Higher fares likely for Metrolink rail system

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A Metrolink passenger train car arrives at the downtown Riverside station.

Metrolink’s board of directors gave preliminary approval on Friday to a fare increase for the commuter rail system.

The board members decided to move forward with budget actions that anticipate a decline of $4.1 million in operating revenue in the fiscal year that begins in July. They signed off on a system-wide average fare increase of 6 percent — a hike of about 33 cents a ride.

The Metrolink board also voted to trim an existing discount on 10-trip tickets and cancel it on round-trip tickets. But the board scaled back a plan to eliminate a dozen runs a day. Now, the proposal is to cut just four: the San Bernardino Line midday trains 306 and 323 and Ventura County Line trains 105 and 114.

The board’s scheduled to consider and approve a final budget in June. If that happens, the fare increase and the service cuts will take effect on July 1.