Rider Survey
The results are in. This spring, we emailed a survey to 895,068 current and former Metrolink customers to learn more about current ridership patterns. Between March 22 and April 4, 2022 we received 12,666 valid online responses from all six counties within the Metrolink service area. Thank you to all who participated!
Response data was weighted to be proportionally representative of Metrolink ridership. Metrolink takes riders’ privacy seriously and at no point is personal information made public. You can view Metrolink's privacy policy here. We received survey responses from all six counties within the Metrolink service area.
Who is Riding?
Our ridership is changing.
The average age of Metrolink riders in 2022 has increased to 51 yrs. (from 44 yrs. in 2018).
Hispanic/Latinx ridership is up
from 30% in 2018 and 31% in April 2020
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.
