New personal care attendant identification card replaces free ride program

LOS ANGELES - In June 2013, the Metrolink Board of Directors voted to change the personal care attendant (PCA) free ride policy. In lieu of purchasing a ticket, PCA's can obtain a PCA ID Card at an annual cost of $25. The PCA ID Card allows for a PCA to accompany a person with a disability without purchasing a ticket. PCAs who do not obtain a PCA ID Card are required to purchase a ticket to board the train.Implementation of this policy began on March 3.

This policy change does not change the program Metrolink has with Access in LA County. Access, the service name of the Americans with Disabilities Act Complementary Paratransit service for functionally disabled individuals in Los Angeles County, issues identification badges to persons needing assistance (PNAs), who then are qualified to ride Metrolink for at no cost to the rider.

A PCA ID Card is honored in lieu of a Metrolink ticket only while the PCA is accompanying a passenger with a disability during the duration of their trip onboard Metrolink trains, otherwise appropriate fare is required. Only one (1) PCA is allowed per passenger, but passengers have the ability to obtain multiple identification cards if they utilize more than one PCA, while PCAs also have the ability to obtain multiple identification cards if they assist more than one person. Additional PCAs assisting the same person receive a discount ($15 rather than $25) as long as all PCAs for a person with a disability submit applications at the same time.

A detailed explanation of the program can be found here, while with the application for the identification card can be found here.

The possibility of Metrolink changing its fare policies for PCAs was a part of a comprehensive public outreach between May 17 and June 14, 2013. Metrolink asked the public to give feedback regarding the possible policy through letters, emails, online comments and at five public meetings throughout its service area. Metrolink also implemented a seat drop on trains of more 16,000 letters between May 20-22, 2013. Information regarding the possible change was also posted on station signage at all 55 Metrolink stations. Prior to the commencement of the new policy, Metrolink has been informing impacted passengers through social media messaging, literature distribution to riders, signage at ticket machine and ticket windows, and outreach to organizations representing the disabled community.

For additional details on Metrolink, please visit www.metrolinktrains.com .

ABOUT METROLINK (www.metrolinktrains.com)

Metrolink is Southern California's regional commuter rail service in its 21^st year of operation. The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA), a joint powers authority made up of an 11-member board representing the transportation commissions of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties, governs the service. Metrolink operates over seven routes through a six-county, 512 route-mile network. Metrolink is the third largest commuter rail agency in the United States based on directional route miles and the eighth largest based on annual ridership.

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