-good repair. Properly functioning assets help to maintain on-time performance that enhances customer experience.
The budget aligns with several strategic goals including to maintain fiscal sustainability, invest in people and assets, retain and grow ridership, improve communication to customers and stakeholders as well as improve organizational efficiency.
For more information about Metrolink, please visit www.metrolinktrains.com.