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Post by wrcousert on Aug 31, 2008 18:59:31 GMT -8
OCTA says it will expand Metrolink service within Orange County to 18 hours a day, every 30 minutes.
I have a few questions
1. Will it be possible to buy a single Metrolink pass that will give you unlimited rides between any two stations in Orange County?
2. SF Muni riders who have monthly passes can ride ride between any two SF BART stations for no extra charge. Could we see the same thing happen with Metrolink in Orange County?
3. Are there any plans to increase service to 24 hours a day?
4. Does Orange County have any plans to build additional Metrolink lines?
5. Do you think enough people will be willing to pay the current fares to justify running trains 18 hours a day every 30 minutes?
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Post by spokker on Aug 31, 2008 19:28:08 GMT -8
There was talk of Metrolink lowering fares for people who want to travel to/from stations that are very close to each other.
I think this needs to happen for Metrolink 30 minute service to be a success. Right now you pay a boarding fee as part of your ticket, then a per mile charge.
I would travel from say, Orange station to Fullerton station if it were 1-2 dollars. Right now it's $5.25 and I understand why they do that. It's commuter rail and they want riders who travel longer distances. You don't want someone who is only traveling two stations away to take the seat of someone traveling 10 stations away.
But 30 minute service between Laguna Niguel and Fullerton could benefit from more realistic fares. I fear that because none of the new service will be going to Los Angeles, the OCTA will be funding empty trains through Orange County all day.
I don't know, I hope it's a success.
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Post by wad on Sept 1, 2008 3:46:48 GMT -8
But 30 minute service between Laguna Niguel and Fullerton could benefit from more realistic fares. I fear that because none of the new service will be going to Los Angeles, the OCTA will be funding empty trains through Orange County all day. It could do reasonably well in Orange County. It's just that the fares would have to be close to something existing bus riders would pay. Low-income riders value generally value money over their time. If there was a difference in fares between a faster and slower service, poor riders will take the slower service. If OCTA strikes a deal for in-county fares, and one that could reasonably integrate with the bus system, it would do well. |
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Post by wrcousert on Sept 1, 2008 8:16:56 GMT -8
But 30 minute service between Laguna Niguel and Fullerton could benefit from more realistic fares. I fear that because none of the new service will be going to Los Angeles, the OCTA will be funding empty trains through Orange County all day. It could do reasonably well in Orange County. It's just that the fares would have to be close to something existing bus riders would pay. I would be willing to pay $100 per month for a pass that included unlimited Metrolink within Orange County. Maybe even more if they expand the Bravo! service beyond the initial three routes. I'm seriously considering moving back to OC. |
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Post by nickv on Sept 2, 2008 23:01:33 GMT -8
More OCTA Bravo! service is being considered in the South OC MIS. The new BRT line would provide a critical link between the Irvine Station and the Laguna Hills TC; right now a rush-hour only shuttle connects the two transit centers.
OCTA - More service on the way.
Get ready for more Metrolink service. It’s all part of the Metrolink Service Expansion Program (MSEP). Starting in 2010, rail service between Fullerton and Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo stations will increase. The expanded service will be rolled out over the next five years, depending on ridership and available operating funds.
In addition to more frequent service, a number of track and signal improvements will be made. The improvements include building additional passenger platforms and train turnback facilities at the Fullerton and Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo stations.
Station improvements are also part of the program. OCTA, in partnership with the City of Tustin, has hired a design team to develop and design a parking structure for the Tustin station. Construction is expected to begin in summer 2010 and take approximately 12 months to complete. When completed, the Tustin station is expected to provide approximately 850 parking spaces and additional passenger amenities such as restrooms, improved pedestrian access and improved bus access.
The City of Fullerton has also partnered with OCTA to construct a new parking structure for the Fullerton Transportation Center. The proposed 1,000-space parking structure should provide significant relief to this station. Construction of the parking structure, led by the City of Fullerton, is expected to begin during summer 2010.
Metrolink has new locomotives and rail cars on order. The new equipment will be used to add rail cars to existing Metrolink trains that are at or near capacity, and to provide locomotive and rail cars for the service expansion.
-Orange County Transportation Authority
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Post by nickv on Dec 15, 2009 9:09:05 GMT -8
OC Register - OCTA to Scale Down Metrolink Expansion on OC Line
A plan to add 32 more weekday Metrolink trains to the Orange County line beginning next summer has been scaled back due to decreasing sales tax revenue.
The Orange County Transportation Authority's Metrolink Service Expansion program – originally approved in November 2005 – now envisions adding 12 weekday trains per day to the 44 already operating.
These additional trains will travel between Laguna Niguel and Fullerton, said OCTA spokesman Joel Zlotnik.
Today, the OCTA's board unanimously voted in favor of the adjustment to match revenues, which are projected to be 40 percent less than originally anticipated.
Funding for Metrolink service comes from Measure M – the one-half cent sales tax for transportation improvements that was renewed by voters in November 2006.
While Metrolink officials are considering possible service cuts that would include temporarily suspending all weekend service to Orange County, Zlotnik said there is room to expand weekday service.
"There will be ridership for the expanded service," said Zlotnik, adding that Metrolink is looking for underperforming trains throughout the entire five-county system. "The trains that would be added on the Orange County line would be predominantly during the middle of the day... there is ridership on that Orange County line.
Remarks: As I mentioned, I'm building a TTC ABIE Campaign dubbed "Transit: Reconnecting Orange County" which will provide a gateway and assistance to our friends Orange County Transit Advocates since Orange County is the workplace for many Inland Empire residents, and LA the workplace for many OC residents.
• Concepts worth Exploring
I hope to have some of these concepts integrated into the TTC ABIE campaign Carfree Connections campaign (which is moving forward) and MetrolinkMax.
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Post by spokker on Dec 15, 2009 13:38:31 GMT -8
This was expected. I think that these extra trains will under-perform as well. I've always said that if the extra trains don't go to LA, what's the point. The OCTA is hinging all of their transit needs on rail, when they should be looking at rapid bus and eventually light rail. The LOSSAN corridor is great, but it only serves a portion of the county.
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Post by tonyw79sfv on Dec 15, 2009 19:44:17 GMT -8
Just like the telephone analogy that was brought up from another thread, Metrolink is only as good as the connections it makes. The Metro Red Line is really what made Metrolink, in addition to all the muni bus connections (like OCTA's 400 series buses); but the bulk of Metrolink riders goes to LA. So it looks like with 12 trains, that'll be on average a train between Laguna and Fullerton every hour for 6 hours, bidirectionally.
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Post by travelman on Dec 23, 2009 20:57:13 GMT -8
I agree, these trains are going to be poor performers... Large Metrolink trains, too bad DMU's can't run on same line...What would have worked better, short of going to LAUS, is to at least go to Norwalk, where, if the Green line had come, a good feeder that would help both the Green and the OC Metrolink shuttle.. Also, since I assume Norwalk would be a stop for HSR, another regional connector. Also, why is the southern point only Laguna Nigel, why not SJC or San Clemente?
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Post by James Fujita on Dec 26, 2009 11:25:22 GMT -8
I'm not sure why Laguna Niguel was picked, but I have a couple of guesses:
Laguna Niguel is double-tracked, while Capistrano is narrower. Laguna Niguel station is near the intersection of the 73 and I-5. The Laguna Niguel station is a park-and-ride station, and perhaps more convenient for south county commuters.
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