A Line (Los Angeles Metro)

A Line (Los Angeles Metro)
Name	A Line
Type	Light rail
System	Los Angeles Metro Rail
Status	Operational
Locale	Los Angeles County, California
Start	Azusa / Long Beach
Stations	44
Open	1990 (as Blue Line)
Owner	Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Operator	Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Character	At-grade, elevated, subway
Stock	P2550, P865, P2020
Linelength	48.5 mi
Electrification	750 V DC (overhead catenary)

A Line (Los Angeles Metro)

The A Line is a light rail line in Los Angeles County, California operated by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority connecting Azusa in the San Gabriel Valley with Long Beach on the Los Angeles Harbor. It links major nodes including Pasadena, Downtown Los Angeles, and Watts and interfaces with Metrolink, Amtrak, and multiple Los Angeles Metro Bus corridors. The line evolved from the original Blue Line (Los Angeles Metro) era and is integral to regional transit, serving connections to Union Station, 7th Street/Metro Center station, and El Monte Station.

Overview

The A Line traverses diverse jurisdictions including Los Angeles, Long Beach, Pasadena, South Gate, Huntington Park, and Azusa. It interfaces with heavy rail at Union Station, commuter rail at Metrolink stations, intercity rail at Amtrak facilities, and bus rapid transit along Harbor Freeway and San Gabriel Valley corridors. The line supports transit-oriented development around nodes such as Pico Rivera, Civic Center and cultural anchors near Staples Center and The Broad. Managed by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, it integrates fare systems with the Metro TAP card and regional planning by the Southern California Association of Governments.

Route and stations

The A Line runs north–south and east–west along right-of-way that includes former Pacific Electric Railway corridors and new alignments through Pasadena and South Los Angeles. Major stations include Azusa Downtown, Del Mar station (Pasadena), Fillmore station (Pasadena), Sierra Madre Villa station, Old Pasadena station, Memorial Park, Allen station (Pasadena), Lake Station (Long Beach), Pico Station (Long Beach), and Pacific Coast Highway station (Long Beach). In Downtown Los Angeles the line serves 7th Street/Metro Center station, Pico, Pershing Square station, and proximate interchanges at Pershing Square and Little Tokyo/Arts District. Right-of-way types include at-grade sections near Watts Towers, elevated structures over Florence Avenue, and subterranean segments adjacent to 7th Street and Figueroa Street.

Operations and rolling stock

Service is provided by Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority staff using light rail vehicles including the AnsaldoBreda P2550 series and legacy Nippon Sharyo P865 and P2020 cars manufactured by Nippon Sharyo and Kinki Sharyo partners. Trains operate with headways varying by peak and off-peak schedules coordinated with Southern California Regional Rail Authority timetables at transfer points. Power is supplied via 750 V DC overhead catenary consistent with other Los Angeles Metro Rail lines, and maintenance is conducted at yards such as the Division 11 facility and storage adjacent to former Pacific Electric shops. Operations adhere to safety regulations from the California Public Utilities Commission and coordination with Los Angeles Police Department transit units.

History and development

The A Line traces its heritage to the Pacific Electric Railway interurban network and the mid‑20th century streetcar routes that served Los Angeles County. Initial modern construction opened in 1990 as the Blue Line, connecting Downtown Los Angeles and Long Beach; subsequent projects included the Gold Line northeastern extension to Pasadena and later connections to Azusa. Renovations and a systemwide rebranding converted the Blue Line to the current A Line designation under a network simplification by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Major capital projects involved federal funding from the Federal Transit Administration, state grants from Caltrans, and local ballot measures such as Measure R and Measure M.

Ridership and performance

Ridership historically ranks among the highest for light rail in the United States, with peak daily boardings concentrated at 7th Street/Metro Center station and Long Beach Transit Mall interchanges. Performance metrics include on-time performance reported to the Federal Transit Administration and safety incident records coordinated with the National Transportation Safety Board following any major events. Service reliability and crowding have prompted scheduling adjustments, fleet acquisitions from Nippon Sharyo and AnsaldoBreda, and station improvements funded through regional partnerships with Southern California Association of Governments and municipal redevelopment agencies.

Future plans and extensions

Planned investments affecting the A Line include capacity upgrades funded under Measure M, grade separation projects near Watts and Florence, and potential infill stations coordinated with City of Long Beach and City of Pasadena planners. Regional integration efforts aim to improve transfers with Metrolink corridors, Amtrak services, and bus rapid transit initiatives linked to Harbor Transitway and El Monte Busway. Long-range studies by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Southern California Association of Governments consider extended frequencies, fleet modernization in partnership with manufacturers like Kinki Sharyo and Nippon Sharyo, and transit-oriented development near stations in Azusa, Old Pasadena, and Long Beach.

Category:Los Angeles Metro Rail lines