Los Angeles Metro
On the 1st of February 1993, the California State Legislature signed a bill that dissolved two rival agencies and created the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The Southern California Rapid Transit District had operated since the 18th of August 1964, managing bus services across four counties before divesting outside Los Angeles in the early 1980s. The Los Angeles County Transportation Commission began its work in 1977 to guard all transportation funding for the county. By the 1980s, bickering between these groups threatened progress on major infrastructure projects. The LACTC planned to end the Blue Line at Pico Station instead of connecting it to the 7th Street/Metro Center station being built by the RTD six blocks north. This dispute highlighted the need for a unified agency capable of coordinating subway and light rail construction simultaneously. Metro now develops short-term and long-range solutions for mobility needs while overseeing over 2,000 peak hour buses on business days. The agency employs 10,290 people, making it one of the region's largest employers.
Metro Rail operates two subway lines and four light rail lines covering 107 stations across the county as of recent counts. The A Line runs from Pomona to Long Beach via Downtown Los Angeles, serving the highest ridership among all rail lines. The B Line connects North Hollywood to Downtown Los Angeles through a deep tunnel system. The C Line shares most of its route with the B Line but extends from Mid-Wilshire to Downtown Los Angeles. As of August 2025, this line is currently being extended westward toward Century City. The E Line travels from Santa Monica to East Los Angeles, providing direct access to Los Angeles International Airport via the LAX/Metro Transit Center. The K Line runs between Expo/Crenshaw and Redondo Beach, also offering airport connections. Light rail vehicles used on these lines are articulated, high-floor double-ended cars powered by overhead catenary lines. These trains typically run in two or three car consists using fleets like the Siemens P2000 and Ansaldobreda P2550. Heavy rail subway cars operate on the B and D Lines as electric multiple unit married-pair cars running in four or six car consists.
The Metro Bus system includes 117 routes serving over 11,000 bus stops throughout the Los Angeles Basin and San Fernando Valley. Most lines stop at marked locations approximately every two blocks while limited-stop Rapid services halt only at major intersections. Express services utilize extensive Southern California freeways to provide nonstop service between regional destinations. Two dedicated bus rapid transit lines operate on semi-exclusive roadways built into the freeway system. The El Monte Busway runs in the median of the San Bernardino Freeway and provides express service between Downtown LA and the San Gabriel Valley. The Harbor Transitway operates in the median of the Harbor Freeway connecting San Pedro to Downtown LA. These busways allow vehicles to receive priority at intersections and feature silver livery similar to rail vehicles. As of May 2016, the Busway system recorded over 42,000 daily weekday boardings across its 29 stations. The agency also operates Metro Micro, an on-demand transit service using vans in eight zones around the region. Security for these buses is provided through contracts with local police departments including the LAPD and Long Beach Police Department.
Metro's budget for fiscal year 2020 totaled $7.2 billion derived from a complex mix of federal, state, county, and city tax dollars. Proposition A, C, Measure R, and Measure M each contributed $873 million through half-cent sales taxes. Transportation Development Act funds added another $436.5 million while State Transit Assistance provided $215.8 million. Passenger fares generated $284.5 million and ExpressLanes tolls brought in $58.4 million. Bond proceeds and prior year carryover accounted for $1,408.6 million in total resources. The base fare for all services including local buses and rail stands at $1.75 as of recent data. Daily and weekly fare caps introduced in July 2023 automatically ensure passengers pay the lowest possible rate after reaching certain thresholds. Discounted or free fares are available for seniors, disabled individuals, Medicare recipients, low-income individuals, and students. The GoPass program allows K-12 and community college students to ride unlimitedly for free starting from its pilot launch in 2021. This program became permanent in April 2024 after receiving a one-year extension.
Average daily boardings across all Metro services reached 951,502 on weekdays with 673,216 on Saturdays and 563,136 on Sundays and holidays during 2024. Heavy Rail lines carried 66,638 weekday passengers while Light Rail lines transported 66,745 riders. Bus and BRT services moved 746,464 people on average week days alone. Passenger miles varied significantly by service type with Light Rail generating 535,805 total passenger miles compared to 339,154 for Heavy Rail. The A Line maintains the highest ridership of all rail lines despite having lower operational costs due to efficiency gains. Conversely, the K Line records the lowest ridership among letter-branded lines. Low income riders make up the majority of public transit users which is why increasing their access remains a key performance indicator. Environmental factors also influence project success metrics alongside ridership growth. Security measures introduced in March 2023 include an Ambassador Program where staff wear bright green uniforms to provide information and resolve issues on busy lines.
Day-to-day operations are overseen by Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Wiggins who manages a joint powers authority governed by a board of fourteen members. Thirteen voting members include five Los Angeles County Board Supervisors plus the mayor of Los Angeles. Three additional members appointed by the mayor must include at least one City Council member. Four city council members or mayors from other cities represent specific regions like San Gabriel/Pomona Valley and Westside Cities. One non-voting member appointed by the Governor traditionally serves as Director of Caltrans District 7. Service Councils advise the board on smaller decisions such as bus stop placement and service changes through public hearings. Five regional councils cover Gateway Cities, San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, South Bay, and Westside/Central areas. Each council features political appointees leading local discussions about transportation needs. Staff members sit on boards of other joint powers authorities including LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency and Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority. Current leadership includes Chair Fernando Dutra representing Southeast Long Beach and Vice Chair Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker appointed by the Mayor.
Section 1 of the D Line Extension added three new subway stations at Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax, and Wilshire/La Cienega with construction beginning in 2014. Completion is expected by 2026 for this first phase followed by Section 2 to Century City also finishing around that time. Section 3 extending to Westwood aims to open in 2027. Metro proposes an aerial gondola system connecting Dodger Stadium to Union Station capable of transporting approximately 5,000 people per hour in each direction. This seven-minute ride would link stadium visitors directly to downtown transit hubs while improving nearby State Historic Park facilities. Measure M passed in November 2016 extends a half-cent sales tax into a permanent one-cent tax funding $120 billion over forty years. Projects funded include a streetcar in Downtown Los Angeles and light rail along Van Nuys Boulevard to San Fernando. The agency plans to convert the G Line from Bus Rapid Transit to Light Rail while expanding the A Line eastward to Claremont Metrolink station. Southern extensions reach Torrance Transit Center and Eastern expansions connect Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs. Heavy rail tunnels or monorails may cross the Sepulveda Pass linking the San Fernando Valley to UCLA.
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Common questions
When was the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority created?
The California State Legislature signed a bill creating the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority on the 1st of February 1993. This legislation dissolved two rival agencies to unify transportation management across the county.
How many employees work for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority?
The agency employs 10,290 people making it one of the region's largest employers. These staff members oversee over 2,000 peak hour buses and manage all rail lines throughout the county.
What is the base fare for Los Angeles Metro services as of recent data?
The base fare for all services including local buses and rail stands at $1.75 as of recent data. Daily and weekly fare caps introduced in July 2023 automatically ensure passengers pay the lowest possible rate after reaching certain thresholds.
Who manages day-to-day operations for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority?
Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Wiggins oversees day-to-day operations for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. She manages a joint powers authority governed by a board of fourteen members representing various regional interests.
When will Section 1 of the D Line Extension be completed?
Completion of Section 1 of the D Line Extension is expected by 2026 for this first phase. This section added three new subway stations at Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax, and Wilshire/La Cienega with construction beginning in 2014.