Metro Rail (Los Angeles County)

Metro Rail (Los Angeles County)
Name	Metro Rail
Locale	Los Angeles County, California
Transit type	Rapid transit and light rail
Began operation	July 14, 1990
Operator	Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Vehicles	306
System length	105 mi
Stations	101
Ridership	275,600 (weekday, Q4 2023)
Track gauge	sg (A, B, D, L lines), ussg (C, E, K lines)
El	Third rail, 750 V DC (A, B, D, L lines), Overhead line, 750 V DC (C, E, K lines)

Metro Rail (Los Angeles County) is the rapid transit and light rail system serving Los Angeles County, California, operated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA). The system consists of six lines—four heavy rail and two light rail—spanning over 105 miles and connecting major centers like Downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, Long Beach, and Santa Monica. Since the opening of the Blue Line in 1990, it has grown into a critical component of the region's transportation network, with ongoing expansions aimed at reducing congestion and improving connectivity.

History

The modern system's origins trace to the 1980s, following the dissolution of the Pacific Electric Railway's famed Red Car network. The Los Angeles County Transportation Commission began planning new rail corridors, leading to the groundbreaking for the Blue Line in 1985. Its 1990 opening marked the first modern rail service in the region in decades, followed by the Red Line subway in 1993. Subsequent decades saw the construction of the Green Line, the Gold Line, and the Expo Line, with the system expanding under major voter-approved initiatives like Proposition A and Measure R.

System overview

The network integrates two distinct technologies: heavy rail rapid transit lines (A, B, D, and L) operate primarily in subway tunnels or exclusive rights-of-way, while light rail lines (C and E) often run at-grade or on elevated structures. Key transfer hubs include Union Station, 7th Street/Metro Center, and Wilshire/Western station. The system interfaces with other services like Metrolink commuter rail and the Metro Busway network, including the G Line.

Lines and services

The six operational lines are identified by letters and colors. The A Line (Blue) is the system's longest, running from Azusa to Long Beach. The B Line (Red) and D Line (Purple) form a subway trunk through Downtown Los Angeles to North Hollywood and Koreatown, respectively. The C Line (Green) is an east-west route in the South Bay, while the E Line (Expo) connects Downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica. The L Line (Gold) runs from East Los Angeles to Azusa.

Rolling stock

The heavy rail lines utilize AnsaldoBreda A650 and CRRC HR5000 series cars, which operate on standard-gauge track with third rail electrification. The light rail fleet consists of Kinki Sharyo P3010 and Siemens P2000 and P2550 series vehicles, which use Pennsylvania trolley gauge and draw power from overhead lines. All rolling stock is maintained at central facilities like the Division 20 yard and the El Monte shop.

Future expansion

Major projects are underway, primarily funded by Measure M. The D Line extension is being built westward to Westwood and the VA Hospital near UCLA. The East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project will create a new light rail line along Van Nuys Boulevard. Other planned corridors include the West Santa Ana Branch transit corridor to Southeast Los Angeles and the Airport Metro Connector project linking the C Line to Los Angeles International Airport.

Operations and ridership

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority operates the system, with most lines running from approximately 4:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. daily. Pre-pandemic ridership peaked at over 360,000 average weekday boardings; as of late 2023, weekday ridership was approximately 275,600. The system uses a proof-of-payment fare system, integrated with the TAP card. Security and patrols are provided by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Transit Services Bureau and Metro Transit Security.

Category:Rail transportation in Los Angeles County, California Category:Rapid transit in the United States Category:1990 establishments in California