Southern California Metrolink Travel

Navigating Southern California Public Transportation

Oct 24, 2009

Public Transportation in Southern California is a vastly underused resource for travel and exploration.

While fuel prices, parking prices, and freeway congestion have continued to rise in spite of the struggling economy, very few Southern Californians have chosen to leave the car in the driveway or garage and take public transportation instead.

Many Californians hold to a false stigma that public transportation is unsafe or undesirable. While the MTA offers discounts to students and the elderly, they are far from the majority of riders.

Take for example a trip from Riverside, CA to Los Angeles, CA to see a performance at the Ahmenson Theater. At a distance of 97 miles each way the fuel costs are approximately $23 in fuel for the round trip. Parking at the event is normally $15 or higher per vehicle, and location of parking in proximity to the theater is only guaranteed to be within 7 blocks of the venue. Additionally, traffic may cause the trip to take in excess of 2.5 hours each way.

As an alternative, with a $13 round trip ticket and a guaranteed travel time of 2 hours including the Metrolink and Subway, the driver can read a book, compose a letter, people watch, nap, or simply enjoy the view. All at a savings of $25 or more on a single trip.

Not only does the pocket book and the rider's stress level profit from this situation, but the environment does so as well. With one less car on the road, vehicular polution is less.

Over 400 major corporations in California and several other states offer substantial discounts on monthly passes and other incentives thru their commuter assistance programs.

Just one example of the various lines that run on a daily basis is the Inland Empire-Orange County and 91 Line.

Stations

With 17 trains and 11 Amtrack routes M-F each way from 4:52 am to 8:28pm and additional times on the weekends, most Southern California destinations are accessible by public transportation.

Transportation on all major busses, subways, and trolleys are included free of charge all day with a one-day or round trip pass, or three hours with a one-way ticket.

Tickets are available from automated kiosks at every station but are not sold onboard the train. And conductors and officers do come thru and check tickets at random intervals throughout the route, and if a passenger is found onboard without a valid ticket, the officer generously writes one of their own at a price of $250-$350 minimum fine. Not a joke.

Additionally, the Metrolink occasionally provides transportation to "special events" such as:

While like any other worthwhile endeavor, the Southern California Public Transportation System has rules and some bugs to work out and is constantly improving, it is a travel option not to be overlooked for occasional use and hopefully, eventually as a standard mode of transportation.

The copyright of the article Southern California Metrolink Travel in California Travel is owned by Cecilia Johnson. Permission to republish Southern California Metrolink Travel in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.