Metrolink is looking to make significant cuts to service on its Antelope Valley Line through the Santa Clarita Valley, according to a recently proposed service schedule circulating online for the L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, also known as Metro.
The proposed schedule, which is set by Metrolink, “drastically cuts” weekend service with a 67% reduction in the number of trains. Metro is the regional operator of L.A. County rail lines.
Multiple local industry blogs and outlets following train service this month called on residents to raise their concerns with Metrolink by Friday, if they enjoy the current level of train service. On Friday, Metrolink is scheduled to approve its annual budget and hold a hearing to discuss the draft of the new service plan.
But there are other moving parts to the equation.
“This has been an unusually complex budget cycle, reflecting a combination of factors affecting Metrolink and transit agencies throughout the nation, including ridership and fare revenue that remain below pre-pandemic levels, rising operating costs, changes in state and federal funding, and financial constraints affecting our member agencies,” according to an email Tuesday from Meredith Yeoman, director of communications for Metrolink. “We’ve worked closely with our board and member agencies to develop a (2027 fiscal year) budget that responsibly addresses these pressures while supporting Metrolink’s long-term financial outlook.”
Metrolink’s budget is created collaboratively with regional operators, including Metro, according to Yeoman, with Metrolink having final say.
Metrolink has to set its budget after it has all of its regional allocations, according to a source familiar with the process who spoke on background.
Another moving piece, which was discussed at a recent North County Transportation Coalition meeting, is that Metrolink also is in the process of applying for a $20 million grant that the agency hopes could help avoid “further service cuts,” according to the source.
Yeoman also referred those interested in voicing their opinions to a Metrolink website that explains the public hearing process, as Friday’s scheduled hearing could move to next month, due to “procedural” issues.
Metro, which is a separate and distinct agency from Metrolink, the train authority, is expected to approve its annual budget Thursday.
A representative for L.A. County 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger shared a Tuesday that mentioned the financial challenges the line is facing.
“Rising operating costs and recurring mechanical problems are making reliable service harder to deliver — our dollars simply aren’t stretching as far as they once did,” according to the statement sent via email by Helen Chavez, Barger’s director of communications. “We must ensure North County commuters maintain access to the most critical Antelope Valley Line service, and I’m committed to working with our partner agencies to identify resources that reinstate lost service as quickly as possible.”
The Antelope Valley Line connects Lancaster through to the SCV, then the San Fernando Valley, ultimately stopping in Downtown Los Angeles.
The proposed cuts — from 30 to 22 weekday trains, and only four weekend trains — drew strong criticism from Santa Clarita Councilwoman Marha McLean.
She said Tuesday the North County Transportation Coalition was drafting a letter of opposition to Metro’s proposed funding changes for Metrolink, ahead of this week’s meeting. The reductions to rail funding are being seen by a number of agencies, including the Orange County Transportation Authority, she said.
“This was discussed at the NCTC, and I vehemently oppose taking away trains from the Antelope Valley line, even though you know they’re doing it on all the lines,” McLean said in a phone conversation Tuesday.
She also wasn’t happy that Metro is cutting its funding for Metrolink — a reduction of more than $2 million, which is part of the budget the agency is expected to approve this week.
Arthur Sohikian, executive director for the coalition, did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday left on his cell phone.
A list of the proposed service changes is available here: tinyurl.com/yykzzxrr. Metrolink’s website for the hearing on service changes is available here: tinyurl.com/5n75xff9.
