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FOR WHOM THE TRAIN RUNS:

AN EXAMINATION OF THE INCOME STATUS OF METROLINK RIDERS & SERVICE AREA


ANDREW REKER G I S & P RO B L E M S O LV I N G - P P D 2 3 5 M O N DAY, M A RC H 11, 2 013

RESEARCH QUESTION
Looking at On-board Survey results, a trend was noticed: Income distribution of Metrolink riders skews lower than at other commuter rail agencies. Why?

RESEARCH QUESTION
HH Inc Categories ($000s) 50< Metrolink Caltrain Metra MBTA 19% 29% 29% 40% 50-100 38% 28% 100< 33% 43% 50% 41%

VRE

4%

23%

73%

RESEARCH QUESTION
HH Inc Categories ($000s) 100< Metrolink Caltrain Metra MBTA 33%

VRE

RESEARCH QUESTION
HH Inc Categories ($000s) 100< Metrolink Caltrain Metra MBTA 33% 43%

VRE

RESEARCH QUESTION
HH Inc Categories ($000s) 100< Metrolink Caltrain Metra MBTA 33% 43% 50%

VRE

RESEARCH QUESTION
HH Inc Categories ($000s) 100< Metrolink Caltrain Metra MBTA 33% 43% 50% 41%

VRE

RESEARCH QUESTION
HH Inc Categories ($000s) 100< Metrolink Caltrain Metra MBTA 33% 43% 50% 41%

VRE

73%

PROJECT OBJECTIVES
System level analysis of populations served by three commuter rail agencies:

Boston

Chicago

Los Angeles

DATA & METHODS


Data come from:

Line & Station Data Metrolink City of Chicago State of Massachusetts US Census American Community Survey Longitudinal Employment-Housing Dynamics Survey

DATA & METHODS


Data come from:

US Census American Community Survey Longitudinal Employment-Housing Dynamics Survey Information on location of medium-high income groups Individual incomes of $3,333+/month ($40,000/annum) Aggregated by Census Block Two sets of data: Home Block and Work Block

DATA & METHODS


Methods:

Density of Middle-High Income Home versus Work Locations

RESULTS
Metrolink does not serve the areas with highest concentrations of middle to high income people. Westside of Los Angeles South Bay of Los Angeles Metrolink serves locations with high concentrations of middle to high income jobs But continues to miss some significant job centers

Southern California Home Location Density

Southern California Work Location Density

Westside Los Angeles Home Location Density

Westside Los Angeles Work Location Density

NEXT STEPS & RECOMMENDATIONS


Next Steps Additional maps for Boston & Chicago Central Business District/Downtown area characteristics Industry?

NEXT STEPS & RECOMMENDATIONS


For Metrolink: Fare Policy Fare changes might affect ridership more Fares for lower-income groups should be developed or protected Service Planning Times of day or services more likely that lower-middle income groups use Outreach Examine which community groups are included in outreach plans (additional out reach to groups which include lower-income groups in membership)

INCOME DISTRIBUTIONS
MetrolinkRidership Low Income * Low-Mid * Mid-High MetrolinkHome 755,656 20.6% 1,424,338 38.1% 1,559,072 41.6% 3,738,975 MetrolinkWork 809,415 19.7% 1,519,976 37.0% 1,773,134 43.2% 4,102,525 RegionHome 1,216,855 20.0% 2,237,395 36.7% 2,638,110 43.3% 6,092,360 Region-Work 1,452,311 19.8% 2,680,123 36.6% 3,198,042 43.6% 7,330,476

71%
Total Pop

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