Metrolink raises fares for first time in 13 years, by up to 27%

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 4, 2026

Metrolink will raise its fares by up to 27% starting Monday, marking the first increase in 13 years to address declining revenue and rising operating costs. The hike, which includes significant increases to weekly and monthly passes, aims to stabilize the rail system’s finances amid reduced ridership since the pandemic.

Metrolink will implement its first fare increase in 13 years starting Monday, with prices rising by as much as 27%. The decision comes amid declining revenue from state and federal sources, decreased ridership following the COVID-19 pandemic, and increasing operating expenses, officials said.

Under the new fare structure, the weekly Southern California Day Pass, previously $15, will increase to $19, reflecting a 27% rise. Monthly passes will see a 20% increase, moving from $10 to $12, while one-way tickets will go up by 14%, with prices varying based on distance traveled.

Metrolink, operated by the Southern California Regional Rail Authority, oversees a commuter rail network serving parts of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties. The system manages an operating budget exceeding $350 million and carries an average of more than 23,000 passengers on weekdays and approximately 235,000 on weekends.

Darren Kettle, Metrolink’s chief executive, emphasized the necessity of the fare adjustments to maintain the system’s financial health. “Metrolink has worked hard to keep fares affordable while the cost of operating and maintaining our regional rail system has continued to rise,” he said in a statement. “These pricing adjustments are one step in a broader effort we are taking to responsibly address those pressures and support Metrolink’s long-term financial sustainability.”

The fare increase has drawn criticism from some riders and advocacy groups. Adriana Rizzo of Californians for Electric Rail expressed concerns about the agency’s transparency and the pace of budget decisions. “Metrolink is in crisis right now with these budget cuts and I’m not seeing a lot of transparency and oversight at this board,” she said. “The timeline between these proposed budgets and the cuts is extremely short, which I think is quite disrespectful to riders, where one train being canceled can make the difference for whether they can get to work or not.”

Metrolink is one of the two primary transit providers in the Los Angeles area, complementing services offered by Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Officials have noted that the fare adjustments are part of broader efforts to address financial challenges brought on by changing travel patterns and funding reductions.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.