D Line (Los Angeles Metro)

D Line (Los Angeles Metro)
ROTRANSIT · CC BY 4.0 · source
Name	D Line
Caption	A Siemens P2000 train at Wilshire/Western station.
Type	Rapid transit
System	Los Angeles Metro Rail
Status	Operational
Locale	Los Angeles County, California
Start	Wilshire/Western
End	Union Station
Daily ridership	49,200 (Q4 2023)
Open	01 February 1993
Owner	Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Operator	Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Character	Grade-separated
Stock	Siemens P2000
Linelength	6.4 mi
Speed	55 mph

D Line (Los Angeles Metro) is a heavy rail rapid transit line that is part of the Los Angeles Metro Rail system, operated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Running between Wilshire/Western station in Koreatown and Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles, it is one of the system's original lines and a critical north-south corridor. The line is distinguished by its operation in a subway tunnel for its entire length, connecting major employment, cultural, and transportation hubs.

History

The line originated as part of the initial Metro Rail system, opening on February 1, 1993, as the Metro Red Line. Its initial segment ran from Union Station to Westlake/MacArthur Park station, with service later extended to Wilshire/Vermont station in 1996. The line was a product of decades of planning and political debate over subway construction in Los Angeles, overcoming significant opposition and technical challenges related to tunneling through areas with methane gas. In a major system-wide re-branding in June 2020, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority redesignated the Red Line as the D Line, adopting a letter-based naming convention to simplify navigation for riders.

Route and stations

The D Line travels entirely underground along a route. From its northern terminus at the historic Union Station, it proceeds southwest beneath Hill Street, passing beneath the Civic Center and serving Civic Center/Grand Park station. It continues under Hope Street and Grand Avenue, with stations at Pershing Square and 7th Street/Metro Center station, the latter providing a major transfer point to the A and E Lines. The route then turns west under Wilshire Boulevard, serving Westlake/MacArthur Park station, Wilshire/Vermont station, and terminating at Wilshire/Western station in the heart of Koreatown.

Service and operations

The D Line operates approximately 20 hours daily, from around 4:30 AM to 1:30 AM, with trains arriving every 10 minutes during peak periods and every 12-20 minutes during off-peak hours and weekends. It provides a vital link between Downtown Los Angeles and mid-Wilshire districts, with key connections to other Metro Rail lines and numerous Metro Busway and local bus routes. The line consistently ranks among the highest-ridership lines in the system, with an average of 49,200 boardings on an average weekday in the fourth quarter of 2023, underscoring its role as a backbone of the regional transit network.

Rolling stock

Since its opening, the D Line has been served exclusively by Siemens P2000 heavy rail vehicles. These six-car trainsets are capable of operating in fully automated ATO mode under the supervision of a train operator. The fleet shares identical specifications with those operating on the B Line, allowing for maintenance and storage compatibility at the Metro's Division 20 yard. The trains are painted in a solid red livery, a legacy of its former Red Line identity, and are equipped with modern passenger information and safety systems.

Future plans

The most significant expansion is the D Line Extension project, which will extend the subway west beneath Wilshire Boulevard through the Beverly Hills and Century City areas to West Los Angeles. The first phase to La Cienega/Jefferson station is scheduled to open in 2025, with subsequent phases reaching the UCLA campus at Westwood/UCLA station and the VA Hospital by 2027. This multi-billion dollar project, funded in part by Measure R and Measure M, is expected to dramatically increase ridership and transform regional mobility by connecting Downtown Los Angeles to one of the region's largest job centers.

Category:Los Angeles Metro Rail lines Category:Rapid transit in California Category:1993 establishments in California Category:Railway lines opened in 1993