Nearly 6 months after announcing potential service cuts, Metrolink has finally released proposed schedules for 2027. The new schedules cut 29% Weekday service and 40% Weekend service compared to 2025 schedules, for an overall cut of 32% coming as soon as November 16th. This cut is more severe than the 20% March service cuts currently in place, but lower than the 40-50% reductions we warned about earlier in the year - a clear victory for CER's advocacy. However, amidst an ongoing climate crisis, record-high gas prices, and less than two years out from the 2028 LA Olympics, any service cuts are unacceptable.
Cuts indicate a return to “commuter-style” peak-only service that is not responsive to post-pandemic trends and costs more per passenger to operate. Since the pandemic Metrolink has seen much higher weekend ridership growth, but Metrolink is ignoring this growing market in favor of chasing commuters. Additionally, the new schedules move away from pulsed scheduling that made transfers between Metrolink trains easier, as well as from clockface scheduling that made transfers to local transit easier. The end result will be more hardship for riders and fewer cost savings for the agency than you might expect.
For more background about the situation and why cuts are happening, click here.
What's getting cut?
The cuts are most severe in Orange County, in response to OCTA’s demands for service cuts and insistence on slashing $5M from their annual contribution. Some highlights:
- The Orange County Line receives 50% weekend cuts (only 2 roundtrips per day) and 38% weekday service cuts.
- No weekday service to Oceanside.
- Increased reliance on the Surfliner, which skips stops, to fill service needs. Since the Surfliner has a significantly higher fare and does not have code-sharing in Orange County, this is a stealth fare increase much higher than the one that went into effect on October 5th. For example:
Los Angeles County, which also reduced its contribution to Metrolink, also sees severe cuts in the new schedules:
- 67% cuts to weekend service on the Antelope Valley Line - now only 4 weekend round trips with the last train leaving LA at 7:21 PM.
- 27% weekday cuts to the Antelope Valley Line, affecting the shorter Santa Clarita-LA trains.
- No more 30 minute service on the San Bernardino Line - all trains are hourly or less.
- 36% weekday cuts on the Ventura County Line.
Riverside County did not slash funding for Metrolink, but still sees service cuts regardless:
- 14% cuts to 91/Perris Valley Line, 22% cuts to the Inland Empire-Orange County Line
- The cuts to the Orange County Line also reduce service by making transfers to lines serving Riverside County difficult.
- The only morning weekday train from LA/OC to UC Riverside now arrives at 7:41 A.M and departs at 4:23 PM.
San Bernardino County similarly did not cut Metrolink funding, but nevertheless is impacted by cuts. The Arrow, which is funded solely by SBCTA, keeps the same number of trains, but the changes to the San Bernardino Line affect the schedules.
- 25% cuts to weekend San Bernardino Line service, including midday trains. Now only 6 daily weekend round trips.
- 36% cuts to weekday San Bernardino Line service.
- No clockface schedule for Arrow or the San Bernardino Line, making transfers to other operators difficult. The Arrow schedules in particular vary wildly in frequency, with almost no consistent service interval.
Ventura County provides the least Metrolink funding, but did not change their allocations. Nevertheless, the Ventura County Line will see 36% weekday service cuts.
San Diego County does not fund Metrolink and does not have voting representation on the board. Perhaps as a result, they see almost all their Metrolink service cut, with no weekday service to Oceanside.
What does this mean for the future?
The budget projects $9.3M (18.1%) less farebox revenue next year despite higher fares due to lower ridership from the cuts. Metrolink used one-time state funds to prevent further cuts this year that may not be available next year. Without new revenue, Metrolink will see further service cuts next year - entering transit death spiral territory just in time for the Olympics. The reduced service could also cause the loss of slots to freight trains, making it difficult to quickly expand service if money is available in the future.
Take Action Now!
Policymakers, especially at the member agencies who hold the purse strings, need to hear from you. You can use this tool to send an email to tell the counties to fund Metrolink and stop service cuts. The most impactful way to make a difference is to give live public comment at board meetings, preferably in person if possible. Let board members know how these cuts affect you!
Important dates:
Metrolink Special Board Meeting 10/9, 10 am https://scrra.zoom.us/j/88243690937
OCTA Finance and Audit Committee 10/15 10:30 am, Orange, remote available
Metro Board Meeting 10/22, 10 am, Los Angeles, remote available
OCTA board meeting 10/26, 9:30 am, Orange, remote available