Promotions Fail to Add to MetroLink Ridership

Daily ridership on MetroLink commuter trains remained steady through last month, despite a series of promotions aimed at increasing the number of daily passengers, officials from the Ventura County Transportation Commission said.

About 2,800 people rode the four passenger trains from Ventura County stations into the San Fernando Valley and beyond each weekday, officials said.

In addition, more than 15,000 people rode the trains from east Ventura County to the Ventura platform at the county fairgrounds during the county fair, officials said.

Another 746 people took advantage of free rides to the recent California Beach Party in Ventura, a good amount considering the limited publicity the pilot program generated, commission officials said.

MetroLink officials distributed more than 25,000 “starter kits” to households within the commuter trains’ ridership area in an effort to increase the number of daily passengers.

The kits contained schedules and four free tickets.

Also, MetroLink officials are designing a site on the World Wide Web as another way to increase interest and ridership.

The commuter train system will celebrate its fourth anniversary Oct. 26. Free cake will be distributed to MetroLink riders Oct. 25 to commemorate the occasion.