Onboard Survey Insights
In June 2025, Metrolink conducted its first comprehensive onboard rider survey since 2018. More than 4,300 riders participated, helping us better understand who rides Metrolink, why they ride, and how we can continue improving our service. This survey provides valuable insight into how travel patterns have changed in the post-pandemic era and how we can adapt, informed by customer feedback, to meet the needs of the Southern California communities we serve.
This survey was completed prior to Metrolink’s July 2025 fare restructuring pilot.
Who Is Riding Metrolink?
Metrolink riders are diverse and evolving.
The average age of Metrolink riders in 2022 has increased to 51 yrs. (from 44 yrs. in 2018).
- Younger and older rider segments are growing fastest – A larger share of riders are under 30 and over 65 years of age compared to 2018.
- 40% of riders identify as Hispanic – Now the largest single ethnic group of riders.
- 27% of riders are students – Up from 15% in 2018.
- 27% of riders do not have access to a car – An increase from 17% in 2018.
- 51% of riders speak a language other than English at home, reflecting the diversity of Southern California.
As riders' needs have changed, we continue to listen and adapt.
Since the pandemic started, we have introduced flexible ticket options, like the 5-Day Flex Pass, the 10-Day Flex Pass, the $15 Summer Day Pass, and the Kids Ride Free on weekends program to address the range of incomes and needs of so many of our riders.
Returning and new riders will drive ridership growth.
Returned lapsed riders account for 18% of current ridership.
Another 65% of current ridership reflects riders who have continued to ride Metrolink during the pandemic.
17% of riders have started taking Metrolink during the pandemic.
There are more lower income riders.
Many higher income commuters stopped riding during the pandemic. With non-commuters and seniors representing a larger share of current Metrolink ridership median household income fell to $65,460 (down from $89,130 in 2018).
Antelope Valley Line
San Bernardino Line
Perris Valley Line
Riverside Line
Ventura County Line
Inland Empire / Orange County Line
Orange County Line
SYSTEM
Non-commuters account for nearly half of all trips on Metrolink
Commuters still account for the majority of current Metrolink ridership (52%).
Nearly half of current riders take Metrolink for non-commute trips, such as visiting friends or family or for other leisure trips.
Non-Commuters
The share of non-commute trips more than doubled
Non-commute trips account for half of Metrolink ridership. During the pandemic, Metrolink lost 75% of pre-pandemic commute trips but only 11% of pre-pandemic leisure trips.
Long-term Ridership
Metrolink is constantly innovating and improving to meet the needs of our riders.
That’s probably why so many of them stick with us long-term. Service expansion, on-train amenities, and flexible ticketing options are just some of the ways we continue to evolve.
of current riders have been riding with Metrolink for more than 2 years.
An Optimistic Outlook
Metrolink has never stopped connecting Southern California to a brighter future.
Metrolink has never stopped connecting Southern California to a brighter future. Since the beginning of the pandemic our riders’ outlook has remained positive, and our most recent poll shows even more riders plan to return. And we’ll be ready for you.
In addition to making our trains cleaner and safer than ever, we honored our commitment to the environment, introducing 39 new Tier Four locomotives to our fleet, and implemented our first ever climate action plan to guide us to a zero emissions future.
We can’t wait to see you on the train.
