Metrolink Approves SoCal Fare Hikes, Other Moves

Los Angeles - The Metrolink board of directors has approved a fare hike and service reductions for commuter trains in Southern California.

The board on Friday unanimously approved hiking rates 6 percent starting July 1 and cutting two trains on the San Bernardino Line and two on the Ventura County Line. Officials had suggested eliminating 12 trains, but scaled back the cuts earlier this year.

The agency estimates the cuts will save nearly $800,000 in the coming fiscal year, and the fare hikes are expected to raise $3.3 million.

On Saturday, crews from Amtrak will start operating Metrolink's trains in one of several moves made in the wake of a crash in 2008 that killed 25 people. Engineers were previously hired and provided by a private company.