Metrolink faces a budget crisis that could eliminate weekend and off-peak service, reducing operations by 40%. This follows a record ridership year and threatens a transit death spiral.
Key facts: 1) Metrolink set a weekend ridership record in March 2025 but now proposes cuts due to a $30M deficit. 2) The cuts would force 6 million annual riders onto congested freeways with gas over $6/gallon.
3) OCTA's subsidy per rider is $16.84, not $30 as claimed, and costs per passenger mile are similar to OC Bus. 4) Similar cuts led to the termination of Minneapolis's Northstar line.
Advocates call for public action to prevent service collapse and protect the 2028 Olympics transit needs.