In case you missed it, here’s the news from Metrolink about fare hikes and service cuts.

The gist of it: as part of approving Metrolink’s annual budget, the agency’s Board of Directors also took steps toward eliminating two midday trains each on the San Bernardino and Ventura lines and toward increasing fares by six percent.

Both of those proposals have been forwarded to the member agencies that make up Metrolink for their consideration. Metro helps fund Metrolink on behalf of Los Angeles County.

The press release from Metrolink is posted after the jump.

METROLINK BOARD APPROVES PRELIMINARY
FY 11 BUDGET PROPOSAL

Motion approved to fund eight out of 12 trains previously set for possible elimination.

LOS ANGELES, April 23, 2010. The Metrolink board today responded to suggestions from the public and approved a preliminary budget proposal, including a potential 6-percent system-wide fare increase, a number of changes to fare policy and discounts, and service reductions for transmittal of the preliminary FY 11 budget to the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) member agencies on May 1, 2010 for their consideration.

At today’s meeting, board members decided to reduce the number of trains suggested for elimination from 12 to four, leaving only the San Bernardino Line midday trains 306 and 323 and Ventura County Line trains 105 and 114 set for possible elimination.

Motions were made and approved by Metrolink Board members representing LA Metro, the Orange County Transportation Authority and the Riverside County Transportation Commission to continue to fund the two Inland Empire – Orange County Line (850 and 851) and six Ventura County Line trains including two trains to Burbank/Bob Hope Airport (103, 108, 107, 112, 900, and 901.) The commitment to provide the additional funding is subject to approval by each one of those agencies’ governing Boards.

Metrolink’s Board is scheduled to consider final approval of the agency’s budget in June 2010. Changes in fares and service would take place on July 1, 2010 at the start of the next fiscal year.

ABOUT METROLINK

Metrolink is Southern California’s regional commuter rail service in its 17th year of operations. The Southern California Regional Rail Authority, a joint powers authority made up of an 11-member board representing the transportation commissions of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties, governs the service. The agency will transition the responsibility of operating Metrolink commuter train service from Connex Railroad, LLC to Amtrak on June 26, 2010.  Metrolink operates over seven routes through a six-county, 512 route-mile network.