A ride on a Metrolink train can pack a wallop in the wallet many times greater than the cost of a seat on a light-rail train or an express bus.

That’s changing.

Metrolink, the more luxurious train option for Southern California commuters, is keeping a 25 percent discounted promotional fare at least through 2019 on the commuter rail’s San Bernardino-to-Los Angeles line as a way to draw more riders.

This follows decisions in January 2018 when the board made a discounted fare on the 91/Perris Valley Line the regular fare, and on Jan. 1, 2016 when a promotional fare on the Antelope Valley Line became permanent.

Lower fares are enticing additional riders to the 56.7-mile San Bernardino line that hugs the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains between the Inland Empire and downtown’s Union Station.

For example, an adult round trip ticket between San Bernardino and L.A. that used to cost $26.50 is $20. From Rancho Cucamonga to L.A. a round-trip ticket is $16, down from $21.50. Covina to L.A. and back is $11.50, down from $15.50.

All 7-day and monthly passes cost 25 percent less.

Since the discount fare went into effect July 1, ridership on the San Bernardino line increased by eight percent in August and 10 percent in both September and October compared to 2017, Metrolink spokesman Paul Gonzales reported on Tuesday.

“The theory was if we offered a discount it would attract more people to the service,” Gonzales said.

That’s exactly what happened. Ridership in August 2017 topped 8,748 but shot up to 9.408 in August 2018. September boardings jumped from 9,975 to 11,276. Average ridership from summer to fall increased from 9,690 last year to 10,329 this year, he said.

Discounted fare

In November, the Metrolink board voted to make the promotional fare the regular fare on the San Bernardino Line, which is tied with the Orange County Line for carrying the most riders in the six-county system. The discounted fare applies to all tickets, including senior/disabled/Medicare, active military and student/youth, he said.

“The board needed a funding source,” he said, adding that about $3.2 million comes from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority.

LA Metro will be responsible for 58.6 percent with 41.4 percent from SBCTA. The inland agency’s funding comes from a $2 million Mobile Source Air Pollution Reduction Review Committee grant.

Soon after the LA Metro Gold Line began service in March 2016 from the Azusa-Glendora border to downtown Los Angeles and East L.A. for $1.75 a ride, some Metrolink passengers from Covina, Glendora, San Dimas and Pomona switched to the cheaper light-rail.

LA Metro reported ridership on the Metrolink line had declined 16 percent between 2013 and 2018.

Gonzales would not comment on whether that was the reason the board reduced the fare on the line that runs closest to the LA Metro Gold Line.

He said Metrolink passengers ride longer distances than Gold Line passengers and prefer the smoother ride and softer seats of a Metrolink train. Also, Metrolink trains come equipped with restrooms, while Gold Line trains do not.