More rate increases in store for Metrolink

Last year, Metrolink's board of directors approved annual fare adjustments of 3.5 percent for three years.

Due to the rising cost of diesel fuel, scheduled increases in costs for operating services contracts and new startup costs for additional passenger cars in 2009, the board is considering a fare increase of up to 7.5 percent as well as potential service reductions to take effect on July 1.

Following are the proposed increases for the Group Travel Program:

•Raise the discounted round-trip Group Travel fare from $7 to $10.

•Increase the minimum number in a group to qualify for the discounted fare from 10 to 15.

•Index future increases to systemwide fare change proposals but only increase the fare when the cumulative total of increases is equal to or greater than $1.

The public may comment on these changes by fax to (213) 452-0421, by e-mail to MetrolinkFares@scrra.net or by attending a public hearing at 10 a.m. Friday, April 25 at the Southern California Associated Governments San Bernardino Conference Room, 818 W. 7th St., 12th Floor, Los Angeles.

Comments may also be mailed to Metrolink Fares, 700 S. Flower St., 26th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017.

For more information on rate increases, train schedules, fare calculation or station locations, visit www.metrolinktrains.com.