Metro Rail is an urban rail transit system serving Los Angeles County, California, United States, consisting of six lines: four light rail lines (the A, C, E, and K lines) and two rapid transit lines (the B and D lines), serving a total of 110 stations. The system connects with the Metro Busway bus rapid transit system (the G and J lines), the Metrolink commuter rail system, as well as several Amtrak lines. Metro Rail is owned and operated by Los Angeles Metro.
Metro Rail has been extended significantly since it started service in 1990, and several further extensions are either in the works or being considered. In , the system had a ridership of or about per weekday as of . Metro Rail operates the busiest light rail system in the United States.
Los Angeles had two previous rail transit systems, the Pacific Electric Red Car and Los Angeles Railway Yellow Car lines, which operated between the late 19th century and the 1960s. The Metro Rail system uses many of their former rights of way, and thus can be considered their indirect successor.
Current system
Lines
In Los Angeles Metro terminology, common with most other metro systems, a line is a named service, defined by a route and set of stations served by trains on that route. (The word does not refer to a physical rail corridor, as it does in New York City Subway nomenclature.)
Metro also uses the same line letter naming system for its Metro Busway services (which are bus rapid transit routes operating in transitways).
Six Metro Rail lines operate in Los Angeles County:
Street-level stations are typically simpler with platforms designed with shade canopies, separated from nearby roads and sidewalks, where passengers can purchase fares and board a train. Free or paid park and ride lots are available at 44 stations and most have bike storage available.
Underground stations are typically larger with a mezzanine level for fare sales and collection above a platform level where passengers board trains. Underground stations and tunnels are designed to resist ground shaking that could occur at a specific location. There is no general magnitude of an earthquake that the entire system is expected to withstand. However, the Metro Rail system has not suffered any damage from earthquakes since its opening in 1990.
Metro Rail uses a proof-of-payment fare system, with Metro's fare inspectors randomly inspecting trains and stations to ensure passengers have a valid fare product on their electronic fare TAP card. When passengers enter a station, they encounter TAP card validators which collect fares when a customer places their card on top. Additionally, fare gates (turnstiles) connected to TAP card validators are at all underground stations, all elevated stations, and some surface stations. Once passengers pass these validators or board a train, they have entered the "fare paid zone", where fare inspectors may check their TAP card to ensure they have a valid fare. Passengers who fail to comply may be penalized and removed from the system.
Rolling stock
Metro Rail maintains two distinct systems of rail: a light rail system and a rapid transit (subway) system, which use incompatible technologies, even though they both use and use 750 V power. Metro's rapid transit lines are powered by third rail, whereas its light rail lines are powered by overhead catenary. Also, the two separate systems have different loading gauge, and platforms are designed to match the separate car widths.
Hours of operation
The Los Angeles Metro Rail system runs for about 19 hours each day between 5:00 am and 11:45 pm. Limited service on particular segments is provided after midnight and before 5:00 am. There is no rail service available between 2:00 am and 3:30 am except on special occasions such as New Year's Eve. Before the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, service operated until approximately 2:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays. The Saturday service after midnight was ended during the pandemic to accommodate train cleaning during those hours.
Service frequency was increased in December 2023 when pandemic conditions were ending. Trains operate more frequently during weekday peak hours and less at other times. During peak hours, the light rail A and E lines run every 8 minutes and the light rail C and K lines run every 10 minutes. The light rail lines operate on 10-minute headways during off-peak periods and weekends. As of April 2026, service frequency was increased on the B and D rapid transit lines with 10-minute headways throughout the day. During early morning hours on weekends and late night hours every day, train frequency on all lines is reduced to every 20 minutes.
Metro plans to increase train frequencies, proposing to further reduce headways on the B, C, D, and K lines in 2025.
Fares and fare collection
The standard Metro base fare applies for all trips. Fare collection is based on a partial proof-of-payment system. At least two fare machines are at each station. Fare inspectors, local police, and deputy sheriffs police the system and cite individuals without proof of payment. Passengers are required to purchase a TAP card to ride Metro Rail. Passengers using a TAP card can transfer between Metro routes for free within 2 hours from the first tap.
Metro introduced daily and weekly fare caps in July 2023, replacing daily, weekly, and monthly passes. With fare capping, the cost of each trip is credited towards the cost of a daily or weekly unlimited pass, automatically ensuring that all passengers pay the lowest fare possible. Due to this, passengers will never pay more than $5 (3 rides) in a day or $18 (11 rides) within seven days; rides are free once the cap is reached. Discounted or free fares are available for seniors, disabled individuals, Medicare recipients, low-income individuals, and students.
The following table shows Metro fares, effective July 1, 2023 (in US dollars):
Ridership
In , the Metro Rail system had a ridership of .
As of , the combined Metro B and D lines averaged a weekday ridership of , making it the ninth busiest rapid transit system in the United States. Taking overall track length into consideration, Metro Rail's rapid transit lines transport 7,960 passengers per route mile, making this the fifth busiest U.S. rapid transit system on a per mile basis, yet at just 70% of pre-pandemic ridership levels. Metro's light rail system is the second-busiest in the United States with average weekday boardings as of . In terms of route length, Metro's light rail system is the largest in the United States.
Security and safety
Half of the Metro Rail's trains and stations are patrolled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department under a law enforcement contract. The Los Angeles Police Department and Long Beach Police Department patrol stations within their respective cities, also under contract. The system is monitored by security personnel through closed-circuit television cameras. Metro Ambassadors are an in-house outreach team to provide a better user experience. They help riders navigate and provide information about the system.
In June 2024, the Metro Executive Board voted 10-0 to create their own transit police force. A cited reason included frustration with a lack of control over the existing contracts. This force is planned to consist of officers, crisis workers, and homelessness outreach teams.
History
thumb|The first operating segment of Los Angeles Metro Rail opened on July 14, 1990, then known as the Blue Line.
In the early 20th century, Southern California had an extensive privately owned rail transit network with over of track, operated by Pacific Electric (Red Cars) and Los Angeles Railway (Yellow Cars). However, from 1927 revenue shortfall caused Pacific Electric to begin replacing lightly used rail lines with buses. In 1958, the remnants of the privately owned rail and bus systems were consolidated into a government agency known as the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority or MTA. By 1963, the remaining rail lines were completely removed and replaced with bus service.
In the following decades, growing traffic congestion led to increased public support for rail transit's return. Beginning in the 1970s, a variety of factors, including environmental concerns, an increasing population, and the price of gasoline led to calls for mass transit other than buses. Los Angeles Metro began construction of the initial lines throughout the 1980s using revenues from a voter-approved increase in sales tax. The Blue (A) Line opened on July 14, 1990, 27 years after the final streetcar line closed. The system has been progressively expanded since. The following table shows this expansion's timeline:
Just before the opening of the Metro Rail, Proposition U passed, which halved the allowable residential density throughout much of Los Angeles. This reduced the viability of the Metro Rail by limiting dense residential housing near transit stations. Before 2000, none of the land near the stations was converted to residential use.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Segment description
!Date opened
!Current line(s)<br />on segment
!Endpoints
!Number of<br />new stations
!Length<br />(miles)
!Construction cost
|-
|Blue Line Initial Segment
|July 14, 1990
|
| –
| style="text-align:right"| 17
| style="text-align:right"| 19.1
|rowspan=3 style="text-align:right"| $2.2 billion
|-
|Blue Line Long Beach Loop
|September 1, 1990
|
| –
| style="text-align:right"| 4
| style="text-align:right"| 2.2
|-
|Blue Line To Financial District
|February 15, 1991
|
| –
| style="text-align:right"| 1
| style="text-align:right"| 0.7
|-
|Red Line MOS-1
|January 30, 1993
|
| –
| style="text-align:right"| 4
| style="text-align:right"| 4.4
| style="text-align:right"| $3.1 billion
|-
|Green Line
|August 12, 1995
|
| –
| style="text-align:right"| 13
| style="text-align:right"| 20.0
| style="text-align:right"| $1.5 billion
|-
|Red Line MOS-2 West
|July 13, 1996
|
| –
| style="text-align:right"| 3
| style="text-align:right"| 2.0
|rowspan=2 style="text-align:right"| $3.4 billion
|-
|Red Line MOS-2 North
|June 12, 1999
| rowspan="2" |
| –
| style="text-align:right"| 5
| style="text-align:right"| 4.7
|-
|Red Line MOS-3
|June 24, 2000
| –
| style="text-align:right"| 3
| style="text-align:right"| 6.3
| style="text-align:right"| $2.3 billion
|-
|Gold Line Initial Segment
|July 26, 2003
|
| –
| style="text-align:right"| 12
| style="text-align:right"| 13.7
| style="text-align:right"| $721 million
|-
|Gold Line Eastside Extension
|November 15, 2009
|
| –
| style="text-align:right"| 8
| style="text-align:right"| 6.0
| style="text-align:right"| $887 million
|-
|Expo Line Phase 1
|April 28, 2012
| rowspan="3" |
|Flower/Washington –
| style="text-align:right"| 8
| style="text-align:right"| 7.6
|rowspan=3 style="text-align:right"| $1.3 billion
|-
|Expo Line To Culver City
| rowspan="2" |June 20, 2012
| –
| style="text-align:right"| 1
| style="text-align:right"| 1.0
|-
|Farmdale station
|
| style="text-align:right"| 1
| style="text-align:right"| –
|-
|Gold Line Foothill Extension Phase 2A
|March 5, 2016
|
| –
| style="text-align:right"| 6
|
| –
| style="text-align:right"| 7
| style="text-align:left;"| –
|
| style="text-align:right;"| <span style="color:red;">-1</span>
| style="text-align:right;"| <span style="color:red;">-0.3</span>
| style="text-align:right"| –
|-
|K Line Initial Segment
|October 7, 2022
|
| –
| style="text-align:right"| 6
| style="text-align:right"| 5.9
|
| –
| style="text-align:right"| 3
| style="text-align:right"| 1.9
| style="text-align:right"| $1.8 billion
|-
|Aviation/Century station
|November 3, 2024
|
|
| style="text-align:right"| 1
| style="text-align:right"| 1.2
| style="text-align:right"| –
|-
|LAX/Metro Transit Center
|June 6, 2025
|
| –
| style="text-align:right"| 1
| style="text-align:right"| 1.2
| style="text-align:right"| $900 million
|-
|Foothill Extension Phase 2B to Pomona
|September 19, 2025
|
| –
| style="text-align: right;" |4
| style="text-align: right;" |9.1
| style="text-align: right;" | $1.5 billion
|-
|D Line Extension Section 1
|May 8, 2026
|
| –
| style="text-align: right;" |3
| style="text-align: right;" |3.9
|-
! colspan="4" style="text-align:right" |Total
! style="text-align:right" |110
! style="text-align:right" |125.1
! style="text-align:right" |$27.4 billion
|}
Planned expansion
Metro has worked to plan and prioritize project funding and implementation. Metro's 2009 Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) was developed to provide a long-term vision of transportation system development for the next 30 years.
Beginning in 2014, Metro saw its ridership numbers begin to decline. Many explanations exist for the decline, including safety concerns, an increase in ride-hailing service usage, low-income housing opportunities drying up in L.A. because of the increase in rents, and a shortage of housing. Ridership declines also coincide with passage of AB 60, signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown in 2013, which provides for issuance of a driver's license regardless of immigration status.
The fiscal changes are the passage of Measure R, a countywide incremental sales tax increase passed by voters in 2008, providing funding for many of the highest priority projects in the LRTP. On November 6, 2012, Metro attempted to pass Measure J, but failed as it did not reach the two-thirds majority needed to pass. In the November 2016 election, Metro decided to place another sales tax on the ballot. The voters then approved Measure M, a half-cent permanent sales tax increase to fund many local projects, including Metro Rail expansion.
In 2018, Metro approved renaming its rail lines using a letter-based scheme, similar to those in New York City. Metro recommended the opening of the refurbished A Line in 2019 as a starting point to rename the lines, and then continuing with the opening of the K line, finishing in time for the opening of the Regional Connector in 2023.
LA Metro also plans to expand Union Station tracks and service. Metro has proposed "Link Union Station" to extend tracks 3-10 as run thru tracks. Phase one is to be completed by 2028. Other phases include adding a California High-Speed Rail platform area, a Southeast Gateway line termini station, and renovate the concourse areas.
Current and priority projects
The following rail projects have been given high priority by Metro. They all appear in the 2009 LRTP constrained plan, With the passage of Measure M in 2016, Metro released an updated Long Range Transportation Plan in February 2017, and released a full report in 2020, along with its Twenty-eight by '28 initiative.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" style="width:15%" |Concept name
! scope="col" style="width:65%" |Description
! scope="col" style="width:05%" |Construction
! scope="col" style="width:05%" |Operational
! scope="col" style="width:05%" |Status
! scope="col" style="width:05%" |Ref.
|-
| D Line Subway Extension Project
|Section 2 extends a further three miles west from La Cienega through Beverly Hills to Century City. Section 3 extends west to Westwood/UCLA and the VA Medical Center. Section 1 opened on May 8, 2026. Sections 2 and 3 are under construction with plans to finish in time for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
| style="text-align:center"| 2015–2027
| style="text-align:center"| 2027 (Section 2) / 2027 (Section 3)
| style="text-align:center; background:#32CD32"| Under construction
|
|-
|East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project
| Constructs a light rail line connecting the east San Fernando Valley to the G Line, largely along the median of Van Nuys Blvd and San Fernando Road. The line will connect with Metrolink and Amtrak at the Van Nuys station and the future Sepulveda Transit Corridor.
| style="text-align:center"| 2024
| style="text-align:center"| 2031
| style="text-align:center; background:#32CD32"| Under construction
|
|-
|Southeast Gateway Line
|Creates a new light rail line connecting Downtown Los Angeles to Artesia and the Gateway Cities, much of it along the West Santa Ana Branch.
| style="text-align:center" | 2025
| style="text-align:center" | 2035
| style="text-align:center; background:#32CD32"| Under construction
|
|-
| Foothill Extension Phase 2B to Claremont
|Further extends the A Line east from to .
| style="text-align:center"| 2027
| style="text-align:center"| 2031
| style="text-align:center; background:#EFC;"|LPA adopted / EIR Completed
|
|-
| Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2
|Further extends the E Line southeast from East Los Angeles to Whittier.
| style="text-align:center"| 2029
| style="text-align:center"| 2035
| style="text-align:center; background:#EFC"| LPA adopted / EIR Completed
|
|-
| K Line Extension to Torrance
|Extends the K Line from its current terminus in Redondo Beach southeast towards Torrance and South Bay cities.
| style="text-align:center"| 2027
| style="text-align:center"| 2036
| style="text-align:center; background:#EFC"| LPA adopted / EIR Completed
|
|-
|Sepulveda Transit Corridor
|An automated heavy rail single-bore tunnel connection between the G Line and the East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor (see above) in the Valley to the D and E lines on the Westside. Existing local funding will provide approximately $5.7 billion for the project for a scheduled opening in the early 2030s; additional funds, including from public–private partnerships, are being sought. Estimated to cost around $24 billion.
| style="text-align:center"| 2033
| style="text-align:center"| 2033–2035 (Phase 1) / 2057–2059 (Phase 2)
| style="text-align:center; background:#EFC"| LPA adopted / EIR in progress
|
|-
| K Line Northern Extension
|Extends the K Line north via a new fully underground alignment connecting the B Line's Hollywood/Highland station south to the D Line, and the K Line's Expo/Crenshaw station via West Hollywood. North–south route would follow Santa Monica Boulevard, thru Beverly Boulevard, down Fairfax, and San Vicente Boulevard.
| style="text-align:center"| 2041
| style="text-align:center"| 2047
| style="text-align:center; background:#EFC"| LPA adopted / Final EIR in progress
|
|-
| Arts District/6th Street station
|Extends the B and D rapid transit lines south from Union Station along the L.A. River to the Arts District, and possibly across the river along Whittier Boulevard to the Eastside. However, Metro is studying the possibility of adding one or two stops along the river in the Arts District as part of a project to improve and expand the rail yard already in the area to accommodate increased headways once the D Line extension west is completed.
| style="text-align:center"| Unknown
| style="text-align:center"| Unknown
| style="text-align:center; background:#fd9"| Draft EIR in progress
|
|-
<!--|North Hollywood-Pasadena Transit Line
|Create a new East/West Bus Rapid Transit route connecting Metro's station in San Gabriel Valley to the North Hollywood station in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley along State Route 134 with possible stops in Eagle Rock, Glendale and Burbank. Metro currently has Measure M and SB-1 state funds to create the line. Projected is set to cost under $267 million to construct. The BRT is expected to begin construction by 2020 and open by 2024 with approximately 13 stations. Part of the Twenty-eight by '28 initiative.
| style="text-align:center"| BRT 2020; LRT Unknown
| style="text-align:center"| BRT 2023; LRT Unknown
| style="text-align:center; background:#fd9"| Three BRT LPA's analysis in progress / Draft EIR in progress
|
|-
|North San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor
|Create a new East/West Bus Rapid Transit route connecting Metro's Chatsworth's Metrolink Station to the North Hollywood station in Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley along Nordhoff Street or Roscoe Boulevard primarily. Once the BRT Line reaches Laurel Canyon Boulevard or Lankershim Boulevard in Sun Valley district in LA, it would proceed south to North Hollywood with possible stations at Strathern Avenue, Saticoy Street, Sherman Way, Vanowen Street, Victory Boulevard, Oxnard Street, and Burbank Boulevard. Metro currently has Measure M funds for project. Project is set to cost under $267 million to construct. The BRT is expected to begin construction by 2021 and open by 2024. Part of the Twenty-eight by '28 initiative. LRT funds are not currently available.
| style="text-align:center"| BRT 2021; LRT Unknown
| style="text-align:center"| BRT 2024; LRT Unknown
| style="text-align:center; background:#fb8"|Various BRT LPA's analysis in progress / Pending Draft EIR for BRT
|
|- -->
| Vermont Transit Corridor
|Create a new north–south route down Vermont Avenue between Wilshire/Vermont station, the Metro E Line and C Line. Included as a Tier 2 Strategic Unfunded Plan project in 2009 Long Range Transportation Plan; a bus rapid transit line has been funded in the near term by Measure M, but studies will be conducted for possible heavy rail rapid transit, as the Vermont corridor is Metro's second busiest public transportation corridor.
| style="text-align:center"| BRT 2020; HRT 2060
| style="text-align:center"| BRT 2028–2030; HRT 2067
| style="text-align:center; background:#fb8"| Three LPA's analysis funded / Pending Draft EIR for BRT
|
|-
| G Line LRT conversion
|Converting the current G Line bus rapid transit route into light rail. Made possible after the 2014 repeal of state legislation prohibiting light rail along the G Line right of way, which had been enacted due to neighborhood opposition in the 1990s. Long term plans include complete conversion in phases with full replacement by 2057. Metro commenced BRT upgrades in 2018 to add grade crossing gates, and two new elevated segments at Van Nuys Bl and Sepulveda Bl, reducing travel time by 20%.
| style="text-align:center"| 2051
| style="text-align:center"| 2057
| style="text-align:center; background:#fb8"| No current funds available for LRT until 2051
|
|-
|Lincoln Boulevard Transit Corridor
|BRT with eventual LRT conversion along Lincoln Boulevard from to . The C Line was originally engineered to maintain compatibility with this extension. Included in City of Los Angeles Westside Mobility Plan, and as a Tier 2 Strategic Unfunded Plan project in 2009 Long Range Transportation Plan.
| style="text-align:center"| BRT 2043; LRT Unknown
| style="text-align:center"| BRT 2047; LRT Unknown
| style="text-align:center; background:#fb8"| No LPA or EIR conducted
|
|-
|North Hollywood to Pasadena Bus Rapid Transit Project
|BRT with potential LRT conversion. Connecting North Hollywood to Memorial Park in Pasadena. Feasibility Study for Rail requested in May 2024.
| style="text-align:center"| BRT 2025; LRT Unknown
| style="text-align:center"| BRT 2027; LRT Unknown
| style="text-align:center; background:#fb8"| No LPA or EIR conducted
|
|}
Other expansion concepts
Metro's Long Range Transportation Plan was published in 2009,
|-
|"Pink Line"/"Silver Line" (former names)
|Union Station and Downtown Los Angeles through Hollywood to Beverly Hills terminating at the under construction D Line Century City station. Stops in or near Silver Lake, Dodger Stadium, Echo Park, West Hollywood, and Century City. Mostly a Sunset Boulevard and Santa Monica Boulevard east–west route. Possibly using the already built B Line tracks through Hollywood or the light rail K Line under consideration in West Hollywood. East of Union Station would head to the City of La Puente or El Monte. With possible stops in East Los Angeles, Cal State LA, San Gabriel and Baldwin Park. No LPAs listed. No funds available. Listed as one of several "Strategic Unfunded Plan" project in the 2009 Long Range Transportation Plan, Tier 2.
|-
| D Line Subway Extension Project Section 4
|Extend the D Line from its under construction western terminus, Westwood/VA Hospital station to Downtown Santa Monica station. No funds available.
|
|-
|Venice Boulevard Corridor
|Restore the Venice Boulevard right of way train service from Venice Beach in the west to the Culver Junction area, possibly heading north on La Brea Avenue to Hollywood or east into Downtown Los Angeles. Would service the Westside and Central Los Angeles. The Pacific Electric Venice Short Line was last used in the 1950s.
|
|}
See also
- Los Angeles Metro
- Los Angeles Metro Rail rolling stock
- Breda A650
- Transportation in Los Angeles
- Measure R
- List of metro systems
- List of tram and light rail transit systems
- List of United States rapid transit systems by ridership
- List of United States light rail systems by ridership
References
External links
- History of the
- Network map (to-scale)
- Google map of Metro Rail/Busway stations
- Go Metro – Rail Map
- Image of the underground construction of Metro Rail system in Los Angeles, California, 1989. Los Angeles Times Photographic Archive (Collection 1429). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.