Metrolink proposes fare increase to offset fuel costs

Southern Californa regional rail service Metrolink is proposing to increase fares between 4.5% and 9.25% to offset high fuel costs. If approved by its board of directors, the new fares will go into effect July 1, 2005. The cost of the ultra-low sulfur diesel used by Metrolink trains increased 30% in the past year. With fuel prices predicted to remain high, the additional cost could be nearly $1.7 million over the next year. Every five-cent increase in the price of diesel fuel translates into an additional expense of $280,000 annually for Metrolink. The commuter railroad had previously approved a plan for average annual increases in fares of 3.5% along with a restructering of its fare policy over a 10-year period beginning July 1, 2005.