June 21, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Metro Board Hears Testimony on Proposed Fare Hike

Metro
The Metro Board is weighing two options to raise fares for its public transit services within L.A. County. (Image courtesy of Metro)

A four-hour hearing held March 29 to discuss Metro’s proposed fare hikes for its transit services adjourned with testimony from 165 people, two arrests, and a promise to consider all the options prior to making a final decision.

The Saturday public morning hearing was held at the Metro headquarters in Downtown Los Angeles. Among those reportedly speaking at the public hearing included users of Metro’s bus or rail lines as well as members of the Bus Riders Union.

If ultimately approved, the fare hikes would go into effect as early as Sept. 1, significantly ahead of the planned completion of the second phase of Expo Line between Culver City and Santa Monica State Beach and well in advance of the Purple Line’s arrival in Century City and Westwood.

The Metro board, which is weighing two options to increase ridership fees for its fleet of buses, light rail trains, and subways, will vote on the proposed fare hikes at its May 22 meeting.

During the public hearing, many of the speakers reportedly raised questions concerning the limited frequency of service, fare evasion, and affordability.

If the Metro board’s vote were to be influenced by last weekend’s public hearing, it would likely support Option 1 over Option 2.

In Option 1, Metro fares would incrementally increase from the current base of $1.50 per trip to $2.25 per trip during an eight-year period. The first incremental change would be from $1.50 per trip to $1.75 per trip within the first four years after the fare restructuring was approved.

Under Option 2, the base fare would remain at $1.50 per trip during off-peak hours. However, the base fare would jump to $2.25 per trip during peak hours for the first four years of the restructure before eventually jumping to $3.25 per trip during peak hours.

According to Metro, off-peak hours are between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. during weekdays as well as all day on weekends and federal holidays.

Metro officials reported Option 2 did not garner any support at the March 29 public hearing.

For a full breakdown of the fare restructuring in Option 1, please see the Metro chart here.

The fare restructuring proposed in Option 2 can be viewed here.

Also according to Metro officials, there were two arrests toward the end of the March 29 public hearing, both for allegedly disturbing the peace. One of the arrestees also might face an additional charge of assaulting a peace office, it was reported.

Metro
The Metro Red Line. (Thinkstock)

Other anticipated changes in store as a result of the proposed fare restructuring:

–       Multiple transfers on buses and trains can be made on a single fare within a 90-minute window;

–       Monthly passes could be eliminated in favor of an “EZ Pass,” which, according to Metro, “would allow for unlimited travel on Metro and other bus systems throughout Los Angeles County.”

Metro hopes to institute a fare restructuring soon in order to avoid a budget deficit as soon as 2016, coincidentally the same year the Expo Line’s Westside extension is expected to be completed.

According to Metro, the fares it charges for its bus and rail services cover just 26 percent of its costs. The transit agency also announced it anticipates a $36.8 million operating deficit within the next two years, which Metro described as “unsustainable.”

The operating deficit could grow to $225 million within the next 10 years, Metro estimates, unless a fare restructuring or other changes are implemented.

Metro stated it has only raised fares three times in the last 18 years and “has among the lowest fares of major transit agencies in the United States.”

One source of resistance by Metro users with respect to the proposed fare hikes: cracking down on fare evasion.

A Los Angeles Times report found Metro loses between $1 million and $2 million annually as a result of fare evasion.

Related Posts

LA City Councilwomen Yaroslavsky and Jurado Call for Legal Action Against Federal Immigration Raids

June 21, 2025

June 21, 2025

City Motion Targets Alleged Unconstitutional Tactics, End Qualified Immunity for Fed Officers  City Councilmembers Katy Yaroslavsky and Ysabel Jurado introduced...

Weekend Lane Closures on PCH in Malibu Could Snarl Summer Beach Traffic

June 21, 2025

June 21, 2025

Army Corps Work Triggers Weekend Closure on Pacific Coast Highway Motorists traveling along Pacific Coast Highway this weekend should prepare...

All Aboard to LAX: Metro Opens Game-Changing Transit Hub Ahead of Global Events

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

 New LAX/Metro Transit Center Comes Closer to Connecting Metro Directly to LAX The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)...

Princess Diana’s Largest Wardrobe Auction Set for Beverly Hills

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Over 200 Royal Garments to Hit the Auction Block for Charity More than 200 garments and royal artifacts, including the...

Queer Beauty Through the Ages: Getty Hosts Lecture on Greek Art’s Influence on LGBTQ Aesthetics

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Art Historian to Trace Homoerotic Imagery From Ancient Greece to Modern Queer Identity As part of its ongoing Pride Month...

Food Fight on the Venice Boardwalk: Chefs Stand Up for Immigrants with Food

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Turk’s Pizza Party Rallies Top Local Eateries for an Immigrant Rights Fundraiser In a bold display of culinary activism, Turk’s...

Navy Vietnam Vet Finally Gets His UCLA Commencement Moment

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

John Fong, 80, Missed His Graduation in 1968 While in Vietnam  Nearly six decades after completing his studies, U.S. Navy...

Culver City Launches Solidarity Campaign Alongside Hate Crimes Report Presentation

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Join City Leaders on June 24 for a Community Presentation on Rising Hate Incidents Local officials and residents are invited...

Films, Flair, and Panoramas: Free Cultural Events Light Up The Ebell This Week

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

The Ebell Theatre Hosts a Double Feature of Films, Plus a Coffee Talk A pair of free public events this...

Culver City Police Nab Two Suspects in Canterbury Drive Burglary Case

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

Community Tip and Set Investigation Lead to Arrest of Repeat Offenders Culver City police have arrested two suspects in connection...

9th Circuit Court Backs Trump in Battle Over California National Guard Control

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

Federal Judges Allow Trump to Retain Command of Troops in Los Angeles Federal judges on Thursday cleared the way for...

Nightly I-405 Lane Closures Begin June 23 for Sepulveda Pass Rehab

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

Caltrans Will Shut Down Select Lanes Nightly Through June 28 The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has announced overnight lane...

(Video) Where great minds grow at The Willows Community School

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

The Willows, a DK-8 co-educational school, enrolls 474 students from 57+ zip codes annually. As a balanced, progressive educational leader, experiential learning,...

(Video) The Guest List Collab Dinner with Chef Raphael Lunetta and Chef Alan Wong

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

Held at Marelle Restaurant at The Sandbourne Hotel in Santa Monica. An Incredible mix of Hawaiian and Santa Monica’s flavors...

Summer Pop-Ups Serve Crullers, Challah Donuts, Croissants, Coffee and Musical Vibes

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

Nyletta Nyletta, Challah Dad, Des Croissants Paris Bring Pastry Delights to Culver City A pair of sweet summer pop-ups are...