Some capital funds originate from state or federal sources but all operating funds come directly from each of the counties. The counties share the costs of all capital projects in the proportion that each benefit and they pay their share of operating costs based upon train miles operating within their county. Some projects are totally within a single county, for example, a track project in the Newhall area. Other projects, such as track projects between Los Angeles and San Bernardino, are subject to joint funding based upon a cost-sharing agreement worked out between those two counties. Similar agreements are required for the other counties as they share portions of the costs of the six existing Metrolink routes.
Operating costs are also shared.
The current system is equitable and has clearly worked. Alone among the five counties of Metrolink, Ventura County does not have a locally imposed supplemental transportation sales tax to support commuter rail. In March of 1998 daily ridership on this line was 3,608. In March of 1999 daily ridership was 3,750. The fact is that Ventura is unwilling or unable to fund a higher level of service leading to increased ridership.