Could Metrolink Be the Way?
Other large metropolitan areas, including Boston, Chicago, and Toronto, have adopted the European idea of making commuter rail into a frequent mode, serving dispersed trips and carrying a tremendous share of regional travel. This was most rail supporters’ hope for Metrolink in Los Angeles. Metrolink, alone among the projects considered at the beginning of the 1990’s had the geographical span and the potential speeds to make rail popular throughout the Southland. Unfortunately, Metrolink hasn’t measured up to its potential. Metrolink has so far evaded the direct attacks that MTA has seen, largely because it built a firewall between itself and the MTA by becoming “regional.” It is not any more cost effective. And Metrolink is just as vulnerable as the MTA to the charge that it has favorite vendors and undue costs. The Reason Foundation calculates Metrolink costs at $46 per passenger, about 80 percent in amortized capital costs. Metrolink ridership continues to grow, but is a fraction of
